Neonatal infrared thermography images in the hypothermic ruminant model: Anatomical-morphological-physiological aspects and mechanisms for thermoregulation

Abstract

Hypothermia is one factor associated with mortality in newborn ruminants due to the drastic temperature change upon exposure to the extrauterine environment in the first hours after birth. Ruminants are precocial whose mechanisms for generating heat or preventing heat loss involve genetic characteristics, the degree of neurodevelopment at birth and environmental aspects. These elements combine to form a more efficient mechanism than those found in altricial species. Although the degree of neurodevelopment is an important advantage for these species, their greater mobility helps them to search for the udder and consume colostrum after birth. However, anatomical differences such as the distribution of adipose tissue or the presence of type II muscle fibers could lead to the understanding that these species use their energy resources more efficiently for heat production. The introduction of unconventional ruminant species, such as the water buffalo, has led to rethinking other characteristics like the skin thickness or the coat type that could intervene in the thermoregulation capacity of the newborn. Implementing tools to analyze species-specific characteristics that help prevent a critical decline in temperature is deemed a fundamental strategy for avoiding the adverse effects of a compromised thermoregulatory function. Although thermography is a non-invasive method to assess superficial temperature in several non-human animal species, in newborn ruminants there is limited information about its application, making it necessary to discuss the usefulness of this tool. This review aims to analyze the effects of hypothermia in newborn ruminants, their thermoregulation mechanisms that compensate for this condition, and the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify cases with hypothermia.

Dairy Buffalo Behavior: Calving, Imprinting and Allosuckling

“…Moreover, calf–dam interaction can also compensate for hypothermia and prevent its physiologic consequences [ 67 ]. These results confirm that maternal care is a crucial factor affecting the survival of the offspring [ 21 , 131 ].…”

“…The ability to stand up for colostrum consumption participates in the thermoregulation of buffaloes [ 125 , 131 , 132 , 133 ]. Colostrum intake is a crucial element for the survival of newborn ruminants and largely depends on adequate imprinting mechanisms immediately after calving [ 26 ].…”

Is the Weight of the Newborn Puppy Related to Its Thermal Balance?

“…It has been suggested that hypothermia occurs immediately after birth as a protective mechanism to prevent hypoxic damage in the neonate and reduce the metabolic rate to improve the survival of the newborn in the first hours [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Another important risk factor for neonatal mortality in diverse species, such as humans, pigs, and cattle, is low birth weight [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Thermal Imaging to Assess the Health Status in Wildlife Animals under Human Care: Limitations and Perspectives

“…Evidence from facial regions indicates that they can be used as thermal windows to determine physiological parameters such as body temperature and respiratory rate, which can help verify individuals’ health status [ 67 , 68 , 69 ]. One example is the case of water buffaloes, a species for which the thoracic window has been proposed to evaluate thermal comfort [ 70 , 71 ]. Body windows, like the thoracic region, have been mainly used to identify and follow up on inflammatory processes and infectious diseases, where IRT can assist by monitoring lesions and achieving timely diagnoses of hyperemia and hypothermia disorders [ 70 , 71 ].…”

“…One example is the case of water buffaloes, a species for which the thoracic window has been proposed to evaluate thermal comfort [ 70 , 71 ]. Body windows, like the thoracic region, have been mainly used to identify and follow up on inflammatory processes and infectious diseases, where IRT can assist by monitoring lesions and achieving timely diagnoses of hyperemia and hypothermia disorders [ 70 , 71 ].…”