Abstract
Simple SummaryEvaluation of Fogera cattle breed during the different seasons would help to determine their response to heat stress. This would assist in designing intervention strategies for the anticipated climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to determine physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters of Fogera cattle calves to heat stress in different seasons. We observed that the heart rate and respiration rate were increased by six beats per minute and four breaths per minute when the temperature-humidity index increased from 66 to 78, respectively. The positive relationship between the temperature–humidity index and physiological parameters further confirms that calves were good at thermoregulation at a temperature–humidity index value of 66. Thus, the temperature-humidity index value of 66 can be considered as optimum for high weight gain and normal physiological response to heat stress in Fogera cattle calves under their current production system. However, some more amelioration strategies such as better nutrition, availability of shade, and routine health management practice will further strengthen the resilience of the breed to heat stress in the future.Fogera cattle are among indigenous breeds of cattle in the northern part of Ethiopia. However, their response to heat stress (HS) under different seasonal variations has not been well investigated. This study was aimed to determine physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters of Fogera cattle calves to HS during dry season, short rainy, and long rainy. A total of 72 calves (24 for each season) that were 6 months of age with an equal number of males and females were evaluated for physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters. Daily ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded two times per day during the study periods from which the daily average temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated. The study revealed higher AT and THI during dry and short seasons while higher RH was observed during the long rainy season. Physiological parameters except rectal temperature were affected by the seasons. Hematological parameters were also affected by season except for packed cell volume. Biochemical and growth parameters were also significantly affected by the seasons. THI was positively related with physiological but negatively with growth parameters. Thus, the THI value of 66 can be considered as optimum for high weight gain and normal physiological response to HS in Fogera cattle calves under their current production system.
Highlights
Cattle are generally the livestock species most susceptible to water and nutritional stresses engendered by climate change [1]
It was reported that dairy calves born in summer tended to have a lower average daily gain (ADG) than those born in winter [2].As calves consume agiven volume of milk or milk replacer and starter ad libitum daily, the main effect of heat stress (HS) on dry matter intake (DMI) for calves might lie in the starter [3]
Nonaka et al [5] found that daily dry matter intake and ADG of prepubertal Holstein heifers at 33 ◦ C environment dropped by 9% and 22%, respectively, compared to those raised at 28 ◦ C environment
Summary
Cattle are generally the livestock species most susceptible to water and nutritional stresses engendered by climate change [1]. High ambient temperature (AT) in combination with relative humidity (RH) compromises the animals’ ability to lose heat to the surroundings resulting in heat stress (HS). HS exerts a negative effect on the dry matter intake (DMI) and growth performance of calves and heifers. Baccari et al [4] reported that lower feed intake, ADG, and feed efficiency of Holstein heifers under HS conditions (32.5–34 ◦ C environment) compared with cooler conditions (18–20 ◦ C environment). Nonaka et al [5] found that daily dry matter intake and ADG of prepubertal Holstein heifers at 33 ◦ C environment dropped by 9% and 22%, respectively, compared to those raised at 28 ◦ C environment
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