Effect of Simulated Heat Stress on Digestibility, Methane Emission and Metabolic Adaptability in Crossbred Cattle

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of simulated heat stress on digestibility and methane (CH4) emission. Four non-lactating crossbred cattle were exposed to 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C temperature with a relative humidity of 40% to 50% in a climatic chamber from 10:00 hours to 15:00 hours every day for 27 days. The physiological responses were recorded at 15:00 hours every day. The blood samples were collected at 15:00 hours on 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, and 21st days and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. After 21 days, fecal and feed samples were collected continuously for six days for the estimation of digestibility. In the last 48 hours gas samples were collected continuously to estimate CH4 emission. Heat stress in experimental animals at 35°C and 40°C was evident from an alteration (p<0.05) in rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, water intake and serum thyroxin levels. The serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and protein, urea, creatinine and triglyceride concentration changed (p<0.05), and body weight of the animals decreased (p<0.05) after temperature exposure at 40°C. The dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) at 40°C exposure. The dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C compared to 25°C and 30°C exposure whereas, organic matter (OM) and acid detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C than 40°C thermal exposure. The CH4 emission/kg DMI and organic matter intake (OMI) declined (p<0.05) with increase in exposure temperature and reached its lowest levels at 40°C. It can be concluded from the present study that the digestibility and CH4 emission were affected by intensity of heat stress. Further studies are necessary with respect to ruminal microbial changes to justify the variation in the digestibility and CH4 emission during differential heat stress.

Digestive Ability, Physiological Characteristics, and Rumen Bacterial Community of Holstein Finishing Steers in Response to Three Nutrient Density Diets as Fattening Phases Advanced

“…Steers in phase 3 had higher apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and EE, which is similar to the reports of Yadav et al [11], and these differences could be due to longer retention time of digesta in phase 3 because previous study revealed digesta retention time increased as ambient temperature increased when temperature was below 35 • C [11]. However, this effect was quite different in the apparent digestibility of NDF and ADF.…”

“…Previous report revealed that both Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 and Ruminobacter abundances in rumen were positively associated with ambient temperature [8]. Yadav et al [11] found that low ambient temperature reduced the mean retention time of ruminal contents, thus low digestibility of digesta may appear. Niu et al [12] observed strong correlations between certain genera and apparent digestibility of fiber.…”

Spatial and temporal behavioural responses of wild cattle to tropical forest degradation

“…Heat stress in domestic cattle is induced when exposure to temperatures surpass 35°C [ 54 ]; observations of raw maximal temperatures in MFR regularly surpassed 35°C, reaching an upper limit of 44°C. Such high temperatures influence metabolic processes and physio-biochemical processes, increasing methane emissions and water intake, and decreasing urination, lactation and body weight, among others [ 49 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…Heat stress in domestic cattle is induced when exposure to temperatures surpass 35°C [ 54 ]; observations of raw maximal temperatures in MFR regularly surpassed 35°C, reaching an upper limit of 44°C. Such high temperatures influence metabolic processes and physio-biochemical processes, increasing methane emissions and water intake, and decreasing urination, lactation and body weight, among others [ 49 , 54 , 55 ]. Black coloured cattle like Bornean banteng bulls are more susceptible to heat, as they absorb more solar radiation and require more frequent use of shade but also exhibit higher rates of heat loss than white and piebald colour cattle [ 48 , 56 ].…”

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 Inhibition Upregulates Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Frequency and Function during the Ulcerative Colitis

“…PRMT5 has been reported as a type II arginine methyltransferase and could silence gene expression by symmetrical di-methylation of H4R3, H2R3, and H3R8 (25–27). Additionally, PRMT5 could modulate the methylation of H4S1ph, H4K20me3, H3K9me3, and H3K27me3 (28). DNMT1 serve as the key modulators that control the transcriptional accessibility to the Foxp3 regulatory regions (24, 29).…”