Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the pattern of 6 behavioral parameters in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress (HS) conditions using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) statistical approach, while also evaluating the effectiveness of a commercial electrolyte, osmolyte, and antioxidant blend...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dairy Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030224012554 |
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| author | C. Ferrari C. Evangelista L. Basiricò S. Castellani S. Biffani U. Bernabucci |
| author_facet | C. Ferrari C. Evangelista L. Basiricò S. Castellani S. Biffani U. Bernabucci |
| author_sort | C. Ferrari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT: This study investigated the pattern of 6 behavioral parameters in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress (HS) conditions using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) statistical approach, while also evaluating the effectiveness of a commercial electrolyte, osmolyte, and antioxidant blend in mitigating HS-induced adverse effects. The trial was conducted during a severe Italian summer on 84 multiparous dairy cows in the Central Italy, divided into 4 balanced groups (2 treated and 2 control) of 21 cows each. All animals received the same diet, and the treatment groups were supplemented with 3,150 g/d of the additive. Behavioral parameters, namely low activity (LA), medium activity (MA), high activity (HA), rumination time (RUM), eating time (ET), and heavy breathing (OH), were monitored using neck collar sensors. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyze trajectory changes of these parameters over time and climatic conditions. Results indicated significant variations in only one activity parameter, with treated cows showing increased MA with rising temperature-humidity index (THI). Eating time declined with increasing HS, particularly in the treated group, suggesting potential HS relief. Rumination time decreased with increasing HS levels but increased also with milk yield and lactation stage. As expected, heavy breathing significantly increased with THI, especially beyond THI 80, and was influenced by milk yield and lactation stage but not by the treatment. The use of GAMM enhanced visualization and understanding of severe climatic conditions' effects on behavioral parameters. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ba598e512c94b7ebe62ddf7259fd2c7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0022-0302 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Dairy Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ba598e512c94b7ebe62ddf7259fd2c72025-01-23T05:25:10ZengElsevierJournal of Dairy Science0022-03022025-02-01108215541572Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditionsC. Ferrari0C. Evangelista1L. Basiricò2S. Castellani3S. Biffani4U. Bernabucci5Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, ItalyDepartment for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università Della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Università Della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Università Della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyInstitute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA-CNR), National Research Council, Milano, 26900, Italy; Corresponding authorDepartment of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Università Della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyABSTRACT: This study investigated the pattern of 6 behavioral parameters in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress (HS) conditions using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) statistical approach, while also evaluating the effectiveness of a commercial electrolyte, osmolyte, and antioxidant blend in mitigating HS-induced adverse effects. The trial was conducted during a severe Italian summer on 84 multiparous dairy cows in the Central Italy, divided into 4 balanced groups (2 treated and 2 control) of 21 cows each. All animals received the same diet, and the treatment groups were supplemented with 3,150 g/d of the additive. Behavioral parameters, namely low activity (LA), medium activity (MA), high activity (HA), rumination time (RUM), eating time (ET), and heavy breathing (OH), were monitored using neck collar sensors. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyze trajectory changes of these parameters over time and climatic conditions. Results indicated significant variations in only one activity parameter, with treated cows showing increased MA with rising temperature-humidity index (THI). Eating time declined with increasing HS, particularly in the treated group, suggesting potential HS relief. Rumination time decreased with increasing HS levels but increased also with milk yield and lactation stage. As expected, heavy breathing significantly increased with THI, especially beyond THI 80, and was influenced by milk yield and lactation stage but not by the treatment. The use of GAMM enhanced visualization and understanding of severe climatic conditions' effects on behavioral parameters.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030224012554generalized additive mixed modelbehaviorheat stresscollar sensorsfeed additive |
| spellingShingle | C. Ferrari C. Evangelista L. Basiricò S. Castellani S. Biffani U. Bernabucci Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions Journal of Dairy Science generalized additive mixed model behavior heat stress collar sensors feed additive |
| title | Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| title_full | Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| title_fullStr | Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| title_short | Application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| title_sort | application of a generalized additive mixed model in time series study of dairy cow behavior under hot summer conditions |
| topic | generalized additive mixed model behavior heat stress collar sensors feed additive |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030224012554 |
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