Effects of Seasonal Heat Stress during Late Gestation on Growth Performance, Metabolic and Immuno-Endocrine Parameters of Calves

Abstract

Heat stress during late gestation could affect subsequent lactation performance, resulting in damage to the immune function, health, and growth performance of calves. This study aimed to compare the effects of 33 days of summer stress (Summer group, 70.15 < THI < 74.28) with 33 days of winter during late gestation (Winter group, 57.55 < THI < 67.25) on the growth, hormones, oxidative stress, and immune function of calves. Calves (Summer, n = 28; Winter, n = 23) were separated from cows immediately after birth and fed with 2 L colostrum within 2 h and 8–10 h after birth, respectively, and weaned at 60 days of age. Bodyweight (BW) was measured at birth and weaning. Withers height (WH), body length, and chest girth were measured at birth, 30 days, and 60 days of age. The health of calves ranging in age from 1 to 7 days was recorded. Plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ), superoxide dismutase (SOD), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), IgG, cortisol, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), growth hormone (GH), insulin, lipid peroxide (LPO), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured in calves at 0 (before colostrum feeding), 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days of age. The pregnancy period of the Summer group was shortened by 1.44 days. The Winter and Summer groups had the same birth weight. One week after birth, the incidence of diarrhea was 57.14% and 21.74% in Summer and Winter groups, respectively. Compared with the Winter group, TNF-α in the Summer group increased significantly before colostrum feeding. ACTH and LPO decreased significantly at 3 days of age, ACTH and TNF-α decreased significantly at 7 days of age, Hsp70 increased significantly, ACTH was significantly reduced at 14 days of age, and Hsp70 increased dramatically at 7 days of age. SOD and TNF-α increased statistically at 28 days of age, LPO decreased significantly, and IFN-γ decreased significantly at 56 days of age, while IgG and GH increased significantly. We conclude that maternal heat stress during late gestation can damage the oxidative stress and immune plasma indexes of offspring before weaning.

Analysis of CircRNA Expression in Peripheral Blood of Holstein Cows in Response to Heat Stress

“…We also found that heat stress had a significant effect on milk yield. It has been shown that cow milk production in the heat-stressed group decreased by about 10–20% compared to the group under appropriate temperature conditions [ 28 , 29 ], which is consistent with our results. These results reveal that Holstein cows in Beijing were undergoing severe temperature stress in July.…”

Indicators of Immunity in Associated Mycotoxicosis of Cows

“…This indicates a more effective increase in immunoglobulins when using recombinant α-, g-interferons compared to the use of a feed additive based on zeolite and organic acids through the activation of immunocompetent organs of the body. Similar data were obtained by the authors in a study on calves (Tang et al, 2022) Dynamics of IgA content in cow blood serum. The level of IgA in the blood serum of healthy cows (Group 1) ranged within 2.25-3.11 g/l.…”

Assessing Serum Vaspin Dynamics in Dairy Cows during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation in Relation to Negative Energy Balance

“…Dairy cows with NEFA levels of approximately 0.6 mM are thought to be increased, particularly in the vicinity of calving and maybe at DIM 30, because of the metabolic alterations and negative energy balance that are commonly seen during this time. NEFA levels can rise as a result of body fat stores being continuously mobilized to fulfill energy demands, indicating metabolic stress and perhaps raising health concerns for cows [36]. Furthermore, after calving, serum vaspin concentrations dropped in both groups.…”