Heat stress affects milk yield, milk quality, and gene expression profiles in mammary cells of Girolando cows.

Heat stress during lactation affects the physiological responses, hormonal release, health, and productivity of dairy cows. However, the adverse effects of heat stress on milk synthesis, immune response, and cellular apoptosis in mammary cells remains unknown in Bos indicus cows. This study aimed to understand the relationship between milk yield, milk quality, and the expression of genes related to milk synthesis, cell apoptosis, and immune response in mammary cells of Girolando cows.

Effect of heat stress in late gestation on subsequent lactation performance and mammary cell gene expression of Saanen goats.

Little is known about the effects of heat stress during the late gestation period on lactation in dairy goats. For this reason, 32 Saanen goats were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups, control (CT; n = 16) or heat stress (HS; n = 16), during late gestation. The HS goats were housed in a climatic chamber before parturition and subjected to heat stress for the last 45 d.