Heat stress effects on livestock: molecular, cellular and metabolic aspects, a review

• Published in: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition Vol. 100; no. 3; pp. 401 - 412
• Main Authors: Belhadj Slimen, I., Najar, T., Ghram, A., Abdrrabba, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; Animal production; Animal Welfare; Animals; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Eating; energy; Energy Metabolism; feed intake; free radicals; glucose; heat stress; Heat Stress Disorders - metabolism; Heat Stress Disorders - veterinary; Heat tolerance; Heatstroke; insulin; Life Sciences; Livestock; Metabolism; mitochondria; non-esterified fatty acids; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; reproduction; Stress, Physiological - physiology; Thermal stress; heat stress; glucose; insulin; non-esterified fatty acids; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species
• ISSN: 0931-2439; 1439-0396
• DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12379

Summary Elevated ambient temperatures affect animal production and welfare. Animal's reduced production performances during heat stress were traditionally thought to result from the decreased feed intake. However, it has recently been shown that heat stress disturbs the steady state concentrations of free radicals, resulting in both cellular and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Indeed, heat stress reorganizes the use of the body resources including fat, protein and energy. Heat stress reduces the metabolic rates and alters post‐absorptive metabolism, regardless of the decreased feed intake. Consequently, growth, production, reproduction and health are not priorities any more in the metabolism of heat‐stressed animals. The drastic effects of heat stress depend on its duration and severity. This review clearly describes about biochemical, cellular and metabolic changes that occur during thermal stress in farm animals.