Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves
This study investigates the effects of heat stress in a climate chamber from day 0 to 28 days of life on physiological responses, intake, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and performance in neonatal Holstein calves. Thirty-four calves (nineteen females, fifteen males) were randomly assigned to a co...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1876 |
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| author | Luiz F. M. Neves Mariana B. Gomes Joana P. Campolina Mariana M. Campos Eduardo M. B. Souza Jaciara Diavão Abias S. Silva Thierry R. Tomich Wanessa A. Carvalho Helena F. Lage Sandra G. Coelho |
| author_facet | Luiz F. M. Neves Mariana B. Gomes Joana P. Campolina Mariana M. Campos Eduardo M. B. Souza Jaciara Diavão Abias S. Silva Thierry R. Tomich Wanessa A. Carvalho Helena F. Lage Sandra G. Coelho |
| author_sort | Luiz F. M. Neves |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the effects of heat stress in a climate chamber from day 0 to 28 days of life on physiological responses, intake, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and performance in neonatal Holstein calves. Thirty-four calves (nineteen females, fifteen males) were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, temperature–humidity index [THI] 66, with 22 °C and 65% humidity for 24 h, n = 17) or a heat-stressed (HS) group, which was exposed to a THI of 82, 32 °C, and 65% humidity for 9 h, followed by a THI of 66, 22 °C, and 65% humidity for 15 h. The HS calves exhibited increased respiratory rates and rectal temperatures (<i>p</i> < 0.001), particularly during heat exposure periods, as well as a 59.5% increase in water intake compared to CON. While milk and solid feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were similar between groups, HS calves had reduced ether extract digestibility and altered ruminal fermentation, including lower acetate and lower propionate concentrations. The blood cytokine analysis showed elevated interleukin-4 and reduced interleukin-8 and IP-10 levels in heat-stressed calves, indicating a shift toward an anti-inflammatory immune profile. Despite no major performance impairments, heat stress has induced clear physiological, digestive, and immunological changes. These results underscore the importance of implementing thermal mitigation strategies during early life to safeguard calf health and development in increasingly warmer climates. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-881adb7ff49545f79774ccc0c08957fa |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-881adb7ff49545f79774ccc0c08957fa2025-08-20T03:17:04ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011513187610.3390/ani15131876Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy CalvesLuiz F. M. Neves0Mariana B. Gomes1Joana P. Campolina2Mariana M. Campos3Eduardo M. B. Souza4Jaciara Diavão5Abias S. Silva6Thierry R. Tomich7Wanessa A. Carvalho8Helena F. Lage9Sandra G. Coelho10Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, MG, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, MG, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, MG, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, MG, BrazilThis study investigates the effects of heat stress in a climate chamber from day 0 to 28 days of life on physiological responses, intake, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and performance in neonatal Holstein calves. Thirty-four calves (nineteen females, fifteen males) were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, temperature–humidity index [THI] 66, with 22 °C and 65% humidity for 24 h, n = 17) or a heat-stressed (HS) group, which was exposed to a THI of 82, 32 °C, and 65% humidity for 9 h, followed by a THI of 66, 22 °C, and 65% humidity for 15 h. The HS calves exhibited increased respiratory rates and rectal temperatures (<i>p</i> < 0.001), particularly during heat exposure periods, as well as a 59.5% increase in water intake compared to CON. While milk and solid feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were similar between groups, HS calves had reduced ether extract digestibility and altered ruminal fermentation, including lower acetate and lower propionate concentrations. The blood cytokine analysis showed elevated interleukin-4 and reduced interleukin-8 and IP-10 levels in heat-stressed calves, indicating a shift toward an anti-inflammatory immune profile. Despite no major performance impairments, heat stress has induced clear physiological, digestive, and immunological changes. These results underscore the importance of implementing thermal mitigation strategies during early life to safeguard calf health and development in increasingly warmer climates.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1876ambiancedairy calfdiscomfortpre-weaning phasetemperature |
| spellingShingle | Luiz F. M. Neves Mariana B. Gomes Joana P. Campolina Mariana M. Campos Eduardo M. B. Souza Jaciara Diavão Abias S. Silva Thierry R. Tomich Wanessa A. Carvalho Helena F. Lage Sandra G. Coelho Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves Animals ambiance dairy calf discomfort pre-weaning phase temperature |
| title | Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves |
| title_full | Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves |
| title_short | Impact of Heat Stress on Intake, Performance, Digestibility, and Health of Neonatal Dairy Calves |
| title_sort | impact of heat stress on intake performance digestibility and health of neonatal dairy calves |
| topic | ambiance dairy calf discomfort pre-weaning phase temperature |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1876 |
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