Smart Science Series™ Ruminant Podcasts

How dairy cow immune function and liver functionality index are affected at transition by heat stress and RPM supplementation

June 20, 2023 Season 5 Episode 2
How dairy cow immune function and liver functionality index are affected at transition by heat stress and RPM supplementation
Smart Science Series™ Ruminant Podcasts
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Smart Science Series™ Ruminant Podcasts
How dairy cow immune function and liver functionality index are affected at transition by heat stress and RPM supplementation
Jun 20, 2023 Season 5 Episode 2

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison examined the beneficial effects of supplemental RPM during transition for dairy cows that were exposed to heat stress.  

Cows were blocked by parity and milk production, and were assigned to either thermoneutral conditions, heat stress induced by electric heat blankets, or heat stress along with the inclusion of RPM in the total mixed ration pre- and post-calving.  

The results underscored the negative impacts of heat stress on immune function and liver function. Supplying methionine to transition  cows under heat stress improved liver function, which can help cows better handle the associated negative metabolic effects.  

Heat stress causes increasing losses for the livestock industry as climate change occurs. Supplemental methionine during the transition period has been adopted on commercial farms due to the beneficial effect of methionine on milk production, immune function, inflammation, and metabolism.  

Features: Anne Gaudagnin, Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. 

Show Notes

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison examined the beneficial effects of supplemental RPM during transition for dairy cows that were exposed to heat stress.  

Cows were blocked by parity and milk production, and were assigned to either thermoneutral conditions, heat stress induced by electric heat blankets, or heat stress along with the inclusion of RPM in the total mixed ration pre- and post-calving.  

The results underscored the negative impacts of heat stress on immune function and liver function. Supplying methionine to transition  cows under heat stress improved liver function, which can help cows better handle the associated negative metabolic effects.  

Heat stress causes increasing losses for the livestock industry as climate change occurs. Supplemental methionine during the transition period has been adopted on commercial farms due to the beneficial effect of methionine on milk production, immune function, inflammation, and metabolism.  

Features: Anne Gaudagnin, Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.