Influence Of Temperature-humidity Index Research Articles

THE INFLUENCE OF SOME CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION IN BEEF OF DAIRY COWS

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the temperature humidity index (THI) on the efficiency of estrus synchronization on both beef and dairy cows. The research was carried out at APC "Azamat" of the Beskaragai district of the East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The natural and climatic conditions of this zone make it possible to raise both beef and dairy cattle. The study involved 408 Kazakh white-headed cows aged 3 to 5 year.
 During the experimental period, the data for air temperature (T), relative humidity (φ), wind speed (υ) were collected, and the temperature humidity index (THI) was determined. The data was recorded for 30 days (10 days before synchronization, 10 days during synchronization and 10 days after synchronization). In addition, during the synchronization period, clinical parameters - body temperature (t), pulse (P), respiratory rate (Re) and rumination (R) were measured daily in 10% of animals by conventional methods.
 During the experimental period (2020-2022) THI was 74,50±1,31, 78,20±2,11, 72,80±0,7210 days before the estrus synchronization. When THI was increased by 5.6±0.03 in 2021 compared to 2020, the fertility decreased by 9.7±0.78. Similarly, when THI was increased by 7.3 ± 0.56 compared to 2022, fertility was reduced by 13.8 ± 0.36. The latter indicates that when THI increases the fertility rate decreases.
 Based on the results, there is an influence of THI on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization. Increased THI, to a certain extent, reduces both estrus expression and effectiveness of estrus synchronization leading to reduced fertility rate and increased embryonic mortality.

Influence of temperature-humidity index on conception rate of Nelore embryos produced in vitro in northern Brazil.

Considering the high temperatures that the tropical climate provides to most of Brazil and the effects of thermal stress on reproductive processes, the objective of the present study was to analyze, in the warmer months of 2016, conception rates of Nelore bovine embryos in Acre state. For this purpose, oocytes were aspirated (ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration), matured, fertilized with Nelore bull semen, cultured for 6 days, and then the embryos were transferred to crossbred recipients. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 and 60 days after embryo transfer. Meteorological data were obtained at www.inmet.gov.br to generate temperature-humidity index (THI). The data from the conception rates and periods of the year were submitted to the chi-square test at 5% probability to verify independence. Regression analysis was used to verify the relationship between THI and gestation rate. There was a strong relationship between conception rates and THI values, verified by an increase in conception rates as THI values were reduced and a decrease when THI reached the highest value. Our findings demonstrated a negative effect of heat stress in conception rates of crossbred cows in northern Brazil.

Influence of Temperature Humidity Index and Dietary Energy on Certain Stress Marker Profile of Murrah Buffalo Heifers

Influence of Temperature Humidity Index and Dietary Energy on Certain Stress Marker Profile of Murrah Buffalo Heifers

Physiological and lactation responses of Egyptian dairy Baladi goats to natural thermal stress under subtropical environmental conditions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of thermal stress on milk production and physiological traits of Baladi goats under subtropical Egyptian conditions. Sixty dairy Baladi goats were exposed to three different levels of temperature-humidity index (THI), including low (less than 70), moderate (over 70 and up to 80), and high levels (over 80). The influence of THI on the milk composition and physiological, hematological, and biochemical traits was investigated. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were significantly greater at the higher THI than at low and moderate THI (p = 0.016 and 0.002, respectively). Baladi goats had decreased daily milk yield in a rate of 27.3 and 19.3% at high THI level, compared with low and moderate THI, respectively (p = 0.031). On the contrary, no significant differences have been reported in protein, fat, and total solids percentages at different THI levels. Total leucocyte count, serum glucose, and total protein were significantly reduced at high THI in comparison with low and moderate THI levels (p = 0.043, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). However, dairy goats maintained relatively stable estimates for erythrocytes count, hemoglobin, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and triiodothyronine at different THI levels. Our results indicate that dairy Baladi goats can tolerate THI levels up to 80; however, variable reduction in milk yield and few biochemical (serum total protein and glucose) and hematological (leucocytes count) parameters have been reported at a THI level higher than 80.

Impact of thermal stress on the efficiency of ovulation synchronization protocols in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of thermal stress on the efficiency of three different protocols to synchronize time of ovulation in purebred Holstein cows under subtropical Egyptian conditions. The influence of temperature humidity index (THI) on the conception, pregnancy, embryonic loss and early abortion rates were investigated. Conception and pregnancy rates using the CIDRsynch and Presynch (37.5% and 33.9%; 29.5 and 29. 6%, respectively) were significantly greater than that for cows expressing spontaneous estrus (SE) and with use of the Ovsynch (28.5% and 24.3%; 21.6% and 24.6%, respectively) treatment regimen. Conception and pregnancy rates using the Ovsynch protocol were significantly decreased from 31.6% and 26.3% at the lesser THI to 11.5% and 9.9%, respectively than at the greater THI [crude odds ratio (COR)=0.28 and 0.32; P=0.001 and 0.004, respectively]. However, conception (P/AI at 28 days) and pregnancy (P/AI at 75 days) rates using the Presynch protocol were significantly reduced at either the lesser or greater THI (COR=0.47 and 0.42; 0.48 and 0.34, respectively). Embryonic loss rate with the Presynch group was significantly increased from 11.5% at the lesser THI to 22.2% at the greater THI (COR=2.28; P=0.039). In contrast, conception, pregnancy and embryonic loss rates did not differ significantly (P>0.05) with the CIDRsynch protocol at the different THI. Results from the present study indicate that use of the CIDRsynch protocol may provide consistent and satisfactory conception and pregnancy rates in Holstein cows under subtropical environmental conditions.

Assessment of expected breeding values for fertility traits of Murrah buffaloes under subtropical climate.

Aim:The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of temperature and humidity prevalent under subtropical climate on the breeding values for fertility traits viz. service period (SP), pregnancy rate (PR) and conception rate (CR) of Murrah buffaloes in National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) herd.Materials and Methods:Fertility data on 1379 records of 581 Murrah buffaloes spread over four lactations and climatic parameters viz. dry bulb temperature and relative humidity (RH) spanned over 20 years (1993-2012) were collected from NDRI and Central Soil and Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India. Monthly average temperature humidity index (THI) values were estimated. Threshold THI value affecting fertility traits was identified by fixed least-squares model analysis. Three zones of non-heat stress, heat stress and critical heat stress zones were developed in a year. The genetic parameters heritability (h2) and repeatability (r) of each fertility trait were estimated. Genetic evaluation of Murrah buffaloes was performed in each zone with respect to their expected breeding values (EBV) for fertility traits.Results:Effect of THI was found significant (p<0.001) on all fertility traits with threshold THI value identified as 75. Based on THI values, a year was classified into three zones: Non heat stress zone(THI 56.71-73.21), HSZ (THI 75.39-81.60) and critical HSZ (THI 80.27-81.60). The EBVfor SP, PR, CR were estimated as 138.57 days, 0.362 and 69.02% in non-HSZ while in HSZ EBV were found as 139.62 days, 0.358 and 68.81%, respectively. EBV for SP was increased to 140.92 days and for PR and CR, it was declined to 0.357 and 68.71% in critical HSZ.Conclusion:The negative effect of THI was observed on EBV of fertility traits under the non-HSZ and critical HSZ Thus, the influence of THI should be adjusted before estimating the breeding values for fertility traits in Murrah buffaloes.

Influence of temperature humidity index on skin temperature of west african dwarf goats raised in Nigeria

The influence oftemperature humidity index (THI) on skin temperature of West African Dwarf(WAD) goats was evaluated. Based on the recordings of farm ambient temperatureand relative humidity, the study was conducted during rainy and dry seasons.Data obtained for temperature and relative humidity were used to develop anindex for measuring thermal comfort level for the goats. Thigh, ear and necktemperatures of the animals were measured. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)was used to compare variations in the skin temperature of the animals asinfluenced by ambient temperature and relative humidity. Duncan’s MultipleRange test was used to separate the means where significance was indicated. Thesummary statistics for climatic variations were also calculated within eachseason. The skin temperature of the goats was significantly (p<0.001;p<0.05) affected by THI. Exposure of the animals to high ambient temperatureand relative humidity resulted in significant increase in skin temperaturesites at the neck, ear and thigh of the animals. The goats employ surface areasas a means to dissipate heat load away from their body.

Seasonal influences on the litter size at birth of pigs are more pronounced in the gilt than sow litters

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to use data from herds to demonstrate the degree of seasonal influence on litter size at birth in gilts compared to sow parities 2, 3–5 and older (parities ⩾6) in a conventional, open-housing system for commercial pig herds in the northeastern part of Thailand. Data were obtained during a 3-year period from July 2005 to June 2008. The data analysed included observations on 25 835 litters from 8100 sows. Total number of piglets born per litter (TB), number of piglets born alive per litter (BA), proportion of stillborn piglets per litter (SB) and proportion of mummified fetuses per litter (MF) were analysed using a general linear mixed model procedure. The influence of temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index (THI) on TB, BA, MF and SB were also analysed. The meteorological data were merged with the reproductive data and the means of temperature, relative humidity and THI during 115 days before farrowing were calculated and included in the statistical models. The results revealed that sows that farrowed in the hot season had a larger TB and BA than sows that farrowed in the rainy (P&lt;0·001) and cool seasons (P&lt;0·001). The difference of TB and BA among seasons was more pronounced in the gilt litters than the sow litters, insofar as the gilts that farrowed in the rainy season had 0·7 TB fewer than gilts that farrowed in the hot season (P&lt;0·001). By contrast, sows of parities 2, 3–5 and ⩾6 that farrowed in the rainy season had 0·4 (P=0·01), 0·3 (P=0·003) and 0·3 (P=0·02) TB fewer than those that farrowed in the hot season. In the first parity, MF increased from 0·022 to 0·042 when the mean temperature during gestation increased from 26 to 29°C (P&lt;0·001). On average, a reduction of 0·8 TB and 0·7 BA were found when the humidity during gestation increased from 50 to 80% (P&lt;0·001). The influence of THI on TB, BA and SB differed among herds. When THI increased from 71/72 to ⩾81, a decrease of 0·4 TB were observed in herd A (P&lt;0·001) and a decrease of 0·9 TB were observed in herd B (P&lt;0·001), but not in herds C and D (P&gt;0·05). In conclusion, inferior litter size at birth was observed in sows that farrowed in either rainy or cool seasons. High temperature, high relative humidity and/or high THI during gestation significantly reduced the number of total piglets born per litter. The influence of season, temperature, relative humidity and/or THI on litter size at birth was more evident in the gilts than the sows. These data indicated that various strategies to reduce temperature in the open-housing system for pregnant gilts and sows in Thailand are not adequate and the proper housing of pregnant gilts should be emphasized.

Influence of temperature-humidity index on the preference of primiparous Holstein Friesians for different kinds of cubicle flooring

RiassuntoInfluenza dell’indice termo-igrometrico (THI) sulla preferenza di primipare Frisone per quattro diversi materiali utilizzati come fondo per cuccette. Sono state considerate 8 frisone primipare poste in un box di 32 cuccette, suddivise in 4 gruppi in base al materiale di cui era composto il fondo: materassini in polietilene e polipropilene, truciolo e letame. Le bovine sono state monitorate per un periodo totale di 96h, nel quale si sono registrati i valori di temperatura e di umidità relativa. I risultati hanno indicato una significativa influenza delle condizioni microclimatiche sulla preferenza per i diversi materiali. Per THI inferiori a 70, le bovine hanno mostrato una maggiore preferenza per i materiali sintetici mentre, per valori superiori di indice termo-igrometrico, sono state maggiormente occupate le cuccette con fondo in truciolo o letame solido (P<0,01). Inoltre, il THI ha condizionato le modalità di utilizzo della cuccetta da parte degli animali: all’aumentare dell’indice termo-igrometrico, le bovine hanno ridotto la durata dei decubiti (P<0,01) ed hanno incrementato il tempo passato in stazione nelle cuccette (P<0,01).