Metabolic and productive responses to heat stress in transition dairy cows: Interactions with calving stage, season, and farm management

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of heat stress (HS), calving period, and farm-level management on the metabolic and productive responses of transition dairy cows. Conducted on three commercial farms in northwestern Spain, the study employed a multifactorial design across two seasons (winter and summer) and four peripartum time points. Biochemical parameters, including non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), urea, total protein, albumin, glucose, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) were analyzed using repeated-measures MANOVA. No significant three-way interactions were found, but several two-way interactions emerged. Notably, NEFA and urea levels varied significantly between farms, while total protein and albumin were influenced by both partum stage and season. Elevated NEFA and BHB concentrations postpartum indicated intensified lipid mobilization and negative energy balance, exacerbated under HS. Reduced albumin and increased urea levels suggested hepatic stress and altered protein metabolism. Farm-specific differences in ASAT during summer highlighted the role of local environmental and management conditions. These findings underscore the complex interplay between physiological stage, environmental stressors, and farm practices. Tailored intervention (such as nutritional adjustments, cooling systems, and precision monitoring) are essential to mitigate the metabolic burden of HS and safeguard cow health and productivity. Future research should explore long-term impacts and adaptive strategies across diverse production systems.