Effect of heat stress on early embryonic development in the beef cow

Hereford and Hereford X Angus cows (n = 31) were utilized to determine the effects of heat stress on early embryonic development and survival. After acclimation to handling, cows were cannulated via the jugular vein on d 7 and assigned to either a control (C) chamber environment of 22 C, 35% relative humidity (RH) or one of two heat stress treatments. Ambient temperature was maintained at 37 C for 12 h followed by a decrease to 33 C for the remainder of the day in both treatment groups. Relative humidity was maintained at 27% in treatment 1 (TRT 1) and 38% in treatment 2 (TRT 2). On d 8 to 16, daily measurements of respiration rate (RES), rectal temperature (REC) and water intake were taken along with samples of blood, which were analyzed for hematocrit (HEM) and plasma concentration of protein (PP), progesterone (P4), estradiol-17 beta (E2), thyroxine (T4) and glucose (GLU). The uterus was recovered and flushed with saline on d 17 to recover the conceptus and uterine contents. Conceptus (if present) and corpus luteum (CL) wet weight were determined. Cows subjected to TRT 2 had increased RES and REC (P less than .01), while HEM was decreased (P less than .05) compared with C cows. Plasma T4 concentration was decreased (P less than .10) in TRT 2 compared with TRT 1 and cows, while P4 concentration were not significantly different. Corpora lutea wet weights were reduced (P less than .10) in heat-stressed cows vs C cows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)