Environmental heat effects on growth, plasma T3, and postheat compensatory effects on Holstein calves

Five Holstein heifers, 5 months of age, were housed in the Missouri Climatic Laboratory and subjected to an experiment to measure the effects of heat stress on rates of growth, plasma triiodothyronine (T3) levels, and ability to compensate in rate of gain and thyroid function following the stress period. The experiment consisted of 3 weeks at thermoneutral (TN1), followed by 5 weeks of individually controlled heat stress conditions (32.5 to 34 degrees C) dependent on heat tolerance of individual animals. This was followed by a 4-week thermoneutral, postheat compensatory period (TN2). Average daily gains were significantly depressed during the heat stress period (HS). Following heat stress the average body weights attained the projected or expected levels within a 21- to 28-day period following return of animals to thermoneutral conditions. Ratios of feed intake/body weight (w0.75) were reduced during heat stress treatment indicating the thermal inhibition. Ratios or amount of feed intake per unit of gain were greater during HS treatment indicating less weight gain per unit of daily feed intake. Plasma T3 was reduced during heat treatment similarly to daily weight gain. Following the postheat treatment period (TN2) plasma T3 increased markedly as did daily weight gains to demonstrate strong compensatory responses in both measures. In summary, these results demonstrated parallel and positive changes of plasma T3 with daily weight gain during thermoneutral, heat, and postheat compensatory periods, and an inverse relationship of rectal temperature to weight gain and plasma T3.