冀中平原奶牛舍温热环境评价及温热参数与生理指标的相关性分析

试验旨在评价冀中平原地区四季奶牛舍的温热环境，并分析温热参数与奶牛生理指标的相关性。选择3栋不同建筑结构的奶牛舍，对各舍温湿度和奶牛的呼吸频率、直肠温度和体表温度等生理指标进行检测。结果显示，奶牛舍四季环境温湿度和温湿指数（THI）变化显著（P<0.05），其中夏季日均温最高，为28.59 ℃；冬季日均温最低，为1.55 ℃。奶牛夏季每天平均15.5 h遭受轻度热应激，6.0 h遭受中度热应激；冬季每天平均12.0 h遭受轻度冷应激。除冬季外，各季节不同牛舍的温度和THI均未表现出显著差异（P>0.05）。相比带矮墙或卷帘的棚舍，仅设顶子的棚舍夏季平均温度要高0.80~1.27 ℃，冬季低1.36~1.84 ℃。另外，夏季奶牛各项生理指标极显著高于其他季节（P<0.01），且夏季不同舍奶牛的呼吸频率和直肠温度均表现出显著差异（P<0.05），体表温度各季节差异均达显著水平（P<0.05）。从环境温湿参数与奶牛生理参数的相关性分析可看出，各项生理参数（呼吸频率、直肠温度和体表温度）与THI、环境温度均呈显著正相关（P<0.05），但与湿度未表现出显著相关性（P>0.05）。本研究可为奶牛舍环境的评价提供科学依据，并通过环境温热参数的检测推断奶牛生理状况，为应激的发生及预警提供数据。     

Study on Fans Cooling of Dairy Cowshed with Free Stall in Northern Mountainous Region of Hebei in Summer

The present objective of the study was to investigate the effect of fans cooling on dairy cow in northern mountainous region of Hebei in summer.Two cowsheds with the same structure and feeding technics were used to investigate the effect of fans on indoor temperature and humidity, physiological parameters and milking performance of dairy cow.The results showed that the average ambient temperature in cowshed with fans was 1.5℃ lower than that of the control cowshed, and the average wind velocity was 0.49 m/s higher than that of the control cowshed, reaching to 0.66 m/s.Temperature-humidity index (THI) of cowshed with fans was significantly lower than that of the control shed during the period of fans running (P<0.05).Besides, the rectal temperature and respiration rate of dairy cows in cowshed with fans were significantly lower than of the control cowshed (P<0.05), and the milk yield per cow per day was 17.0% higher than that of the control cowshed (P<0.05), however, the milk fat, milk protein and milk sugar were no significant difference from the control (P>0.05).Overall, fans could decrease indoor environment, moderate heat stress and increase performance and health of dairy cows in northern mountainous region of Hebei.     

冀北山区散栏奶牛舍夏季风机降温效果的研究

试验旨在研究冀北山区夏季奶牛舍风机的降温效果。选择结构和饲养工艺相似的两栋舍饲散栏牛舍,分析安装风机对舍内温热环境、奶牛生理指标及产奶性能的影响。结果表明,安装风机舍的昼夜均温比对照舍低1.5℃,平均风速比对照舍高0.49 m/s,可达0.66 m/s。风机开启期间安装风机舍温湿指数(THI)显著低于对照舍(P<0.05)。此外,安装风机舍的奶牛直肠温度和呼吸频率显著低于对照舍(P<0.05),且每头牛每天产奶量比对照舍显著提高了17.0%(P<0.05),但乳脂率、乳蛋白和乳糖与对照舍相比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,冀北山区奶牛舍安装风机可改善舍内温热环境,缓解奶牛热应激,提高奶牛的产奶性能。     

卷帘舍环境参数与奶牛泌乳性能及行为的相关性分析

旨在分析卷帘舍环境参数与奶牛泌乳性能及行为的相关性。本研究选择南北纵墙安装自动卷帘的全舍饲奶牛舍,存栏约200头5～6岁经产的健康荷斯坦泌乳奶牛(3～4胎,体重(650±100) kg)。通过检测该卷帘舍一个自然年度的环境参数,研究温热参数(温、湿度和风速)、气载微生物(细菌和真菌)、粉尘(PM_2.5和PM₁₀)和有害气体(二氧化碳(CO₂)和氨气(NH₃))与泌乳性能和行为的相关性。结果表明：1)各项环境参数均表现出季节性规律。真菌(1 049.91 cfu·m^-3)和两种粉尘(PM_2.5=17.86μg·m^-3;PM₁₀=193.07μg·m^-3)含量夏季最高,细菌含量秋季最高(1.11×10⁴ cfu·m^-3),而CO₂和NH₃浓度冬季最高(1 302.85 mg·m^-3;2....     

冀北寒区秋冬季节荷斯坦奶牛产奶性能及血液常规指标的变化规律研究

试验旨在探索奶牛对气候变化较为敏感的血液常规指标,为荷斯坦奶牛低温应激研究提供相关数据支撑及科学依据,并对该地区冬季奶牛饲养管理及耐应激个体选育提供理论依据。以河北省承德市围场县某规模化奶牛场的健康荷斯坦泌乳奶牛为研究对象,连续监测了秋季（2018年10月24日至2018年10月30日）、初冬（2018年12月4日至2018年12月10日）和深冬（2018年12月25日至2018年12月31日）牛舍温湿指数（THI）,并分别采集了15头荷斯坦奶牛血液样本,测定了9种血液常规指标,同时收集了试验牛群的8项产奶性能数据,分析荷斯坦奶牛在秋冬季节产奶性能及血液常规指标的变化规律,筛选气候变化较为敏感的血液常规指标。结果显示：秋季,牛舍平均温度为8.0 ℃,平均THI为49.38,说明试验牛群在该时期处于非低温应激状态;初冬,牛舍平均温度为－6.4 ℃,平均THI达到23.56,在168 h监测期,有92 h －8≤THI < 25,76 h 25≤THI < 39,试验牛群在该时期大部分时间处于中度低温应激状态;深冬,牛舍平均温度为－7.59 ℃,平均THI达到21.86,有43 h 25≤THI < 39,117 h 8≤THI < 25,试验牛群在该时期绝大部分时间处于中度低温应激状态。随着温度下降,奶牛直肠温度、呼吸频率显著降低（P < 0.05）;冬季奶牛血中白细胞计数（WBC）、红细胞计数（RBC）、血红蛋白（HGB）、红细胞压积（HCT）、血小板总数（PLT）、血小板压积（PCT）、单核细胞数（MO）、淋巴细胞数（LY）极显著或显著升高（P < 0.01;P < 0.05）;除红细胞压积（HCT）、白细胞计数外,其他各指标在初冬与深冬间差异不显著（P > 0.05）;红细胞平均体积（MCV）在各季节间变化不显著（P > 0.05）;与秋季相比,初冬、深冬奶牛平均日产奶量（AMY）分别下降0.71和1.17 kg/d（P < 0.01）;初冬乳脂率（FP）、乳蛋白率（PP）、脂蛋比（F/P）显著或极显著下降（P < 0.05;P<0.01）,深冬时期恢复至秋季水平（P > 0.05）;乳中非脂肪固体物质率（SP）在初冬显著下降,在深冬显著上升（P < 0.05）;初冬、深冬乳中体细胞数（SCC）分别比秋季高1.84×10⁵、1.63×10⁵ 个/mL（P < 0.05）;乳糖率（LP）及酸度在各时期均无显著差异（P > 0.05）。综合以上结果,冀北寒区荷斯坦奶牛在秋季处于非应激状态,在初冬和深冬处于中度低温应激状态,且牛群的生理指标和产奶性能受气候影响较为严重;奶牛血液红细胞、白细胞、淋巴细胞和单核细胞数为受气候影响变化较为灵敏的血液常规指标。     

Annual Dynamic Research of Thermal Environment of Dairy Cowshed in Free Stall-feeding with Window

The objective of this study was to investigate the annual dynamic of thermal environment of dairy cowshed in free stall-feeding with window. Through continuous detection of the dairy cowshed for 12 months of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, the annual variations in these 3 parameters were analyzed. The results indicated that the indoor air temperature was high at noon and low in both the morning and evening, while the opposite tendency in the relative humidity was observed. The indoor air temperature was above 25℃ for 7.5 to 10 h daily in summer, especially in June, the indoor air temperature was higher than outdoor air temperature. In December, the indoor wind speed was almost 0 m/s. From the comprehensive index analysis, during the period of 09:30~19:30 in summer, the temperature humidity index (THI) was above 72, which made dairy cows suffer from mild heat stress. The wind chill temperature (WCT) was not below -10℃ in winter, and the dairy cows did not suffer from cold stress. In conclusion, not only heatstroke prevention in summer but also ventilation enhanced in winter for this dairy cowshed should be paid more attention.     

舍饲散栏有窗奶牛舍温热环境的年动态研究

为研究寒区奶牛舍温热环境的年动态变化,试验选择河北省承德市某规模化奶牛场一栋散栏有窗奶牛舍,连续12个月监测舍内外的气温、相对湿度和风速并分析其规律。结果表明,全年奶牛舍内、外气温均表现为中午高、早晚低的规律性变化,相对湿度则表现出相反的规律。夏季（6~8月）每天有7.5~10 h舍内气温高于25℃,且在6月出现了舍内气温高于舍外气温的现象。12月舍内风速几乎全天为0 m/s。从综合指数分析,夏季每天09∶30~19∶30（10 h）舍内温湿指数（THI）均超过72,奶牛处于轻度热应激状态;冬季的风寒温度（WCT）均未低于－10℃,奶牛不遭受冷应激。综合以上结果,对于寒区散栏有窗奶牛舍,夏季应加强防暑降温措施,冬季加强通风换气。     

北京地区泌乳牛夏季鼓膜温度昼夜节律及影响因素研究

【目的】 试验旨在揭示北京地区荷斯坦泌乳牛鼓膜温度的群体特征及其随昼夜和环境温湿度指数（temperature-humidity index,THI）的变化规律,探究中度热应激下泌乳牛鼓膜温度的影响因素及其与直肠温度的关系。【方法】 2021年8月对北京地区某规模化牧场638头荷斯坦泌乳牛的鼓膜温度、直肠温度及环境温湿度进行测定,并对其进行描述性统计;对161头荷斯坦泌乳牛6 h鼓膜温度和直肠温度进行相关性分析;利用混合线性模型分析THI、测定时间、胎次、泌乳阶段和繁殖状态等因素对鼓膜温度和直肠温度的影响。【结果】 北京地区荷斯坦泌乳牛夏季鼓膜平均温度为（39.01±0.40）℃;测定时间内THI为76.11~83.18,此时泌乳牛处于中度热应激。泌乳牛鼓膜温度昼夜变化较大,昼夜节律表现为上午低、下午和傍晚均较高且在早晨和下午出现不正常峰值,鼓膜温度的变化滞后于THI变化。鼓膜温度与直肠温度呈显著正相关关系（P<0.05,r＝0.35）,且两种体温均随着THI的升高而升高,回归系数分别为0.09（P<0.05,R²=0.09）和0.10（P<0.05,R²=0.08）。测定时间和胎次对泌乳牛鼓膜温度有显著影响（P<0.05）,胎次和泌乳阶段对泌乳牛直肠温度有显著影响（P<0.05）,且THI对两部位温度的回归均显著（P<0.05）。【结论】 本研究揭示了奶牛体温的节律变化和影响因素,鼓膜温度可有效反映奶牛实时体温,可为精细化管理牛群提供理论依据。     

河北省舍饲绵羊的热应激评价及温湿参数与羊生理指标的相关性研究

本研究旨在评价河北省三大区域（冀北燕山、太行山区和冀中南平原）羊场夏季绵羊的热应激程度,并分析温热环境参数与绵羊个体生理指标的相关性,为改善羊舍环境提供理论依据。选择3个区域12个规模化羊场,自动检测并记录夏季羊舍的环境温度和相对湿度2个月,同时检测各场绵羊的直肠温度和呼吸频率。结果表明,冀北燕山、太行山区和冀中南平原的羊舍日均温度分别达24.3、28.5和28.7℃,温湿指数（THI）分别达72.40、79.91和79.47,冀北燕山区域绵羊正遭受轻度热应激,而太行山区和冀中南平原地区的绵羊遭受中度甚至重度热应激,可见,夏季河北省舍饲绵羊的热应激防控需要引起关注,加强夏季的防暑降温措施刻不容缓。从绵羊个体生理指标看,3个区域绵羊的直肠温度范围为39.1～39.8℃,呼吸频率为42～114次·min^-1,直肠温度与环境温度、THI之间均未表现出显著相关关系（P>0.05）,但与相对湿度间表现出显著的线性负相关关系（P<0.05,r=0.60）;呼吸频率与环境温度、THI之间表现出极显著正相关关系（P<0.01,r=0.84;P<0.01,r=0.87）,与相对湿度间未表现出显著相关关系（P>0.05）。因此,通过羊舍温湿参数和THI的测定可以推断绵羊的个体生理状况,对实际生产中舍饲羊热应激的预防及相关疾病的诊断提供依据。     

南方地区发酵床奶牛舍四个季节舍内环境卫生指标比较

试验旨在比较分析南方地区发酵床奶牛舍四个季节舍内环境卫生指标。主要测定了舍内温度、相对湿度、噪音、细菌密度、氨气浓度和温湿度指数等指标并分析了其间的相关性。结果表明:温度在四季间差异显著(P<0.05),夏季高达32.43℃,冬季低至1.53℃;春季、夏季和秋季的相对湿度显著高于冬季(P<0.05);温湿度指数(THI)在四季间差异显著(P<0.05);夏季和冬季的噪音显著高于春季和秋季(P<0.05);春季和秋季的细菌密度显著高于夏季和冬季(P<0.05);夏季氨气浓度为3.92 mg/m^3,显著高于其他季节的(P<0.05)。相关分析表明,一年中,牛舍温度与THI呈正高度相关关系(P<0.01),其余指标间相关性不高(|r|<0.70)或不相关(P>0.05)。另外,季节内的环境指标相关性分析表明:秋、冬季的温度和THI间皆呈正相关(P<0.01),冬季的温度与细菌密度呈正相关(P<0.05);春季的THI、噪音和细菌密度三者之间均呈正相关(P<0.05);秋季的氨气浓度与噪音高度也呈正相关关系(P<0.01)。综上,南方地区发酵床奶牛舍内,四季的环境卫生指标均达到了卫生标准,但夏季THI较高为85.36,奶牛易处于中度热应激状态。     

Evaluation on Air Environment of a Large Tower Type Cowshed for Dairy Cattle in Northern China

In this study, the air environment quality indicators of a large tower type cowshed for dairy cattle in North China were monitored and evaluated at all seasons of one year, including the indicators of thermal environment, the content of ammonia (NH₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), microbe and the dust in the air. The objective was to study the change rules of the mentioned indicators, to evaluate whether this type of cowshed could meet the production requirements, and to provide theoretical basis for the design and daily management of the cowshed in the Northern region of China. The results showed that all the indicators mentioned above varied with seasons and time to some extent. The wind speed inside was below the standard of dairy cattle cowshed in summer, and the temperature in 14∶00 of summer was above 27 ℃, and THI was beyond 69, so the dairy cattle suffered slight heat stress in summer. The other air environment quality indicators monitored in any time and any space all met the standard. In conclusion, the tower type cowshed monitored was suitable for dairy cattle in North China, but some facilities should be added to decrease the temperature and the heat stress in summer.     

北方地区大型钟楼式奶牛舍空气环境的评价

试验对北方地区某大型钟楼式奶牛舍一年内不同季节舍内、外的空气环境指标,包括温热环境指标、CO₂和NH₃含量、空气中的粉尘和微生物含量进行测定,旨在了解其变化规律,评价其是否满足奶牛健康生产的要求,以便为北方地区奶牛舍的设计和日常管理提供理论依据。结果表明,所测指标随季节或时间均呈现出一定的变化规律;所监测奶牛舍夏季舍内风速低于标准,中午（14∶00）舍内温度超过27 ℃,温湿指数（THI）>69,奶牛在夏季产生轻度的热应激;除此以外,在不同时间、不同位点监测的其他各项空气环境指标均符合奶牛的饲养标准。综合测定结果,试验所监测的钟楼式奶牛舍较适合北方地区的奶牛养殖,但建议增加防暑降温措施,以减少奶牛在夏季产生的热应激。     

不同季节添加复合水溶性维生素对奶牛生产性能、血液生理生化和抗氧化性能的影响

本试验旨在研究复合水溶性维生素对春、夏季奶牛生产性能、血液生理生化指标和抗氧化性能的影响。采用2×2因子随机区组设计,选取胎次、体重相近的健康成年奶牛80头,随机分为4个处理,即Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组,4组均饲喂基础日粮,Ⅲ、Ⅳ处理在春季补充复合水溶性维生素,Ⅱ、Ⅳ处理组在夏季补充复合水溶性维生素,各组添加量均为0.02%(日粮干物质为基础),预试期7 d,正式期70 d。结果表明:在春季添加复合水溶性维生素极显著提高奶牛的平均日采食量和日产奶量(P<0.01);在夏季显著提高奶牛的平均日采食量(P<0.05),极显著提高日产奶量(P<0.01);均能极显著提高乳脂率(P<0.01),极显著降低体细胞数(P<0.01);均能显著影响淋巴细胞总数(P<0.05)。在夏季补充复合水溶性维生素能极显著增加血清总抗氧化能力、总超氧化物歧化酶(P<0.01),极显著降低乳酸脱氢酶、白蛋白、总蛋白、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白和磷酸肌酸激酶含量(P<0.01)。综上所述,复合水溶性维生素可以提高奶牛的生产性能,增强奶牛非特异性免疫,改善奶牛抗氧化性能,减少夏季热应激。     

Effects of Supplemental Complex Water Soluble Vitamin on Production Performance,Blood Biochemical Parameters and Oxidation Resistance of Dairy Cows

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of supplemental complex water soluble vitamins on production performance, blood biochemical parameters and oxidative resistance of dairy cows in spring and summer.The experiment was designed by 2×2 factorial randomized blocks design.Eighty healthy dairy cows with similar parity and body weight were randomly divided to four groups, with 7 days of adaptation and 70 d experimental phase.The dairy cows in group Ⅲ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in spring.The dairy cows in group Ⅱ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in summer.The results showed that the ADFI and daily milk yield of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin in spring were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The ADFI of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin was significantly higher in summer (P<0.05) and daily milk yield were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The butterfat rate was extremely significantly increased and SCC was extremely significantly decreased in spring and summer (P<0.01);Supplementation of water soluble vitamin was also significantly increased LYM (P<0.05).In summer, T-AOC, T-SOD were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), and TP, CK, LDH, TP, HDL and ALB were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01) by water soluble vitamin supplementation than that of control group.In conclusion, complex water soluble vitamins could increase the production performance and non-specific immune function, improve the oxidative resistance and relieved the heat stress of the dairy cows.     

亚临床酮病对泌乳早期奶牛繁殖性能和血液生化指标的影响

试验旨在探究围产期亚临床酮病与泌乳早期奶牛繁殖性能、卵泡发育之间的关系,并检测试验牛血液生化指标的变化。试验在黑龙江某大型集约化牛场开展,根据产后血酮水平确定亚临床酮病组（SCK）和健康组（C）奶牛共60头,根据试验牛产后50 d内发情状况,将SCK组再分为发情组（SCKE,16头）和乏情组（SCKA,14头）,C组也同样分为发情组（CE,25头）和乏情组（CA,5头）。所有试验牛在产后50 d通过直肠检查和B超检查了解子宫复旧及卵泡发育状况,记录繁殖性能数据,并进行血液生化指标分析。结果表明：与健康组发情奶牛相比,亚临床酮病发情奶牛产后首次发情日期推迟约10 d（P<0.05）;产后50 d卵泡直径差异极显著（差值约4 mm）（P<0.01）。亚临床酮病乏情奶牛子宫复旧延迟发生率显著高于健康组发情奶牛（P<0.05）;亚临床酮病奶牛血浆中胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）含量显著低于健康奶牛（P<0.05）,而泌乳量极显著提高（P<0.01）。与发情奶牛相比,乏情奶牛血浆中甘油三酯（TG）含量显著升高（P<0.05）;葡萄糖（Glu）、胰岛素（Ins）、雌二醇（E₂）、孕酮（P₄）含量显著或极显著降低（P<0.05;P<0.01）。综合以上试验结果,奶牛患亚临床酮病而导致能量代谢指标异常是引起奶牛乏情、产后卵泡发育受阻和繁殖障碍的主要因素,进而导致奶牛繁殖力下降。     

非遗传因素对新疆地区荷斯坦奶牛在群寿命的影响

为探究非遗传因素影响荷斯坦奶牛在群寿命的规律,了解奶牛利用情况,本研究收集了新疆昌吉地区规模化牛场2011-2018年4 057头荷斯坦奶牛的离群、生产性能数据。运用SAS 9.2软件分析了场、离群年份、离群季节、淘汰类型对荷斯坦奶牛离群胎次、在群天数的影响,并进行最小二乘及多重比较分析。结果表明,离群年份和淘汰类型均对离群胎次和在群天数有极显著影响（P<0.01）;场、离群季节对离群胎次和在群天数影响不显著（P>0.05）。随着离群年份的增加,离群胎次呈先下降后上升再下降的趋势,2016年的离群胎次最高,为3.222胎,高于其他年份（P<0.01）;2018年的离群胎次最低,且极显著低于其他年份（P<0.01）;2015年在群天数高于其他年份,2018年的在群天数最低,为1 890.692 d,且极显著低于其他年份（P<0.01）;根据季节的不同,春季的离群胎次低于其他季节,在群天数极显著或显著低于秋季和冬季（P<0.01;P<0.05）;淘汰类型中肢蹄类疾病的离群胎次和在群天数极显著高于其他各类疾病（P<0.01）,乳房类疾病极显著低于其他各类疾病（P<0.01）。因此,通过分析上述各非遗传因素对离群胎次和在群天数的影响,可以为规模化牧场奶牛日常管理提供理论依据,从而提高奶牛综合使用效率,延长奶牛寿命。     

不同温湿指数环境下奶牛阴道温度的变化规律

为探究不同温湿指数(THI)环境下奶牛阴道温度的变化规律,试验分别在高THI(78.5±3.2)、中THI(70.4±4.1)、低THI(56.3±5.5)环境下连续7d监测15头健康妊娠奶牛的阴道温度及所在牛舍内外的温度和相对湿度。结果表明:高THI环境下奶牛平均阴道温度、日极值均差、测期极值差极显著高于中、低THI环境下奶牛相应的测值(P<0.01);奶牛日平均阴道温度和日平均THI、日最高阴道温度和日受热时长的相关系数r分别是0.811、0.896(P<0.01);引起日平均阴道温度、日最高阴道温度开始快速升高的日平均THI、日最大THI分别为71.4、77.3,日受热时长为10.6h时日最高阴道温度变化出现拐点。由此可见,高THI环境下奶牛阴道温度变化幅度大;相比THI,日受热时长会影响奶牛阴道温度的变化。     

热应激对荷斯坦奶牛体温和呼吸的影响

本试验旨在研究热应激对不同泌乳阶段奶牛直肠温度、皮肤温度和呼吸频率的影响。选用不同泌乳阶段、胎次相近的荷斯坦奶牛18头,按泌乳天数分为泌乳前期、泌乳中期和泌乳后期3组,每组6个重复,根据牛舍温湿指数(THI)变化情况,进行热应激与非热应激的自身对照试验。结果表明:热应激极显著增加各泌乳阶段奶牛的直肠温度、皮肤温度和呼吸频率(P<0.01);THI与各泌乳阶段奶牛的直肠温度、皮肤温度、呼吸频率呈显著正相关(P<0.05);在同一环境下,不同泌乳阶段奶牛的直肠温度、皮肤温度及呼吸频率无显著差异(P>0.05)。热应激严重影响奶牛的直肠温度、皮肤温度和呼吸频率,与泌乳中、后期奶牛相比,热应激对泌乳前期奶牛的影响趋于较大。     

Effect of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative status,immune response and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows

This study aimed to assess the impact of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative stress, immune response, and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows in subtropical regions with different levels of temperature-humidity index (THI). A total of 32 healthy lactating Holstein dairy cows experienced 4 seasons (8 cows/season). The physiological parameters were categorized into low THI (LTHI, THI = 42.97 ± 0.95) in winter, moderate THI (MTHI, THI = 61.84 ± 0.42) in spring and autumn, and high THI period (HTHI, THI = 86.09 ± 0.23) in summer. The blood samples were collected twice in each season to measure oxidative stress, inflammatory and hormonal parameters. Our results showed THI had a positive correlation with the rectal temperature (R² = 0.821, P < 0.001) and respiratory rate (R² = 0.816, P < 0.001). Dry matter intake, milk yield and fat percentage also significantly differed among groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the MTHI group, the LTHI group exhibited a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.001), and the HTHI group displayed a significant increase in levels of cortisol, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001). Opposite changes in serum endotoxin and immunoglobulin G levels were observed with the increasing THI (P < 0.001). LTHI notably increased the triiodothyronine level, although the thyroxine level was reduced by LTHI and HTHI compared with the MTHI group. In conclusion, LTHI and HTHI conditions may induce different degrees of oxidative stress, inflammation response, and stress hormone imbalances on lactating dairy cows, therefore environmental management is necessary for the health of dairy cows in extreme weather conditions.     

The Effect of Seasonal Thermal Stress on Lipid Mobilisation,Antioxidant Status and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows

Heat stress is a major factor contributing to low fertility of dairy cows with a great economic impact in dairy industry. Heat‐stressed dairy cows usually have reduced nutrient intake, resulting in a higher degree of negative energy balance (NEB). The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal thermal effect on lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Thirty‐two healthy dairy heifers were included in the study. According to the ambient temperature, animals were divided into two groups: winter (N = 14) and summer season (N = 18). Metabolic parameters, paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) were monitored at the time of insemination (basal values) and from 1 week before until 8 weeks after calving. Number of services per conception and calving‐to‐conception (CC) interval were calculated from the farm recording data. Serum triglyceride, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations were significantly increased after calving in summer compared to winter, indicating higher degree of NEB in cows during summer. PON1 activity was significantly decreased after calving in both summer and winter group. TAS concentration was significantly lower in summer than that in winter. A significantly higher number of services were needed for conception in summer compared to winter, and CC interval was significantly longer in summer than that in winter as well. Additionally, reproductive performance significantly correlated with the severity of NEB, suggesting that lipid mobilization and lower antioxidant status contributed to poor reproduction ability in dairy cows during hot months.