Short communication: Effect of maternal heat stress in late gestation on blood hormones and metabolites of newborn calves

Abstract

Maternal heat stress alters immune function of the offspring, as well as metabolism and future lactational performance, but its effect on the hormonal and metabolic responses of the neonate immediately after birth is still not clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the blood profiles of hormones and metabolites of calves born to cows that were cooled (CL) or heat-stressed (HS) during the dry period. Within 2 h after birth, but before colostrum feeding, blood samples were collected from calves [18 bulls (HS: n=10; CL: n=8) and 20 heifers (HS: n=10; CL: n=10)] born to CL or HS dry cows, and hematocrit and plasma concentrations of total protein, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate were measured. Compared with CL, HS calves had lower hematocrit and tended to have lower plasma concentrations of insulin, prolactin, and insulin-like growth factor-I. However, maternal heat stress had no effect on plasma levels of total protein, glucose, fatty acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate immediately after birth. These results suggest that maternal heat stress desensitizes a calf's stress response and alters the fetal development by reducing the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I, prolactin, and insulin.

Prevalence and risk factors for stillbirths in Holstein cows in a hot environment

“…Additionally, heat stress during gestation can compromise placental development, which results in fetal hypoxia, malnutrition, and eventually fetal growth impedance (Tao et al, 2012). Maternal hyperthermia also desensitizes a calf's stress response and alters the fetal development by reducing the secretion of insulinlike growth factor-I, prolactin, and insulin (Guo et al, 2016). Additionally, maternal heat stress during late gestation alters blood metabolite profile and increases non-insulin dependent glucose uptake (Monteiro et al, 2016a) which eventually negatively affects the survival of calves (Monteiro et al, 2016b).…”

“…The consequences of this thermal stress are not only manifested during periods of high ambient temperature, but present long-lasting effects on the fertility of the dairy cow (García-Isperto et al, 2006, 2007. Recent evidence shows that offspring from pre-partum heat-stressed cows have impaired cellmediated immune function and compromised passive immunity (Tao & Dahl, 2013), as well as a reduced secretion of prolactin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor (Guo et al, 2016), which could be linked to the occurrence of stillbirths. A missing piece of the stillbirth puzzle, thermal stress during the peripartum period, has not been adequately investigated relative to stillbirth incidence.…”

Effect of synchronization protocols on reproductive indices, progesterone profile and fertility under subtropical environmental conditions in repeat breeder Holstein cows

“…It is believed that the increase in body temperature caused by thermal stress has adverse outcomes on reproductive hormones (Hansen & Arechiga, ). Additionally, maternal hyperthermia alters the foetal development by reducing the secretion of insulin‐like growth factor‐I, prolactin and insulin (Guo et al, ). It has been demonstrated that repeat breeding syndrome and infertility increase during summer months (BonDurant et al, ).…”

Economic trait of cows with different duration of prenatal growth period

“…Але неможливо стверджувати, що плід зовсім не підлягає зовнішньому впливу. Відомо, що рівень годівлі та склад раціону, хвороби і функціональна напруга організму матері відображаються на розвитку плоду -його величині, здоров'ї, тривалості пренатального розвитку і життєздатності (Wolfenson et al, 2000;Hansen et al, 2002;Tao et al, 2012;Merlot et al, 2013;Strong et al, 2015;Guo et al, 2016;Monteiro et al, 2016;Azzam et al, 2017;Chernenko et al, 2017).…”