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Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production

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A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2026) | Viewed by 3497

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Dr. Hieu Huu Le

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
Interests: heat stress; physiology; pigs; nutrition; meat science; behaviour; feed additives
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Dr. Majid Shakeri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

U.S. National Poultry Research Center, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA 30605, USA
Interests: broiler meat quality growth; broiler physiology; growth performance; antioxidants activities; feed additives; stress conditions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heat stress is a reflex reaction following the inability of an animal to cope with its environment temperature. Heat stress can lead to a range of unfavourable consequences, from mild discomfort to death. It covers the behavioural and biological responses to many different abiotic stressors. When high environmental temperatures become too demanding for the animal to adapt, or when the animal is unable to withstand the stress, they struggle and suffers from abnormal biological functions, causing the development of pathologies followed by impaired productivity, welfare, and health. This Special Issue aims to identify all available strategies against heat stress that affect the productivity, welfare, and health of animals in order to increase our understanding of an animal’s response to high environmental temperature and introduce practical strategies, nutritional or management, for alleviating heat stress in animals. We invite scientists to publish their research articles, short communications or reviews to contribute further insight into the effects of heat stress on animals and innovative solutions for coping with this subject.

Dr. Hieu Huu Le
Dr. Majid Shakeri
Guest Editors

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Keywords

heat stress
oxidative stress
innovation
mitigation
welfare
nutrition
feed additive
management
genetic

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 36134 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chronic Heat Stress Is Associated with Brain Injury, Blood–Brain Barrier Impairment, and Neuroinflammatory Gene Expression in Broilers

by Siliang Feng, Chenyang Zhou, Yajin Tie, Zhanqin Zhao, Mengyun Li and Lifang Si

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040405 - 20 Apr 2026

Viewed by 512

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of chronic heat stress (HS) on brain injury in broilers and the associated molecular changes. A chronic HS model was established by exposing broilers to 35 °C from 08:00 to 20:00 daily from 21 to 42 days of age, and samples were collected at 28, 35, and 42 days of age. Chronic HS significantly impaired growth performance and was associated with histopathological and ultrastructural alterations in brain tissue. Serum antioxidant enzyme activities and the total antioxidant capacity were significantly reduced, whereas malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased, indicating sustained oxidative stress (OS). Blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, assessed by Evans blue extravasation, was significantly higher in HS birds and was accompanied by reduced mRNA expression of the tight junction-related genes ZO-1 and Claudin-5. In addition, chronic HS was associated with increased mRNA expression in genes related to cellular stress, oxidative stress, and inflammation, including key components of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, as well as decreased expression of IL-4. These findings suggest that chronic HS is associated with enhanced OS, altered neuroinflammatory gene expression, and BBB impairment in the broiler brain. Overall, this study provides evidence that chronic HS is associated with brain injury in broilers and highlights a potential link among OS, inflammation-related transcriptional changes, and BBB dysfunction, thereby offering a basis for further mechanistic and interventional studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production)

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13 pages, 749 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heat Stress Assessment Using Multiple Thermal-Comfort Indices and Its Impact on the Reproductive Performance of Sows and Their Offspring in a Temperate Climate

by Maria Chavez-Flores, Abel Villa-Mancera, José Manuel Robles-Robles, Jaime Olivares-Pérez, Agustín Olmedo-Juárez, Alejandro Córdova-Izquierdo, Roberto González-Garduño, José Luis Ponce-Covarrubias, Nallely Rivero-Perez, Felipe Patricio, Adrián Muñoz-Cuautle and Samuel Ortega-Vargas

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030270 - 15 Mar 2026

Viewed by 672

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of HS on sow reproductive performance using 11 different thermal indices calculated from environmental data in a temperate climate. Reproductive records, including live-born piglets, stillbirths, and mummified fetuses per litter, were obtained using farm management software. The overall means for live-born piglets, stillbirths, and mummified fetuses per litter from January to December 2023 were 13.7, 1.06, and 0.45, respectively, whereas the temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity were 24.08 °C, 63.70%, and 3.2 m/s, respectively. Temperature–humidity index (THI): THI2 and THI6 were significantly associated with the number of live-born piglets (p < 0.001) and mummified fetuses (p < 0.05) per litter, with optimal reproductive outcomes observed at values below 74. THI1 was significantly associated with the number of stillborn piglets (p < 0.05). Based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) values, THI6 provided the best overall fit for evaluating the effects of HS on reproductive performance. Reproductive outcomes in sows respond to trait-specific thermal signals. THI2, THI6, and THI1 are recommended for assessing HS-related reproductive outcomes in sows raised under temperate climatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production)

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14 pages, 1478 KB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Cool Drinking Water as a Strategy Under High-Ambient-Temperature Conditions in New Zealand Rabbits: Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Physiological Responses

by Gamaliel Molina-Gámez, Juan C. Robles-Estrada, Jaime N. Sánchez-Pérez, Francisco G. Ríos-Rincón, Jesús J. Portillo-Loera, Juan E. Sánchez-Torres and Horacio Dávila-Ramos

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030262 - 11 Mar 2026

Viewed by 393

Abstract

Heat stress represents a major challenge in rabbit production in tropical regions, where high temperature–humidity index (THI) values compromise thermal homeostasis and animal welfare. This study evaluated the effect of providing cool drinking water as a heat stress mitigation strategy on growth performance, carcass traits, water intake, and physiological responses in growing New Zealand White rabbits. Sixteen male rabbits were assigned to receive either drinking water at ambient temperature (33.9 ± 1.5 °C) or cooled water (16.7 ± 1.8 °C) supplied during periods of highest thermal load (10:00–17:00 h) over a four-week experimental period. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were monitored to calculate THI, and body temperatures were recorded during morning and afternoon periods. Average daily gain, carcass traits, and water intake were not affected by drinking water temperature (p > 0.05). However, the feed-to-gain ratio over the overall experimental period was higher in rabbits receiving cooled water (p = 0.03). In contrast, rectal temperature during the afternoon was significantly reduced in rabbits receiving cooled water, as reflected by a significant water × period interaction (p = 0.03), representing a 0.62% reduction compared with rabbits receiving normal drinking water, particularly during periods of greater thermal challenge, whereas ear and body surface temperatures were mainly influenced by the experimental period (p < 0.01). These results indicate that moderate cooling of drinking water elicits measurable physiological responses associated with short-term thermoregulatory adjustment, without improving growth performance. Providing cool drinking water represents a practical strategy to support thermoregulation under heat stress conditions in rabbit production systems in tropical climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production)

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23 pages, 1211 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Combined Thyme Meal and Bacillus subtilis to Promote Growth Performance, Immune Function, Gene Expression, Antioxidant Defense, and Cecal Microbiota in Growing Rabbits Under Heat Stress Conditions

by Haifa Ali Alqhtani, Ahmed M. Elbaz, Safaa A. Hegazy, AbdelRahman Y. Abdelhady, Fatmah Ahmed Safhi, Mohamed Marzok, Mohamed Abdo Rizk, Mohammed Al-Rasheed, Mahmoud H. Mohamed, Sherief M. Abdel-Raheem, Ayman E. Taha and Ahmed A. Marwan

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020204 - 20 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 853

Abstract

This study investigates the nutritional effects of a thyme meal and B. subtilis mixture on growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, gene expression, and gut microbiota in heat-stressed rabbits. One hundred and twenty male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four dietary treatments (five replicates/group). The rabbits in the first group were fed a basal diet, while the other three groups were fed a basal diet containing B. subtilis, thyme meal, and their mixture, respectively. The B. subtilis and thyme meal mixture increases the heat-stressed rabbits’ body weight gain and carcass weight, and enhances nutrient digestibility and the feed conversion ratio. Supplementing the CBT mixture improved the lipid profile and liver and kidney function via decreasing plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, creatinine, urea, and AST levels, while increasing total protein and albumin levels. Furthermore, the CBT mixture enhanced the immune response and oxidative stability by increasing IgA and IgG levels, GPx enzyme activity, and SOD, while decreasing plasma MDA content. Adding the CBT mixture enhanced gut health by reducing pathogens and inflammation, as well as increasing volatile fatty acid levels and the expression of CAT-1, MUC-2, and SGLT-1 genes. The combination of a thyme meal and B. subtilis enhanced growth, immune function, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota modification, and the expression of gut health nutrient absorption-related genes in heat-stressed rabbits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production)

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10 pages, 659 KB

Open AccessArticle

Wet-Bulb Temperature as a Superior Predictor of Milk Yield and Reproductive Performance in Holstein Cows in a Continental Climate

by Onur Erzurum and Tamer Kayar

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020149 - 4 Feb 2026

Viewed by 393

Abstract

This study analyzed how climate variability affects lactation yield and reproduction in Holstein cows in a continental climate. It specifically compared Wet-Bulb Temperature (T_wb) with the standard Temperature–Humidity Index (THI). We conducted a retrospective study on a dairy farm in Konya, Türkiye, analyzing a total of 144 complete lactation records from a herd of 90 cows calving between 2022 and 2023. To rule out nutritional factors, a consistent TMR diet without pasture access was maintained in both years. Average Daily Milk Yield (ADMY) was calculated to adjust for lactation length. Climatic data showed a distinct contrast. Ambient temperatures and THI were similar between years (p > 0.05). However, 2022 was characterized by “humid heat” (high T_wb), while 2023 presented a “dry heat” profile with significantly lower T_wb (p < 0.001). This difference significantly impacted performance. Cows in the 2023 group produced much higher milk yields (50.55 ± 3.01 kg) than the 2022 group (30.74 ± 0.81 kg) (p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, milk yield peaked during the Autumn and Summer seasons of the low-humidity year. In contrast, fertility declined with thermal load. Poor winter fertility suggested a “carry-over” effect of previous heat stress. These findings show that T_wb is a better indicator of thermal comfort than THI in continental climates. Furthermore, low humidity can significantly reduce the negative impact of heat on milk production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Livestock Production)

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