Effects of Long-Term Cold Stress on Growth Performance, Behavior, Physiological Parameters, and Energy Metabolism in Growing Beef Cattle
2023
Siyuan Wang | Qi Li | Jianhao Peng | Huaxin Niu
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a long-term cold environment on growth performance, physiological behavior, biochemical blood indexes, and hormone levels in Simmental cattle. Thirty Simmental crossbred bulls (weight = 350 ±: 17 kg, 13&ndash:14 months old) were selected for two trials at autumn suitable temperatures (A-ST) and winter cold temperatures (W-CT) (15 cattle per season). The results showed that compared with the A-ST group, dry matter intake (p <: 0.05) and feed:gain (p <: 0.01) of the W-CT group increased, while body weight (p <: 0.01) and average daily gain (p <: 0.01) significantly decreased. Long-term cold stress also increased lying time (p <: 0.01), feeding time (p <: 0.05), and pulse rate (p <: 0.01) in the W-CT group, while the rumen volatile fatty acids content (p <: 0.01) and apparent digestibility of nutrients (p <: 0.05) were significantly decreased. In terms of blood indicators, long-term cold stress increased the concentrations of glucose, glucose metabolic enzymes, glucocorticoids, triiodothyronine, and tetraiodothyronine in the plasma of the W-CT group (p <: 0.05), but the levels of triglycerides, &beta:-hydroxybutyrate, propionate, insulin, and growth hormone were decreased (p <: 0.01). In summary, long-term cold stress may inhibit the digestive function of Simmental cattle and enhance the body&rsquo:s energy metabolism and stress hormone imbalance, ultimately damaging the normal growth and development of the body.
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