Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress (HS) on physiological, blood, and behavioral parameters, according to the temperature–humidity index (THI), in beef steers. Twelve Korean native beef steers (342.7 ± 13.81 days old, body weight (BW) of 333.0 ± 18.53 kg) were used in t...
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/7/1130 |
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| author | Won-Seob Kim Jalil Ghassemi Nejad Keun-Kyu Park Hong-Gu Lee |
| author_facet | Won-Seob Kim Jalil Ghassemi Nejad Keun-Kyu Park Hong-Gu Lee |
| author_sort | Won-Seob Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress (HS) on physiological, blood, and behavioral parameters, according to the temperature–humidity index (THI), in beef steers. Twelve Korean native beef steers (342.7 ± 13.81 days old, body weight (BW) of 333.0 ± 18.53 kg) were used in this experiment. Beef steers were randomly distributed into three homogenized groups (four beef steers each) for 14 days, namely, threshold (THI = 64–71), mild–moderate (THI = 72–79), and severe (THI = 80–87). Feed and water intake were recorded daily. Physiological parameters, including heart rate and rectal temperature, and behavioral patterns (standing and lying down) were measured weekly. Blood was sampled every week to analyze hormones, heat shock protein (HSP) levels, metabolites, and hematological parameters. All data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis. Beef steers exposed to severe THI had significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.001) water intake, heart rate, and rectal temperature compared to the threshold and mild–moderate THI beef steers. Additionally, increased blood cortisol (<i>p</i> < 0.001), HSP70 (<i>p</i> < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (<i>p</i> = 0.014), and time spent standing (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed in beef steers after exposure to severe THI compared to beef steers in the threshold and mild–moderate THI groups. However, dry matter intake, blood glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids were not different among the THI groups. In conclusion, heart rate, rectal temperature, blood cortisol, HSP70, BUN, and time spent standing were closely associated with severe HS conditions in beef steers. These phenomena indicated that beef steers exposed to HS modulated their behavior and blood parameters, as well as their physiological response, to maintain homeostasis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:44:11Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:44:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-ce8da823f1cb45f3bc55acf93160bc0a2023-11-17T16:13:13ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-03-01137113010.3390/ani13071130Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef SteersWon-Seob Kim0Jalil Ghassemi Nejad1Keun-Kyu Park2Hong-Gu Lee3Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Animal Science and Technology, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Animal Science and Technology, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Animal Science and Technology, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress (HS) on physiological, blood, and behavioral parameters, according to the temperature–humidity index (THI), in beef steers. Twelve Korean native beef steers (342.7 ± 13.81 days old, body weight (BW) of 333.0 ± 18.53 kg) were used in this experiment. Beef steers were randomly distributed into three homogenized groups (four beef steers each) for 14 days, namely, threshold (THI = 64–71), mild–moderate (THI = 72–79), and severe (THI = 80–87). Feed and water intake were recorded daily. Physiological parameters, including heart rate and rectal temperature, and behavioral patterns (standing and lying down) were measured weekly. Blood was sampled every week to analyze hormones, heat shock protein (HSP) levels, metabolites, and hematological parameters. All data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis. Beef steers exposed to severe THI had significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.001) water intake, heart rate, and rectal temperature compared to the threshold and mild–moderate THI beef steers. Additionally, increased blood cortisol (<i>p</i> < 0.001), HSP70 (<i>p</i> < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (<i>p</i> = 0.014), and time spent standing (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed in beef steers after exposure to severe THI compared to beef steers in the threshold and mild–moderate THI groups. However, dry matter intake, blood glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids were not different among the THI groups. In conclusion, heart rate, rectal temperature, blood cortisol, HSP70, BUN, and time spent standing were closely associated with severe HS conditions in beef steers. These phenomena indicated that beef steers exposed to HS modulated their behavior and blood parameters, as well as their physiological response, to maintain homeostasis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/7/1130heat stressphysiological parametersblood parametersbehavior parametersbeef steers |
| spellingShingle | Won-Seob Kim Jalil Ghassemi Nejad Keun-Kyu Park Hong-Gu Lee Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers Animals heat stress physiological parameters blood parameters behavior parameters beef steers |
| title | Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers |
| title_full | Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers |
| title_fullStr | Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers |
| title_short | Heat Stress Effects on Physiological and Blood Parameters, and Behavior in Early Fattening Stage of Beef Steers |
| title_sort | heat stress effects on physiological and blood parameters and behavior in early fattening stage of beef steers |
| topic | heat stress physiological parameters blood parameters behavior parameters beef steers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/7/1130 |
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