RESUMEN
Continuous exposure of cattle to summer heat in the absence of shade results in significant hyperthermia and impairs growth and general health. Reliable predictors of heat strain are needed to identify this condition. A 12-day study was conducted during a moderate summer heat period using 12 Angus x Simmental (Bos taurus) steers (533 ± 12 kg average body weight) to identify animal and ambient determinations of core body temperature (T(core)) and respiration rate (RR) responses to heat stress. Steers were provided standard diet and water ad libitum, and implanted intraperitoneally with telemetric transmitters to monitor T(core) hourly. Visual count of flank movement at 0800 and 1500 hours was used for RR. Dataloggers recorded air temperature (T(a)), and black globe temperatures (T(bg)) hourly to assess radiant heat load. Analysis was across four periods and 2 consecutive days averaged within each period. Average T(a) and T(bg) increased progressively from 21.7 to 30.3°C and 25.3 to 34.0°C, respectively, from the first to fourth periods. A model utilizing a quadratic function of T(a) explained the most variation in T(core) (R(2) = 0.56). A delay in response from 1 to 3 h did not significantly improve R(2) for this relationship. Measurements at 0800 and 1500 hours alone are sufficient to predict heat strain. Daily minimum core body temperature and initial 2-h rise in T(a) were predictors of maximum core temperature and RR. Further studies using continuous monitoring are needed to expand prediction of heat stress impact under different conditions.
Asunto(s)
Regulación de la Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Bovinos/fisiología , Calor/efectos adversos , Animales , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/etiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/fisiopatología , Clima , Ambiente , Trastornos de Estrés por Calor/etiología , Trastornos de Estrés por Calor/fisiopatología , Trastornos de Estrés por Calor/veterinaria , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , Luz Solar , Telemetría/veterinariaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cattle exposed to heat stress alone or heat stress while consuming endophyte-infected fescue (EIF) have lower whole-blood (WB) concentrations of glutathione (GSH). ANIMALS: 10 Simmental cows. PROCEDURE: Cows were sequentially exposed to thermoneutral (TN; 2 weeks; 18 C, 50% relative humidity [RH]), heat stress (HS; 2 weeks; alternating 4-hour intervals at 26 and 33 C; 50% RH), and heat stress while consuming EIF (10 microg of ergovaline/kg/d; 2 weeks, HS + EIF). Blood samples were collected after each period and tested for GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations. RESULTS: Feed consumption was similar when data were analyzed for time points at which WB concentrations of GSH or GSSG were determined. However, significant effects of treatment, cow, days exposed to heat, cow-by-treatment interaction, and treatment-by-days exposed to heat interaction were detected when data were considered simultaneously. Mean +/- SD hematocrit for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 35.3+/-3, 33.3+/-2, and 37.1+/-3%, respectively. Mean WBGSH concentrations for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 3.2+/-0.65, 2.7+/-0.62, and 2.4+/-0.56 mmol/L of RBC, respectively. Reduced WBGSH concentrations were associated with reduced feed intake during the later part of each heat period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decreased GSH and increased GSSG concentrations were evident during heat stress, especially when cattle consumed EIF These were associated with reduced feed intake during heat stress. Heat stress, reductions in feed intake, and thermoregulatory effects of EIF may induce oxidative stress in cattle.