Genetic assessment of rectal temperature and coat score in Brahman, Angus, and Romosinuano crossbred and straightbred cows and calves under subtropical summer conditions

Riley, David G.; Chase, C. C.; Coleman, S. W.; Olson, T. A.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2012.05.017

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The heritability for body temperature under low THI conditions (0.32) was slightly higher than that of body temperature under high (0.26) THI conditions. These heritability estimates are similar to those reported for rectal temperature in a Brahman × Angus crossbred population (0.19; Riley et al, 2012) and dairy cattle (0.17; Dikmen et al, 2012). Both studies utilized cattle located in Florida.…”

Section: Heritabilitiessupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Both studies utilized cattle located in Florida. The heritabilities estimated in this study may be slightly higher than those in Dikmen et al (2012) and Riley et al (2012) due to the use of vaginal temperature rather than rectal temperature and the use of heifers rather than cows. The values of heritability estimated in this study indicate a large, exploitable genetic variance which can be used in selection programs to improve heat tolerance in cattle.…”

Section: Heritabilitiescontrasting

confidence: 56%

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Genetic parameters for hair characteristics and core body temperature in a multibreed Brahman–Angus herd1

Davila

Hamblen

Hansen

et al. 2019

Journal of Animal Science

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Thermal stress in hot humid conditions limits cattle production. The objectives for this study were to estimate genetic parameters for hair characteristics and core body temperature under low and high temperature humidity index (THI) conditions. Hair samples were collected and measured for length and diameter. Core body temperature was measured as vaginal temperature every 15 min over a 5-d period using an iButton temperature measuring device implanted in a blank CIDR in 336 heifers from the University of Florida multibreed herd (ranging from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman). Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to estimate heritabilities from multiple bivariate animal models using the WOMBAT program. Estimates of heritability for hair diameter, undercoat length, topcoat length, body temperature under low THI conditions, and body temperature under high THI conditions were 0.50, 0.67, 0.42, 0.32, and 0.26, respectively. The genetic parameters estimated in this study indicate a large, exploitable genetic variance which can be selected upon to improve tolerance in cattle. Breed effects for differing compositions of Brahman and Angus were also estimated. As Brahman breed composition increased by 25% undercoat length, topcoat length, body temperature under low THI conditions, and body temperature under high THI conditions decreased by 1.32 mm, 2.94 mm, 0.11 °C, and 0.14 °C, respectively. Under both low and high THI conditions, cattle with 25% Brahman breed composition or greater maintained a significantly lower body temperature than the 100% Angus breed group. The incorporation of Brahman germplasm is recommended for herds that often experience heat stress conditions in order to increase resilience to heat stress.

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Section: Heritabilitiessupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Heritabilitiescontrasting

confidence: 56%

Genetic parameters for hair characteristics and core body temperature in a multibreed Brahman–Angus herd1

Davila

Hamblen

Hansen

et al. 2019

Journal of Animal Science

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show abstract

“…Similarly, the more extreme slick-hair phenotype observed in dairy cattle (Olson et al, 2003;Dikmen et al, 2008) was shown to confer superior thermoregulation. Riley et al (2012) found a low positive genetic correlation between rectal temperature and coat score in Brahman cattle. A smooth coat can minimize heat gained from the sun by providing greater resistance to heat transfer to the skin (Finch, 1986).…”

Section: Coat Score Chute Score and Bwmentioning

confidence: 89%

Thermoregulatory response of Brangus heifers to naturally occurring heat exposure on pasture

Hamblen

Hansen

Zolini

et al. 2018

Journal of Animal Science

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Heat stress is a cause of major economic losses to cattle producers, especially in tropical and subtropical environments. The objectives of this study were to assess the phenotypic variability in core body temperature and sweating rate and to evaluate the effect of coat type, temperament, and BW on core body temperature and sweating rate in Brangus heifers. During August and September of 2016, 725 Brangus heifers were evaluated on pasture in four separate groups (n = 200, 189, 197, and 139). Environmental measurements of dry bulb temperature (Tdb) and relative humidity (RH) were measured every 15 min during the entire time of data collection and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was used to quantify heat-stress potential. Coat score, sweating rate, chute score, exit score, and live weight were recorded as the animals passed through the chute. Vaginal temperature was recorded every 5 min for five consecutive days. There was significant variation in vaginal temperature between heifers in the same environmental conditions (σ2u = 0.049), suggesting opportunities for selective improvements. A repeatability of 0.47 and 0.44 was estimated for sweating rate and vaginal temperature, respectively, suggesting that one measurement would be able to adequately describe the sweating capacity or ability to control the body temperature of an individual. Vaginal temperature increased as THI increased, with approximately 1 h lag time in the animal's response. Vaginal temperature (-0.047 °C, P = 0.015) and sweating rate were lower (-5.49 ± 2.12 g/(m2·h), P < 0.01) for heifers that demonstrated a calmer behavior in the chute. Animals with shorter, smoother hair coats had significantly lower vaginal temperatures when compared to animals with longer hair coats (P < 0.01). Also, heavier heifers in this study maintained lower (P < 0.0001) vaginal temperature than the lighter heifers. Our results showed that hair coat, temperament, and weight influenced vaginal temperature regulation.

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“…Coat characteristics influence the heat transfer, absorption or reflection by the cattle's skin to the environment (Magona et al 2009;Riley et al 2012). Darkcoloured animals absorb more heat than lighter-coloured animals (Bernabucci et al 2010); consequently, a warm skin surface attracts ticks (Fraga et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation in coat characteristics, tick loads, cortisol levels, some physiological parameters and temperature humidity index on Nguni cows raised in low- and high-input farms

2014

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Seasonal variations in hair length, tick loads, cortisol levels, haematological parameters (HP) and temperature humidity index (THI) in Nguni cows of different colours raised in two low-input farms, and a commercial stud was determined. The sites were chosen based on their production systems, climatic characteristics and geographical locations. Zazulwana and Komga are low-input, humid-coastal areas, while Honeydale is a high-input, dry-inland Nguni stud farm. A total of 103 cows, grouped according to parity, location and coat colour, were used in the study. The effects of location, coat colour, hair length and season were used to determine tick loads on different body parts, cortisol levels and HP in blood from Nguni cows. Highest tick loads were recorded under the tail and the lowest on the head of each of the animals (P < 0.05). Zazulwana cows recorded the highest tick loads under the tails of all the cows used in the study from the three farms (P < 0.05). High tick loads were recorded for cows with long hairs. Hair lengths were longest during the winter season in the coastal areas of Zazulwana and Honeydale (P < 0.05). White and brown-white patched cows had significantly longer (P < 0.05) hair strands than those having a combination of red, black and white colour. Cortisol and THI were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in summer season. Red blood cells, haematoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volumes, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly different (P < 0.05) as some associated with age across all seasons and correlated to THI. It was concluded that the location, coat colour and season had effects on hair length, cortisol levels, THI, HP and tick loads on different body parts and heat stress in Nguni cows.

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Genetic assessment of rectal temperature and coat score in Brahman, Angus, and Romosinuano crossbred and straightbred cows and calves under subtropical summer conditions

Cited by 24 publications

References 33 publications

Genetic parameters for hair characteristics and core body temperature in a multibreed Brahman–Angus herd1

Genetic parameters for hair characteristics and core body temperature in a multibreed Brahman–Angus herd1

Thermoregulatory response of Brangus heifers to naturally occurring heat exposure on pasture

Seasonal variation in coat characteristics, tick loads, cortisol levels, some physiological parameters and temperature humidity index on Nguni cows raised in low- and high-input farms

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