Mitigating Heat Stress in Ruminants: Physiological Impacts and Nutritional Strategies

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 964

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Resources, Daegu University, Gyeongsan-si 38453, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: ruminant nutrition; ruminant physiology; cell biology; heat stress

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental factors, such as heat stress, have a significant impact on animal productivity. Elevated temperatures and humidity beyond thermal neutral zone negatively affect growth, lactation, and reproduction performance in ruminants, causing economic losses in both the dairy and beef industries. Nutritional modifications have been developed to mitigate the effects of heat stress, and dietary adjustments can also benefit the environment by reducing nitrogen excretion from ruminants. The scope of the current Special Issue focuses on the utilization of nutrients and feed additives to modify physiological status and mitigate heat stress in ruminants during the summer season.

We invite you to submit original research papers and review articles to expand our knowledge on the nutritional strategies for mitigating heat stress in ruminants.

Dr. Wonseob Kim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • heat stress
  • nutritional strategies
  • ruminants
  • nutrients
  • feed additive

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 337 KB  
Article
Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Rumen-Protected GABA (γ-Aminobutyric Acid) on Milk Productivity and Blood Profiles of Dairy Cattle Under Heat Stress Conditions
by Young Hye Joo, Jun Sik Woo, Honggu Lee, Won Seob Kim, Keun Kyu Park and Yognjun Choi
Animals 2026, 16(2), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020262 - 15 Jan 2026
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Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation on milk productivity of lactating Holstein cows. Eighteen Holstein dairy cows (mean parity, 2.2 ± 1.0 year; mean milk yield, 34.3 ± 5.5 kg) were selected in a commercial [...] Read more.
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation on milk productivity of lactating Holstein cows. Eighteen Holstein dairy cows (mean parity, 2.2 ± 1.0 year; mean milk yield, 34.3 ± 5.5 kg) were selected in a commercial dairy farm for the experiment. The experiment was conducted from 17 July 2024 to 11 September 2024 (56 days). Generally, THI 72 is set as a threshold since the productivity of Holstein cows starts to decrease. Animals were exposed to heat stress conditions (THI ≥ 72) during the experimental period. The basal diet was fed as a total mixed ration (TMR), and GABA was top-dressed onto the TMR. The treatments were basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with rumen-protected GABA 3 g/d (Treatment 1), and basal diet supplemented with rumen-protected GABA 6 g/d (Treatment 2) as a completely randomized design. Statistical significance was compared between the control and GABA treatment groups using the method of repeated measurement. Increased levels of rumen-protected GABA supplementation tended to mitigate the decline in milk yield associated with heat stress (p = 0.083). Milk fat content in the GABA supplementation groups was significantly greater than that in the control group (p = 0.036). Milk lactose content was significantly increased by GABA supplementation (p = 0.017). Blood metabolic profiles and cortisol did not differ significantly between the control and GABA supplementation groups. Activities in the GABA supplementation groups were significantly greater than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Rest and rumination times in the GABA supplementation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that rumen-protected GABA can be a practical nutritional intervention for minimizing productivity losses in Holstein cows during periods of elevated ambient temperature. Full article
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Systematic Review
A Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Live Yeast Supplementation and Lactation Performance in Dairy Cows Under Heat Stress
by Babak Darabighane, Maria Giovanna Podda, Francesco Fancello and Alberto Stanislao Atzori
Animals 2026, 16(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16030428 - 29 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Heat stress is a major management challenge in dairy cows, leading to lower dry matter intake (DMI), reduced milk yield (MY), and changes in milk composition. A practical nutritional strategy is supplementing diets with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during hot periods. [...] Read more.
Heat stress is a major management challenge in dairy cows, leading to lower dry matter intake (DMI), reduced milk yield (MY), and changes in milk composition. A practical nutritional strategy is supplementing diets with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during hot periods. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of live-yeast supplementation on DMI, MY, and milk components in heat-stressed dairy cows. Bibliographic searches for the period 2000 to 2025 were conducted. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 studies were selected. For each outcome, effect sizes were reported as the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the raw mean difference. Analyses were conducted using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Q test and the I2 statistic. Based on the SMD, live-yeast supplementation of the diets of heat-stressed dairy cows increased both DMI (p = 0.003) and MY (p < 0.001). Milk fat percentage (MFP; p = 0.104) and milk lactose percentage (MLP; p = 0.530) were not significantly affected, whereas milk protein percentage (MPP) tended to increase (p = 0.078). In contrast, milk fat yield, milk protein yield (MPY), and milk lactose yield (MLY) all increased significantly (p ≤ 0.001). Heterogeneity was significant only for DMI, MPY, and MLY. Overall, based on the available evidence, supplementing heat-stressed dairy cows with live yeast can improve DMI and MY, and increase milk component yields, without materially altering component percentages. Full article
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