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Physiologic responses of dairy calves to environmental heat stress

International Journal of Biometeorology volume 23, pages 243–254 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

The effects of thermal stress were identified in terms of a calf's systemic response. The following physiological parameters were monitored during successive exposure of eight Holstein calves to five temperature levels ranging from 15.5°C to 37.7°C at 60% RH: stroke volume, heart rate, arterial systolic and diastolic pressures, plasma cortisol and thyroxine levels, and internal and skin temperatures. Results indicated that 3 to 4- week-old male calves respond to acute heat stress only above 32.2°C at 60% RH and do not demonstrate a marked attempt to acclimate until at least four to five hours of exposure at 37.7°C.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Engineering Center, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia, USA

    J. G. Neuwirth

  2. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    J. K. Norton

  3. Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Vet. Medicine, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia, USA

    C. A. Rawlings

  4. Department Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Vet. Medicine, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia, USA

    F. N. Thompson

  5. Statistics Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia, USA

    G. O. Ware

Authors
  1. J. G. Neuwirth
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  2. J. K. Norton
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  3. C. A. Rawlings
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  4. F. N. Thompson
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  5. G. O. Ware
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Neuwirth, J.G., Norton, J.K., Rawlings, C.A. et al. Physiologic responses of dairy calves to environmental heat stress. Int J Biometeorol 23, 243–254 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01553775

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01553775

Keywords

  • Cortisol
  • Thermal Stress
  • Heat Stress
  • Stroke Volume
  • Systemic Response