Increased supply of lysine, methionine, and histidine during heat stress in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows: Effects on clinical signs of heat stress, performance, and metabolism

Maintaining a dietary supply of limiting AA such as Lys, Met, and His during heat stress-induced reduction of DMI may help meet lactation requirements. Twelve lactating Holstein cows were allocated into 2 plots based on parity: (1) primiparous (n = 6; 29.5 ± 1.2 kg milk/d; 95.2 ± 16.2 DIM; mean ± SD) and (2) multiparous (n = 6; 40.3 ± 5.5 kg milk/d; 86.8 ± 10.2 DIM; 3.5 ± 1.6 parities). Within each parity, cows were allocated to 3 treatments, according to a replicated Latin square design with 14-d periods and 7-d washouts. Treatments were (1) heat stress (HS; 16.8% CP; maximal temperature-humidity index [THI] = 84), conventional diet estimated to supply (g/d) 107 Lys, 33 Met, 37 His, and 1,712 MP at expected DMI nadir (d 7-14), (2) HS with a diet balanced to supply, at expected DMI nadir, 179, 58, 44, and 1,740 g/d of Lys, Met, His, and MP, respectively (HS+AA; 16.9% CP; maximal THI = 84), or (3) pair feeding in thermoneutrality (PF; same diet as HS; maximal THI = 64; same diet as HS group). Peak rectal temperature (at 1700 h) was 2.0°C greater in HS (39.8°C) than in PF cows (37.9°C) from d 1 to 14, whereas it was 0.72°C lower in HS+AA (39.2°C) relative to HS from d 7 and 14. Respiratory rate was 2.7-fold greater over the 14-d period in HS relative to PF, but HS and HS+AA did not differ. The DMI decreased progressively in all groups, reaching a nadir at 34% reduction. Milk and milk component yields decreased over time in all groups but more pronouncedly in HS compared with PF, being 3.9 kg/d and 180, 186, and 205 g/d for milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields, respectively, from d 3 to 14. Milk and component yields did not differ between HS and HS+AA, although protein concentration increased in HS+AA on d 10 and 14. Heat stress increased pre- and postprandial insulin concentrations by 40% and 31%, respectively, relative to PF on d 7 and 14. Relative to HS, preprandial insulin concentrations were reduced in HS+AA by 18% on d 14, whereas postprandial insulin concentrations were reduced by 15% on d 7 and 14 in HS+AA. Plasma 3-methylhistidine concentrations increased in HS relative to PF by 24% and 41% on d 7 and 14, respectively, but were unaffected by HS+AA. Leu and glucose kinetics were determined via jugular vein infusion of labeled bicarbonate, Leu, and glucose on d13. The MUN and Leu oxidation decreased in HS+AA, indicating reduced AA catabolism. Glucose rate of appearance (RA) was not affected by treatments, but the proportion of glucose RA used for lactose secretion tended to decrease in HS compared with PF. Relative to PF, plasma growth hormone and IGF-1 were 28% and 13% higher in HS, respectively, whereas HS+AA reduced both relative to HS by 27% and 11%, respectively. Increasing supply of Lys, Met, and His during HS reduced hyperthermia and AA catabolism, which reduced systemic inflammation but did not improve lactation performance.