This research communication hypothesizes that superstimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) would not impact behavior and performance of Holstein cows. The objectives were to investigate the effect of FSH superstimulation on follicular dynamics, animal behaviour, body surface temperature and milk yield of Holstein cows. Cows were blocked by parity and body condition score (BCS), and within a block, they were assigned randomly to receive either normal saline (CON = 7) or 500 IU of FSH (n = 8). The estrous cycle of cows was synchronized by using two injections of prostaglandin F2-alpha (PG), 11 days apart. The dominant follicle was ablated at the time of the second PG injection, and an intra-vaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) was inserted (day 0). Two days later, FSH treatment was initiated and continued for 3 days in six equal doses of 83.33 IU after 12 h. Follicles were counted and their sizes were measured from day-0 to day-5. Behavior, including activity and feeding time, was recorded using SmartTag Neck from day 0 to 6. The surface temperatures of the eye, shoulder, flank, and vulva were measured by using infrared thermal imaging every 12 h from day-2 to day-5. Milk was recorded from day-0 to day-6. Mixed effects models were used to analyse the data using SAS statistical software. The number of small and medium follicles did not differ between treatments. However, FSH-treated cows had a more (P = 0.01) large and total follicles compared with CON cows. FSH treatment did not affect activity, feeding time, body surface temperature, or milk yield. In conclusion, FSH superstimulation increased the number of large follicles but did not influence behaviour, body surface temperature, or performance in dairy cows.

The study presented in this Research Communication aimed to investigate the relationship between physiological responses, body surface temperature and shade-seeking behaviour in Nili Ravi dairy buffaloes during summer months. We enrolled 60 buffaloes, and each animal was observed for three consecutive days starting before sunrise until they moved towards the shade structures. A repeated measures ANOVA was employed to assess the changes in physiological parameters and body surface temperature between the early morning and the occurrence of shade-seeking behaviour. The average temperature humidity index and heat load index during the behavioural monitoring period (0400 to 1200 h) were 81.3 ± 6.5 and 92.9 ± 17, respectively (mean ± sd). There was no significant difference in core body temperature between sunrise and the time of shade-seeking event. However, the buffaloes had a slightly higher respiration rate at the time of shade-seeking (19.2 vs. 22.4 breaths/min). In addition, body surface temperature, measured at the flank region, shoulder, base of the ear and forehead was significantly higher at the occurrence of shade-seeking behaviour compared to the early morning. On average, the buffaloes sought shade when the surface temperature was 2°C higher than the temperature recorded before sunrise. Overall, the current findings suggest that body surface temperature, rather than core body temperature was strongly associated with shade-seeking behaviour in dairy buffaloes. These findings could be useful in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of heat stress in dairy buffalo herds and thereby improve animal welfare.