Effects of climate on reproduction in cattle
Animal environment is affected by climatic factors that include temperature, humidity, radiation, and wind. Extremes in climate alter energy transfer between the animal and its environment and can affect deleteriously reproduction. Seasonal variation of environment, nutrition, and management alters estrous activity and duration of estrus. Conception rates are reduced under stress of heat and cold. Endocrine functions are altered by climatic extremes. In hyperthermia, adrenal function is reduced, and this may allow the animal to cope with the environment because of the lower calorigenic actions of glucocorticoids. Estrogens are lower during the proestrus to metestrus period of the estrous cycle and during late gestation and appear to manifest their physiological actions through shorter duration of estrus and lower calf birth weights, respectively. Season alters endocrine profiles and influences fertility of males. Spermatogenesis is impaired, and testosterone is lower during early exposure to hyperthermia. Environmental modifications can alleviate stress of heat and cold to some extent. Experimentation using indices of environmental measures is needed to assess interactive effects of environment on reproduction.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg
- OSTI ID:
- 6899593
- Journal Information:
- J. Dairy Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Dairy Sci.; (United States) Vol. 68; ISSN JDSCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
BODY TEMPERATURE
CATTLE
CLIMATES
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ESTROGENS
FERTILITY
GAMETOGENESIS
HORMONES
HUMIDITY
HYPERTHERMIA
MAMMALS
RADIATIONS
REPRODUCTION
RUMINANTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOLAR RADIATION
SPERMATOGENESIS
STELLAR RADIATION
STEROID HORMONES
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WIND