Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heat stress and effect of shade materials on hormonal and behavior response of dairy cattle: a review

  • Reviews
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In tropical countries, at high temperatures, several physiological rearrangements occur in cows as they attempt to facilitate heat dissipation and/or reduce metabolic heat production. Following exposure to heat, cattle appear to acclimatize within 2–7 weeks. The failure of homeostasis at high temperatures may lead to reduced productivity or even death. The situation is even worse when humidity adds to high temperature. Livestock with elevated body temperature exhibit lower DMI and growth with less efficiency, reducing profitability for dairy farms in hot and humid climates. Shading of feed and water also offers production advantages. Although several elaborate methods for reducing heat stress in cows have been reported, simple shade materials appear to be the most cost-effective methods that are currently applicable to tropical developing countries. Different materials are being used to provide shade during warm weather. The shade material determines the microclimate—it should be light, strong, durable, weatherproof, good looking and a bad conductor of heat, and free from tendency to condense moisture inside. This review discusses various shade materials and their advantages and disadvantages in different situations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, J.D., Hall, L.W., Collier, R. J and Smith, J. F., 2015. Effect of core body temperature, time of day, and climate conditions on behavioral patterns of lactating dairy cows experiencing mild to moderate heat stress. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 18–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumgard, L. H., and Rhoads, R. P., 2012. Ruminant nutrition symposium: Ruminant production and metabolic responses to heat stress. Journal of Animal Science 90, 1855–1865.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, A. and Horovitz, T., 2012. Radiant heat loss, an unexploited path for heat stress reduction in shaded cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 95(6), 3021–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, D. A., Moss, B. R. and McCaskey, T. A., 1996. Supplemental shade for dairy calves reared in commercial calf hutches in a southern climate. Journal of Dairy Science 79, 2038–2043.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collier, R., Beede, D.K., Thatcher, W.W., Israel, L.A. and Wilcox, C.J., 1982. Influence of environment and its modification on dairy animal health and production. Journal of Dairy Science 65, 2213–2227.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Habeeb, A., Narai, A.N. and Kama, T.H., 1992. Heat stress in farm animals and the environment. In: C. Phillips and Dairy Piggins, B. (eds): International Willingford, UK, pp 27–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley, D.B., Passille, A.M. and De-Rushen, J., 2001. Assessing cow comfort: effect of two tie stall designs on the behaviour of lactating dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 71 (2), 105–117.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, S.A., Ward, W.R. and Murray, R.D., 1993. Effects of lamencss on the behaviour of cows during summer. Veterinary Record 132, 578–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemsworth, P.H., Banetta, J.L., Beveridge, L., Matthews, L.R., 1995. The welfare of extensively managed dairy cattle: a review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 42, 161–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz, M., 2001. Heat acclimation: phenotypic plasticity and cues underlying the molecular mechanism. Journal of Thermal Biology 26, 357–363.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamal, R., 2013. Effect of different shade material on performance of vrindavani calves, (unpublished data from Ph.D. thesis, Deemed University, IVRI Izatnagar, Bareilly U.P. India).

  • Kamal, R., Dutt, T., Patel, B. H. M, Singh, G., Chandran, P. C., Dey, A. and Barari, S. K., 2016a. Effect of shade materials on rectal temperature, respiration rate and body surface temperature of crossbred calves during rainy season. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 86 (1), 75–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamal, R., Dutt, T., Patel, M., Dey, A., Chandran, P. C., Bharti, P.K., and Barari, S.K., 2016b. Behavioural, biochemical and hormonal responses of heat-stressed crossbred calves to different shade materials. Journal of Applied Animal Research 44(1), 347–354.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, P and Singh, J., 2004. Effect of building design on thermal comfort inside different dairy shelters. Livestock International 8(4), 5–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P.E., Nielsen, P.P., Webster, J.R., Verkerk, G.A., Littlejohn, R.P. and Matthews, L.R., 2006. The effects of providing shade to lactating dairy cows in a temperate climate. Livestock Science 103, 148–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, G., Bagath M., Pragna, P., Vidya, M. K., Aleena, J., Archana, P. R., Veerasamy, S. and Bhatta, R., 2017. Mitigation of the Heat stress Impact in Livestock Reproduction. Available online at https://www.intechopen.com/books/theriogenology/mitigation-of-the-heat-stress-impact-in-livestock-reproduction#article-front. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.69091.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mader, T.L., Fell, L.R. and McPhee, M.J., 1997. Behavior response of non-Brahman cattle to shade in commerical feedlots. Livestock Environment 5, 795–802.

    Google Scholar 

  • McManus, C., Castanheira, M., Paiva, S.R., Louvandini, H., Fiorvanti, M.C.S., Paludo, G.R, Oliveira EMB and Corrêa PS 2011. Use of multivariate analyses for determining heat tolerance in Brazilian cattle. Tropical Animal Health and Production 43, 623–630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munksgaard, L. and Lovendahl, P., 1993. Effects of social and physical stressors on growth hormone levels in dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Sciences 73, 847–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Overton, M.W., Sischo, W.M., Temple, G.D., Moore, D.A., 2002. Using time-lapse video photography to assess dairy cattle lying behavior in a free-stall barn. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 2407–2413.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pusta, D., Odagiu, A., Ersek, A. and Pascal, I., 2003. The variation of triiodothyronine (T3) level in milking cows exposed to direct solar radiation. Journal of Central European Agriculture 4, 308–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renaudeau, D., Collin, A., Yahav, S., de Basilio, V., Gourdine, J.L., Collier, R.J., 2012. Adaptation to hot climate and strategies to alleviate heat stress in livestock production. Animal 6, 707–728.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roger A. Eigenberg, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, 2011. Shade Material Evaluation based on physiological response of cattle. Louisville, Kentucky, August 7–10, 1111184.

  • Roy, P.K. and Chatterjee, A., 2010. Effect of different type of dairy cattle shelters on micro-climatic variables in rural West Bengal. Indian Journal of Animal Science 80(8), 781–784.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rulquin, H. and Caudal, I.P., 1992. Effects of lying or standing on mammary blood flow and heart rate in dairy cows. Annales de Zootechnie 41, 101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütz, K.E., Cox, N.R. and Matthews, L.R., 2008. How important is shade to dairy cattle? Choice between shade or lying following different levels of lying deprivation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, 307–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütz, K. E., Rogers, A. R., Cox, N. R. and Tucker, C. B., 2009. Dairy cows prefer shade that offers greater protection against solar radiation in summer: Shade use, behaviour, and body temperature. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 28–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütz, K. E., Rogers, A. R., Poulouin, Y. A., Cox, N. R., and Tucker, C. B., 2010. The amount of shade influences the behavior and physiology of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 93,125–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schütz, K.E., Cox, N.R and Tucker, C.B., 2014. A field study of the behavioral and physiological effects of varying amounts of shade for lactating cows at pasture. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, P and Singh, K., 2002. Effect of shelter systems on environmental variables, Indian Journal of Animal Science 72(9), 806–809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shearer, J.K., Bray, D.R. and Bucklin, R.A., 1999. The management of heat stress in dairy cattle: What we have learned in Florida. In: Proceedings of the feed and nutritional management cow college, Virginia Tech, pp 1–13.

  • Silanikove, N., 2000. Effects of heat stress on the welfare of extensively managed domestic ruminants. Livestock Production Science 67, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silanikove, N., Shapiro, F., and Shinder, D. 2009. Acute heat stress brings down milk secretion in dairy cows by up-regulating the activity of the milk-borne negative feedback regulatory system. BioMed Central Physiology 9, 13.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K., Kumar, P., Saini, A.L. and Bhattacharyya, N.K., 1989. Micro-climate within three types of literoof sheds in hot semi-arid zone. Indian Journal of Animal Science 59 (8), 997–1005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, D.N., Wadhmani, K.S., Arya, J.S., Sarvaiya, N.P. and Patel, A.M., 2008. Effect of blood constitute of ewes during summer in a subtropical climate. Journal of Small Ruminants 14(1), 252–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, C.B., Rogers, A.R. and Schütz, K.E., 2008. Effect of solar radiation on dairy cattle behaviour, use of shade and body temperature in a pasture-based system. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 109, 141–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulvshammar K., 2014. Effects of shade on milk production in Swedish dairy cows on pasture. Available online at https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/6604/7/ulvshammar_k_140416.pdf.

  • Vazhapilly, P., Eruzi, E., Lonlbardelli, R., Mainti, M.G. and Cappa, V., 1990. Effect of microclimate on the physiological and metabolical responses of dairy cows and on milk quality. In: fide Dairy Science Abstracts 55, 48.

  • Vijayakumar, P., Pandey, H.N., Singh, M., Dutt, T., Tomar, A.K.S., 2009. Behavioural response to heat ameliorative measures on buffalo heifers. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 79, 433–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vizzotto, E. F., Fischer, V., Thaler Neto, A., Abreu, A. S., Stumpf, M. T., Werncke, D., Schmidt, F. A and McManus, C. M., 2015. Access to shade changes behavioral and physiological attributes of dairy cows during the hot season in the subtropics. Animal 9 (9), 1559–1566.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Widowski, T., 2001. Shade seeking behaviour of rotationally grazed cows and calves in a moderate climate. In: Livestock environment VI. Proceeding of the 6th International Symposium, Louisville, KY. RR. Stowell, R. Bucklin and R.W. Bottcher, ed. ASAE Publication No. 701P0201. ASAE, st. Joseph, MV. pp 632–639.

  • Wise, M.E., Arllistrong, D.V., Huber, J.T., Hunter, R. and Weirsma, F., 1988. Hormonal alterations in the lactating dairy cows in respons to thermal stress. Journal of Dairy Science 71(3), 2480–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yazdani, A.R. and Gupta, L.R., 2000. Effect of Housing and feeding system on Feed Utilization and Physiological Responses in Crossbred Calves. Indian Journal of Dairy Science 53, 88–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yousef, H.M., Habeeb, A.A. and El-Kousey, H., 1997. Body weight gain and some physiological changes in Friesian calves protected with wood or reinforced concrete sheds during hot summer season of Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production 34(2), 89–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhenkov, Z., Videv, V. and Krastev, M., 1996. The effect of pasture on some productive and biological characteristics of cows under sheds Behavioral reactions and blood parameters. Zhivotnov Dani nauki 33(4), 8–11.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, for providing all the necessary facilities for collecting the references. The authors are also thankful to the Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna, for giving the valuable time and suggestion to complete this review paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India

    Reena Kamal, Triveni Dutt, Manjunath Patel & Panch Kishore Bharti

  2. ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, 800014, India

    Reena Kamal, Amitava Dey & Poolangulam Chinnakkan Chandran

Authors
  1. Reena Kamal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Triveni Dutt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manjunath Patel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Amitava Dey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Panch Kishore Bharti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Poolangulam Chinnakkan Chandran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Reena Kamal.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kamal, R., Dutt, T., Patel, M. et al. Heat stress and effect of shade materials on hormonal and behavior response of dairy cattle: a review. Trop Anim Health Prod 50, 701–706 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1542-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1542-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation