With wide eyes and sunken flanks, the calves looked up at me. This scene was totally different from the one I saw a month ago on my previous visit to this same farm. What could have changed? A month ago, the calves were full, sleek, and spunky. Today they were dehydrated and lethargic. A lot can change in a month; a lot can change in 24 hours.
Thermoneutral Zone
Heat stress is one of the most challenging environmental stressors known to both humans and animals. All animals have a thermal comfort zone which is essential in the upkeep of physiological functions.
A newborn calf maintains its core body temperature with no additional energy from 50F to 77F, while a one-month-old calf’s thermoneutral zone is 32F to 73F. Any temperature below or above the thermoneutral zone will require the calf to utilize energy for core body temperature maintenance. This means less energy and nutrients are available for growth and immune function.
The previous time I visited the farm mentioned above the ambient temperature was 69F. Upon my second visit, the mercury was reading 90F, a difference of 21F and well out of the thermoneutral zone for a young calf. A combination of no management changes regarding water availability in the event of the temperature change, and an outbreak of scours drastically changed the condition of the animals.
Molecular Mechanisms
Microbiota populations in the intestine shift due to heat stress. Apart from the microbiota inside the animal, higher temperatures could speed up the growth of the pathogens that live part of their life outside the animal. A heavier environmental pathogen load increases the risk of infection; therefore, appropriate intestinal function is a pivotal component in countering the negative effects of heat stress.
Heat stress harms the intestinal function of digestion and absorption by shortening villi length and reducing the number of goblet cells in the duodenal jejunal epithelium. Additionally, heat stress downregulates the mRNA expression of cholecystokinin, a hormone produced in the small intestine that plays a fundamental role in the process of digestion.
Immunity
Heat stress activates the immune response and causes the gut to be more susceptible to pathogen invasions. Additionally, heat stress could induce an inflammatory response and cause tissue damage to the intestine and muscles of the animal.
Disruption in the intestinal barrier and resulting dysbiosis caused by heat stress has far reaching effects on the health of the animal. Gut microbiota metabolism relates to host health and susceptibility to disease. Metabolites from microbes in the gut signal to other parts of the body including the brain. Disruption of the gut-brain axis may result in the animal being more susceptible to disease.
Hydration
Water is the most important nutrient and adequate water intake is important for the transportation of nutrients, removal of waste products, and hydration of mammalian cells. During heat stress calves loose additional water through sweating and respiration. It is important to implement management changes in water availability in order for the animal to replace the amount of water that was lost. (See figure 1 below.)
Electrolyte minerals sodium, potassium, and chloride are equally essential in promoting water balance both inside and outside the mammalian cell. Providing an electrolyte designed to hydrate at the cell level, support immune function, and improve intestinal barrier integrity will improve animal health and performance during heat stress.
Immu-Lyte Black Label provides unique components to keep calves thriving during heat stress.
Immune Support: Calves cannot fight off disease without hydration and important nutrients.
Mucus Production: Mucus acts as a barrier between pathogens and the gut wall. When intestinal mucus is dry, the mucosal barrier breaks down and allows foreign invaders to pass through.
Protective Osmolyte: Betaine acts as an osmolyte and holds water inside cells. When cells remain hydrated, we protect the calf against heat stress and electrolyte loss. Humic acid helps to form a protective film on the mucosal layer of the gut epithelia to protect against toxins and infections.
Nutrient Absorption: Humic and Fulvic Acids offer a superior source of organic electrolyte minerals. These minerals play an important part in carrying water molecules directly into cells.
Plan for warmer temperatures. Implement management strategies that always allow fresh clean water, shade, ventilation, and daily electrolytes to help calves compensate for water and electrolyte losses in the heat. For more information on Immu-Lyte Black Label visit the MicroBasics online store.
Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.
Sources:
Calf Note #251 – Cavles lose water in the heat
Chaoyue Wen, Siyu Wei, Xin Zong, Yizhen Wang, Mingliang Jin,
Microbiota-gut-brain axis and nutritional strategy under heat stress,
Animal Nutrition,
Volume 7, Issue 4,
2021,
Pages 1329-1336,
ISSN 2405-6545,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2021.09.008.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405654521001773)