Hematological Changes in Livestock under Varying Temperatures

Author: Cherryl D.M., Shwetha H.S., Ajithakumar H.M., Paramesha S.C. and Aparna Hebbar H.

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Abstract

One important issue that can negatively impact the wellbeing, productivity, and health of livestock is stress. It causes a variety of physiological reactions, including as changes in hematological parameters, which can be used as markers of the health of the animal. The hematological alterations are seen in livestock under a range of stressors, including as handling stress, disease-related stress and environmental stress. Common hematological alterations include changes in hemoglobin concentration, red and white blood cell number and platelet count, which reflects animal's adaptive response to stress. For instance, stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, which in turn may cause alterations in the immune system and hematopoiesis, resulting in immune suppression, anemia, or altered clotting function. These changes are critical for understanding the overall health and welfare of livestock, as well as their capacity to cope with challenging conditions. The review on hematological parameters provides valuable insights for managing livestock care, optimizing production, and minimizing the negative effects of stress

Keywords

Stress, Haematology, RBC, Productivity, Haemoglobin

Conclusion

To sum up, hematological alterations in stressed livestock are important markers of the physiological reaction of the animal to difficult circumstances. It has been demonstrated that stress affects important hematological parameters as hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell (WBC) count, and red blood cell (RBC) count. The WBC count may increase as a result of an increased immunological response to stresses, while the RBC count and Hb levels may decrease under stress, suggesting possible anemia or decreased oxygen-carrying ability. The intricate relationships between the immunological and endocrine systems under stress are reflected in these alterations, which may jeopardize the general well-being and productivity of cattle. Better management techniques can be informed by monitoring these hematological markers, which offer important insights for the quick identification of stress-related health concerns. Managing animal well-being and increasing output requires lowering stress in cattle through appropriate handling, environmental management, and health monitoring. Livestock shows several changes in hot weather, including elevated body temperature, respiratory and heart rates, and more. In terms of hematology, this could result in an increase in hemoglobin, haematocrit, and red blood cell (RBC) concentrations as the body tries to make up for decreased oxygen-carrying capacity brought on by dehydration or circulation alterations. Furthermore, elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol might affect immunological function and increase vulnerability to disease. During colder climates, there will be lower ambient oxygen levels and a slower metabolic rate, the body may produce more red blood cells in colder climates to improve oxygen delivery and a result of changes in blood viscosity and general circulation, there would be other hematological alterations, such as elevated white blood cell (WBC) levels, due to body's immune response to fight certain infections. Over time, livestock can adapt to temperature extremes by developing acclimatization mechanisms, which can stabilize or lower specific hematological parameters after extended exposure. However, chronic or severe temperature stress might harm the animals' physiological systems irreparably, which will impact their general health and production. Optimizing husbandry operations require an understanding of the hematological changes that occur in livestock under different temperatures. It implies that in order to reduce heat stress and improve animal wellbeing, it is crucial to provide suitable shelter, water, and food. Additionally, blood parameter monitoring can act as an early warning system for heat or cold stress, enabling prompt treatments to lessen adverse effects. To sum up, hematological parameters are important markers of animal health, and changes in them can reveal important information about the effects of environmental stresses like severe temperatures. Different hematological alterations, such as changes in hemoglobin levels, electrolyte balance, and red and white blood cell counts, are brought on by both heat and cold stress. These alterations demonstrate how animals' bodies adjust to temperature fluctuations and emphasize how crucial blood parameter monitoring is for evaluating animal welfare. To lessen the negative impacts of temperature stress, effective management techniques including insulation, cooling systems, and shade provision are crucial. Gaining an understanding of these hematological reactions is essential for enhancing the health and production of livestock, especially in light of climate change

References

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How to cite this article

Cherryl D.M., Shwetha H.S., Ajithakumar H.M., Paramesha S.C. and Aparna Hebbar H. (2025). Hematological Changes in Livestock under Varying Temperatures. Biological Forum, 17(3): 78-83