Dynamics of heat-shock proteins, metabolic and endocrine responses during increasing temperature humidity index (THI) in lactating Hariana (Zebu) cattle

Effect of cooling strategies on milk production, physiological variables and blood profile during hot-dry and hot-humid summer in Sahiwal cattle

“…Kohli et al (2014) also reported that milk yield declined only in high producing crossbreed cattle (>18 litre/day) during high THI and it was not affected in low producing cattle (<8 litre/ day) which was in concurrence with the findings of the present study. On the contrary, Kumar et al (2020) reported that milk production began to decline at a THI more than 81 in Hariana cattle that was attributed to less thermotolerance of Hariana cattle breed.…”

“…Different treatments did not induce any change in milk production during the experiment. The effect of heat stress in physiological, productive and reproductive terms has been well documented in indigenous Indian cattle (Kumar et al 2018(Kumar et al , 2020 and accordingly shed and nutritional management have been attempted to ameliorate heat stress. The present study revealed an apparent decrease in milk production during the experimental period in all groups.…”

“…Alterations in environmental temperature and relative humidity are the important tenets of climate change and are globally jeopardizing animal production and health especially in subtropical and tropical countries. India has several thermo-tolerant indigenous breeds of cattle which have the ability to adapt in different agro-climatic zones in changing climate conditions (Kumar et al 2018(Kumar et al , 2020. Cross-breeding between zebu and exotic cattle breeds resulted in augmentation in milk productivity in India and rearing of cattle alien to an agro-climatic region has become common amongst the livestock farmers.…”

“…The temperature-humidity index (THI) is used to measure the level of environmental heat stress in livestock worldwide. THI value has been defined: no stress <72, moderate stress 72-78, heavy stress >79-83 (Akyuz et al 2010) however, the stratification of THI for measuring the comfort levels in bovine breeds of Indian subcontinent varies (Kumar et al 2020). In semi-arid regions of India, the THI during summer months ranges from 80 to 88 (Yadav et al 2016b).…”

Effect of Heat Stress on Rumen Microbial Diversity and Fermentation Pattern in Buffalo

“…The frequency and magnitude of fluctuations in the last many years and its future predictions have threatened the extinction of one in six animal species [1]. Furthermore, the direct and indirect adverse effects of these extreme fluctuations in terms of climate change on livestock production and health have been well documented [2][3][4]. Moreover, the investigation of short-term ameliorative measures and long-term adaptation mechanisms to achieve sustainable livestock production in the scenario of climate change is still in progress [5].…”