Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Detection of heat produced during roughage digestion in ruminants by using infrared thermography

Márcia Saladini Vieira Salles A D , Suelen Correa Silva A , Luiz Carlos Roma Junior A , Lenira El Faro A , Carla Maris Machado Bittar B , Celso Eduardo Lins Oliveira C and Fernando André Salles A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology (APTA), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14030-670, Brazil.

B Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, USP, Piracicaba, SP, CEP 13418-900, Brazil.

C Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, USP, Pirassununga, SP, CEP 13635-900, Brazil.

D Corresponding author. Email: marciasalles@apta.sp.gov.br

Animal Production Science 58(11) 2032-2041 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16011
Submitted: 5 January 2016  Accepted: 7 May 2017   Published: 15 June 2017

Abstract

The present study aimed to establish the relationship of infrared thermography (IRT) with fermentation dynamics in ruminants, and to initiate the development of a method that allows associating these images with the heat produced during feed digestion. The experiment was conducted at APTA, Brazil. Twenty-four Jersey heifers (mean liveweight of 221.25 ± 59.41 kg) were subjected to the following treatments: 30R (30% corn silage and 70% concentrate), 50R (50% corn silage and 50% concentrate) and 70R (70% corn silage and 30% concentrate) in a Latin square design. The diet (corn silage + concentrate) was offered at 3% of liveweight from 0800 hours to 1400 hours. Infrared images were collected from the whole body on the left and right sides, from the eyes, from the left foreleg on the cranial and caudal side, and from the forehead. IRT images were taken at 2-h intervals for 12 h (from 0600 hours to 1800 hours) and 24 h (0600 hours of the following day) after the beginning of feeding and so on. Physiological parameters were obtained at the same time as the IRT were taken. Ruminal parameters were collected after 4 h of feeding. The thermograms of the right (P < 0.001) and left flank (P < 0.001) differed among sampling times, with an increase in temperature until 1400 hours and a reduction thereafter. The temperatures on the right (P = 0.037) and left (P = 0.017) flank were higher in animals consuming the 50R diet and lower in those consuming the 70R diet. When the 50R diet was offered, the heifers exhibited higher dry-matter intake (P < 0.001), neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.001), non-fibrous carbohydrates (P < 0.001) and total digestible nutrients (P < 0.001). A decrease in the concentrations of butyric acid (P = 0.042), isobutyric acid (P = 0.001), isovaleric acid (P = 0.019) and ammonia nitrogen (P = 0.001) in the rumen fluid of heifers was observed with an increasing dietary roughage level. Infrared thermography was able to detect differences in the body temperature of animals associated with different fibre proportions in the diets. However, the magnitude of these differences was small and further research is needed to investigate the application of IRT to the detection of possible differences in the body temperature of ruminants as part of the digestive process.

Additional keywords: animal nutrition, dry-matter intake, NDF ingestion, non-invasive analysis.


References

Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) (1993) ‘Energy and protein requirements of ruminants.’ (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)

AOAC (Eds) (1990) ‘Official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists.’ 15th edn. (AOAC: Washington, DC)

Armstrong DV, Welchert WT (1994) Dairy cattle housing to reduce stress in a hot arid climate. In ‘Proceedings of international dairy housing conference’. pp. 598–604. (ASAE: Orlando, FL)

Berry RJ, Kennedy AD, Scott SL (2003) Daily variation in the udder surface temperature of dairy cows measured by infrared thermography: potential for mastitis detection. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 83, 687–693.
Daily variation in the udder surface temperature of dairy cows measured by infrared thermography: potential for mastitis detection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bevans DH, Beauchemin KA, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, McKinnon JJ, McAllister TA (2005) Effect of rapid or gradual grain adaptation on subacute acidosis and feed intake by feedlot cattle. Journal of Animal Science 83, 1116–1132.
Effect of rapid or gradual grain adaptation on subacute acidosis and feed intake by feedlot cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXjslShtLw%3D&md5=8959a1b1d40a32bdcc4d451929147562CAS |

Black JL (1990) Nutrition of the grazing ruminant. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 50, 7–27.

Bouzida N, Bendada A, Maldague XP (2009) Visualization of body thermoregulation by infrared imaging. Journal of Thermal Biology 34, 120–126.
Visualization of body thermoregulation by infrared imaging.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brosh A (2007) Heart rate measurements as an index of energy expenditure and energy balance in ruminants: a review. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1213–1227.
Heart rate measurements as an index of energy expenditure and energy balance in ruminants: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXksF2htb0%3D&md5=d69a3be10ced76fd4b16103bd82d3858CAS |

Bull CR (1993) A review of sensing techniques which could be used to generate images of agricultural and food materials. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 8, 1–29.
A review of sensing techniques which could be used to generate images of agricultural and food materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Campos FP, Nussio CMB, Nussio LG (2002) ‘Métodos de análises de alimentos.’ (FEALQ: Piracicaba, SP)

Cavalcante SEAS, Sousa GGT, Pereira Júnior AC (2011) Fezes como fonte de inóculo microbiano alternativo ao líquido ruminal. In ‘Simposio Brasileiro de agropecuária sustentável’. pp. 975–978. (Universidade Federal de Lavras: Viçosa, Brazil)

Cecava MJ, Merchen NR, Berger LL, Mackie RI, Faheyet GC (1991) Effects of dietary energy level and protein source on nutrient digestion and ruminal nitrogen metabolism in steers. Journal of Animal Science 69, 2230–2243.
Effects of dietary energy level and protein source on nutrient digestion and ruminal nitrogen metabolism in steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3M3psVWnsA%3D%3D&md5=eeba4835aec9ee9d979e6866b429ffcfCAS |

Chaney AL, Marbach EP (1962) Modified reagents for determination of urea and ammonia. Clinical Chemistry 8, 130–137.

Chapaval L, Melotti L, Rossi Júnior P, Olivindo CS, Rego JPA (2008) Relação volumoso concentrado sobre as concentrações ruminais de amônia, pH e ácidos graxos voláteis em vacas leiteiras mestiças. Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal 9, 18–28.

Colak A, Polat P, Okumus Z, Kaya M, Yanmaz LE, Hayirli A (2008) Short Communication: Early detection of mastitis using infrared thermography in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 4244–4248.
Short Communication: Early detection of mastitis using infrared thermography in dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtlajtL7I&md5=8f3193739ac742a35307f8d1aaa6e3aeCAS |

Constanzo DA, Spain NJ, Spiers ED (1997) Supplementation of nicotinic for lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 1200–1206.
Supplementation of nicotinic for lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Crivellaro RS, Toresan W, Jr (2007) Sugestões de aplicação da termografia infravermelha na ciência forense. In ‘XX congresso nacional de criminalística’. (João Pessoa, Brazil)

Dikmen S, Hansen PJ (2009) Is the temperature-humidity index the best indicator of heat stress in lactating dairy cows in a subtropical environment? Journal of Dairy Science 92, 109–116.
Is the temperature-humidity index the best indicator of heat stress in lactating dairy cows in a subtropical environment?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXlsVOqsw%3D%3D&md5=ecccb4448225cfae222beeeadadeaa5bCAS |

Du Preez JH (2000) Parameters for the determination and evaluation of heat stress in dairy cattle in South Africa. The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 67, 263–271.

Ferreira LCB (2010) Respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de bovinos submetidos a diferentes ofertas de sombra. PhD Thesis, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Furlan RL, Macari M, Faria Filho DE (2006) Anatomia e fisiologia do trato gastrintestinal. In ‘Nutrição de ruminantes’. (Eds TT Berchielli, AV Pires, SG Oliveira) pp. 1–23. (Funep: Jaboticabal, Brazil)

Gloster J, Ebert K, Gubbins S, Bashiruddin J, Paton DJ (2011) Normal variation in thermal radiated temperature in cattle: implications for foot-and-mouth disease detection. BMC Veterinary Research 7, 73
Normal variation in thermal radiated temperature in cattle: implications for foot-and-mouth disease detection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Goering HK, Van Soest PJ (1970) ‘Forage fiber analysis: apparatus, reagents, procedures and some applications.’ (Agricultural Handbook: Washington, DC)

González DA, Madruga FJ, Quintela MA, Lopez-Huguera JM (2005) Defect assessment on radiant heaters using infrared thermography. NDT&E International 38, 428–432.
Defect assessment on radiant heaters using infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gowen AA, Tiwani BK, Gullen PJ, McDonnell K, O’Donnell CP (2010) Applications of thermal imaging in food quality and safety assessment. Trends in Food Science & Technology 21, 190–200.
Applications of thermal imaging in food quality and safety assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXjvFKgsbk%3D&md5=2ac4ecf8df50f6eda02126489a8251fbCAS |

Guimarães CMC, Falco JE, Titto EAL, Franzolin Neto R, Muniz JÁ (2001) Termorregulação em bubalinos submetidos a duas temperaturas de ar e duas proporções de volumoso:concentrado. Revista Ciência e Agrotecnologia 25, 437–443.

Hahn G, Gauchan JB, Mader TL, Eigenberg RA (2009) Thermal indices and their applications for livestock environments. In ‘Livestock energetics and thermal environmental management’.(Ed. JA DeShazer) pp. 113–130. (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: St Joseph, MI)

Hall MB (2001) Recent advances in non-carbohydrates for the nutrition of lactating cows. In ‘II SINLEITE: simpósio internacional de novos conceitos em nutrição’. pp. 139–159. (Lavras, Brazil)

Jasemian Y, Gazerani P, Dagnaes-Hansen F (2012) Infrared thermography in serotonin-induced itch model in rats. The Open Dermatology Journal 6, 1–7.
Infrared thermography in serotonin-induced itch model in rats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XivVKiu7s%3D&md5=940dd5c80ea44ca8527d449cd5b8ae1aCAS |

Knízková I, Kunc P, Gürdíl GAK, Pinar Y, Selví KÇ (2007) Applications of infrared thermography in animal production. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture 22, 329–336.

Kranner I, Kastberger G, Hartbauer M, Pritchard HW (2010) Noninvasive diagnosis of seed viability using infrared thermography. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 107, 3912–3917.
Noninvasive diagnosis of seed viability using infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXjtFyls7c%3D&md5=12c62bf95319f55972408cf422a8ea38CAS |

Leinonen I, Jones HG (2004) Combining thermal and visible imagery for estimating canopy temperature and identifying plant stress. Journal of Experimental Botany 55, 1423–1431.
Combining thermal and visible imagery for estimating canopy temperature and identifying plant stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXkvVSrsbc%3D&md5=73e67f7d338214073d4bc78b6aa56a6bCAS |

Littel RC, Milliken GA, Stroup WW, Wolfinger RD, Schabenberger O (2006) ‘SAS for mixed models’. 2nd edn. (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC)

Ludwig N, Gargano M, Luzi F, Carenzi C, Verga M (2007) Technical note: applicability of infrared thermography as a non-invasive measurement of stress in rabbit. World Rabbit Science 15, 199–206.

Mader TL, Davis MS, Brown-Brandl T (2006) Environmental factors influencing heat stress in feedlot cattle. Journal of Animal Science 84, 712–719.
Environmental factors influencing heat stress in feedlot cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhvFygsL8%3D&md5=897ad77bb138e11a3a5722f8ecc36395CAS |

Maldague X (2001) ‘Infrared and thermal testing: nondestructive testing handbook.’ 3rd edn. (Columbus, OH)

Montanholi YR, Odongo NE, Swanson KC, Schenkel FS, McBride B, Miller SP (2008) Application of infrared thermography as an indicator of heat and methane production and its use in the study of skin temperature in response to physiological events in dairy cattle (Bos taurus). Journal of Thermal Biology 33, 468–475.
Application of infrared thermography as an indicator of heat and methane production and its use in the study of skin temperature in response to physiological events in dairy cattle (Bos taurus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVWhtL7F&md5=fc983cf8d8d9c8d14506b0ad5a8b3ad5CAS |

Moran J (2005) How the rumen works. In ‘Tropical dairy farming: feeding management for small holder dairy farmers in the humid tropics’. pp. 41–49. (Landlinks Press: Melbourne)

Mota MF, Vilela DA, Santos GT, Elyas ACW, Lopes FCF, Verneque RS, Paiva PCA, Pinto Neto A (2010) Parâmetros ruminais de vacas leiteiras mantidas em pastagem tropical. Archivos de Zootecnia 59, 217–224.
Parâmetros ruminais de vacas leiteiras mantidas em pastagem tropical.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXpt1OrtL4%3D&md5=14e3f56d0b996825f3665c3ab5041830CAS |

National Research Council (2001) ‘Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle.’ 7th rev. edn. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)

Nikkhah A, Plaizier JC, Einarson MS, Berry RJ, Scott SL, Kennedy AD (2005) Short communication: infrared thermography and visual examination of hooves of dairy cows in two stages of lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 2749–2753.
Short communication: infrared thermography and visual examination of hooves of dairy cows in two stages of lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmsFejs7k%3D&md5=c568bb83de446ae53528646f8e6aa08aCAS |

Owens FN, Goetsch AL (1988) Ruminal fermentation. In ‘The ruminant animal digestive physiology and nutrition’. (Ed. DC Church) pp. 146–171. (Englewood Cliffs, O. & Books Inc.: Corvallis, OR)

Rainwater-Lovett K, Pacheco JM, Packer C, Rodriguez LL (2009) Detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus infected cattle using infrared thermography. Veterinary Journal (London, England) 180, 317–324.
Detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus infected cattle using infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ramirez MA (2011) Valor nutricional do feno de Brachiaria decumbens em três idades. PhD Thesis, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerias, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Ring FJ (1995) Criteria for thermal imaging in medicine. In ‘Proceedings of the 17th annual conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society’. pp. 1697–1698. (Montreal, Canada)

Rustomo B, AlZahal O, Odongo NE, Duffield TF, McBride BW (2006) Effects of rumen acid load from feed and forage particle size on ruminal pH and dry matter intake in the lactating dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 4758–4768.
Effects of rumen acid load from feed and forage particle size on ruminal pH and dry matter intake in the lactating dairy cow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtlWgsrvF&md5=55a4e7be6ab6b4ddfc55163ea23aa4dbCAS |

Salles MVS, Corrêa SS, Salles FA, Roma Júnior LC, El Faro L, Mac Lean PAB, Lins Oliveira CE, Martello LS (2016) Mapping the body surface temperature of cattle by infrared thermography. Journal of Thermal Biology 62, 63–69.
Mapping the body surface temperature of cattle by infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Santos JRS, Souza BB, Souza WH, César MF, Tavares GP (2006) Respostas fisiológicas e gradientes térmicos de ovinos das raças Santa Inês, Morada Nova e seus cruzamentos com a raça Dorper às condições do semi-árido nordestino. Ciência e Agrotecnologia 30, 995–1001.
Respostas fisiológicas e gradientes térmicos de ovinos das raças Santa Inês, Morada Nova e seus cruzamentos com a raça Dorper às condições do semi-árido nordestino.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schaefer AL, Cook NJ, Church JS, Basarab J, Perry BJ, Miller C, Tong AKW (2007) The use of infrared thermography as an early indicator of bovine respiratory disease complex in calves. Research in Veterinary Science 83, 376–384.
The use of infrared thermography as an early indicator of bovine respiratory disease complex in calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2srlsVKlug%3D%3D&md5=6481656a73838e17154eed85a11a88bcCAS |

Schmidt P, Novinski CO, Junges D, Almeirda R, Souza CM (2015) Concentration of mycotoxins and chemical composition of corn silage: a farm survey using infrared thermography. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 6609–6619.
Concentration of mycotoxins and chemical composition of corn silage: a farm survey using infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhtFels7rM&md5=0df088c93522b3d65ebaf4a4b51c58e9CAS |

Signoretti RD, Coelho Silva JF, Valadares Filho SC, Pereira JC, Araújo GGL, Cecon PR, Queiroz AC, Muniz EB (1999) Crescimento, conversão alimentar e rendimento de carcaça de bezerros da raça holandesa alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de volumoso. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 28, 185–194.
Crescimento, conversão alimentar e rendimento de carcaça de bezerros da raça holandesa alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de volumoso.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stewart M, Webster J, Schaefer A, Stafford K (2007) Non-invasive measurement of stress in dairy cows using infrared thermography. Physiology & Behavior 92, 520–525.
Non-invasive measurement of stress in dairy cows using infrared thermography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtF2htr3L&md5=ddff470b0588914f4f7af64ddddc620aCAS |

Stock RA, Lewis JM, Klopfenstein TJ, Milton CT (1999) Review of new information on the use of wet and dry milling feed by-products in feedlot diets. Proceedings of the American Society of Animal Science 77, 1–12.

van den Heuvel CJ, Ferguson SA, Gilbert SS, Dawson D (2004) Thermoregulation in normal sleep and insomnia: the role of peripheral heat loss and new applications for digital thermal infrared imaging (DITI). Journal of Thermal Biology 29, 457–461.
Thermoregulation in normal sleep and insomnia: the role of peripheral heat loss and new applications for digital thermal infrared imaging (DITI).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Nevel CJ, Demeyer DI (1996) Influence of pH on lipolysis and biohydrogenation of soybean oil by rumen contents in vitro. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 36, 53–63.
Influence of pH on lipolysis and biohydrogenation of soybean oil by rumen contents in vitro.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XislGnsLg%3D&md5=b96813bf3e8b69d1aba705c3cd534b1eCAS |

Van Soest PJ (1994) ‘Nutritional ecology of the ruminant.’ 2nd edn. (Cornell University Press: Ithaca, NY)

Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber neutral detergent fiber, and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
Methods for dietary fiber neutral detergent fiber, and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FnvVCltA%3D%3D&md5=134fffdb99e7905cf25104d139000225CAS |

Weiss WP, Conrad HR, St Pierre NR (1992) A theoretically-based model for predicting total digestible nutrient values of forages and concentrates. Animal Feed Science and Technology 39, 95–110.
A theoretically-based model for predicting total digestible nutrient values of forages and concentrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXkvFertL8%3D&md5=9ffc63bd588b2b29ea5dd567311299f8CAS |

Yang WZ, Beauchemin KA (2007) Altering physically effective fiber intake through forage proportion and particle length: chewing and ruminal pH. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 2826–2838.
Altering physically effective fiber intake through forage proportion and particle length: chewing and ruminal pH.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXlvFOit78%3D&md5=b2895ddc7e6122989b98b756a66f4014CAS |

Yang WZ, Beauchemin KA, Rode LM (2001) Effects of grain processing, forage to concentrate ratio, and forage particle size on rumen pH and digestion by dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 2203–2216.
Effects of grain processing, forage to concentrate ratio, and forage particle size on rumen pH and digestion by dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnvV2ksL4%3D&md5=e243db7e9d184574bc92fefd1be9392cCAS |