Body temperature and endocrine interactions before and after calving in beef cows.

Abstract

Multiparous beef cows (n = 7) were used to evaluate peripartum changes and interactions among body temperature (BT) and circulating progesterone (P4), estradiol-17beta (E2), triiodothyronine (T3), cortisol, thyroxine (T4), and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM) concentrations. Electronic temperature monitors were placed under the obliquus abdominis internus muscle of the left flank, and BT was measured using radiotelemetry every 3 min for 10-s periods from 144 h before to 24 h after calving. Environmental temperatures (ET) were recorded hourly. Body and environmental temperatures were averaged, separately, within 8-h periods. Blood samples were collected every 8 h, and hormone concentrations were measured. Time of day affected BT (P < .01), at 0300 cows had the lowest BT, at 1900 the highest, and at 1100 values were intermediate. Body temperature remained relatively constant (P > .10) from 144 to 56 h before calving and from 8 to 24 h after calving but decreased (P < .01) from 48 to 8 h before calving. Precalving BT was affected (P < .01) by ET, but hour-before-calving (time) had the greatest effect on BT during the 48 to 8 h immediately preceding parturition (b' = .41, P < .01) and was independent of ET effects. Before the BT decrease, cows gestating heifers had lower (P < .01) BT than cows gestating bulls. Plasma E2, PGFM, T3, and T4 concentrations before the precalving decrease in body temperature were greater (P < .03) in cows gestating bull rather than heifer calves. Approximately 30% of the variation (R2) during the temperature decrease was explained by plasma hormone concentrations; PGFM (b' = -.30, P < .05) and T3 (b' = -.22, P < .10) had the most significant effects. In conclusion, BT of the cow before the precalving decrease was affected by ET and sex of calf. However, the prepartum BT decrease was independent of these variables, and seemed partially endocrine-induced.

Determination of ovulation time in sows based on skin temperature and genital electrical resistance changes

“…Modifications of temperature data may be related to the increase in oestrogens levels (Czaja and Butera 1986), which produces the vulvar reddening. Other studies suggest that progesterone produces a ­thermogenic effect (Wrenn and others 1958), but no direct correlation has been demonstrated (Lammoglia and others 1997). Besides in cows, the temperature rhythms are associated with LH surge and ovulation (Wrenn and others 1958, Redden and others 1993).…”

Endocrine And Metabolic Adaptations Of Calves To Extra-Uterine Life

“…At birth a break of the thermal balance of the calf occurs, since the calf abruptly passes from a 38.8°C in utero to an environmental temperature that is generally lower than 20°C [114]. Heat loss of the wet calf is directly proportional to the difference between the skin and environmental temperatures.…”

Body Temperature and Circulating Progesterone Levels before and after Parturition in Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

“…Body temperature is one indicator that changes during the periods of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. A drop in body temperature below normal levels before parturition has been observed in several mammals, such as cattle [2,3], sheep [4], dogs [5], and rats [6,7]. Therefore, it may be possible to use body temperature changes before parturition to predict the onset of parturition in other mammal species, and this might be useful in determining when to give obstetrical assistance to increase the offspring survival rate.…”