Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the change in the air temperature and the impacts of heat waves using Climate Change Indexes on the physiological and productive responses of lactating Holstein cows. Daily data of maximum and minimum air temperature for 1981–2021 were used. Heat waves were determined using six Climate Change Indexes. Individual data on respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and milk yield were collected in the summers of 2018, 2019, and 2021. The temperature trend analysis showed a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and days in a heat wave. All six indexes increased significantly (p > 0.01). The increase in warm nights (> 20 °C) and the hottest days (> 35 °C) was the highest since 2010. Heat waves were classified into short (< 5 days) and long (> 5 days) of greater (> 36 °C) or lesser (< 36 °C) intensity. During the long and short heat waves of greater intensity, the respiratory rate increased (p < 0.05) until the fourth day. On the other hand, rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05) from the fourth day until the end of the long heat waves. Therefore, the decrease in milk yield was significantly greater from the fourth or fifth day onwards. Finally, the evaluation method based on indexes was efficient to demonstrate the negative effects on physiological parameters and milk yield and can be indicated to evaluate heat stress in lactating cows.
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This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.
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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the current Federal Law n° 11.794, sanctioned by the President of the Republic on November 8, 2008. The law is available in full at http://planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2007-2010/2008/Lei/L11794.htm and is known as Arouca Law, which regulates the scientific use of animals in Brazil. The Ethic Committee on Animal Use of the School of Animal Science and Food Engineering of São Paulo University protocol number CEUA 4859201219 approved the experimental procedures.
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Manica, E., Coltri, P.P., Pacheco, V.M. et al. Changes in the pattern of heat waves and the impacts on Holstein cows in a subtropical region. Int J Biometeorol 66, 2477–2488 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-022-02374-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-022-02374-3