Metabolomics Reveals that Crossbred Dairy Buffaloes Are More Thermotolerant than Holstein Cows under Chronic Heat Stress

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) threatens the worldwide dairy industry by decreasing animal production performance and health. Holstein cows and dairy buffaloes are the most important dairy animals, but their differences in the metabolic mechanism of thermotolerance remain elusive. In this study, we used serum metabolomics to evaluate the differences in thermotolerance between Holstein cows and crossbred dairy buffaloes under chronic heat stress (HS) and thermal-neutral conditions. In response to HS, the body temperatures and respiratory rates were increased more for Holstein cows than for dairy buffaloes (38.78 vs 38.24 °C, p < 0.001; 43.6 vs 32.5 breaths/min, p < 0.001). HS greatly affected serum metabolites associated with amino acids, fatty acids, and bile acids. The enriched metabolic pathways of these serum metabolites are closely related to HS. We demonstrated that buffaloes adapt to HS by adopting a metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and ketogenic amino acids and gluconeogenesis, but Holstein cows decrease the effect of HS with citrulline and proline metabolism. Both physiological parameters and serum metabolic profiles indicate that dairy buffaloes are more thermotolerant than Holstein cows, providing the feasibility to vigorously develop the buffalo dairy industry in tropical and subtropical regions.

Investigating the Short-Term Effects of Cold Stress on Metabolite Responses and Metabolic Pathways in Inner-Mongolia Sanhe Cattle

“…Indeed, the relationship between their concentration and stress has been previously reported in rats under foot shock [51] and psychological stress [52]. Additionally, the serum levels of creatine and creatinine, which play important roles in energy balance when animals have high energy requirements [53], were higher after exposure to cold stress in our study. Therefore, cold stress induced the increased concentrations in those amino acids, and their intermediate products indicate that the metabolism of amino acids has been derived following a period of severe cold stress.…”

Methyl-Donor Micronutrient for Gestating Sows: Effects on Gut Microbiota and Metabolome in Offspring Piglets

“…Notably, bile acid metabolites (cholic acid, dopamine, bilirubin, and 1-methylnicotinamide) were increased in 14- or 21-day offspring of sows in the CON group. The increase in bile acid metabolites could be caused by reduced reabsorption in the intestine ( 57 ). Bile acids (BAs) play an important role in the intestines, facilitating fat digestion and the absorption of lipids and liposoluble vitamins.…”

Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in the 5′ Flanking Region of the HSP70 Gene with Blood Biochemical Parameters of Lactating Holstein Cows under Heat and Cold Stress

“…Heat-stressed cows showed increased gluconeogenesis as compared to TNZ conditions [55], and presumably increased utilization of LA and alanine for glucose synthesis [21,55,56]. Besides the animals dissipating heat through panting and sweating during heat stress that results in dehydration [57], the increase in LA may also be due to decreased blood volume as a result of dehydration and lower blood flow toward the muscle during heat stress [58]. Heat stress induces oxidative stress that stimulates certain body defense mechanisms and increase oxidative stress-related biomarkers such as SOD in order to scavenge free radicals [59].…”