Multigenerational effects of heat stress
Our research explores the multigenerational and potential transgenerational effects of late-gestation heat stress in dairy cows. It focuses on how exposure to heat stress during the last trimester of gestation impacts the daughter’s (F1, via in utero exposure) and granddaughters’ (F2, via the fetal germile).
We have documented reductions in survival, milk production, and productive life in F1 cows, as well as early-life losses and decreased production in F2 cows. Ongoing research on F3 great-granddaughters aims to determine whether the long-term effects of heat stress on productivity and resilience persist across generations.
Publications: Laporta et al., 2020; Laporta et al., 2021; Davidson et al., 2023; Larsen et al., 2024; Laporta et al., 2024.
Quick Fact
Late-gestation heat stress decreases the cow’s milk production in the subsequent lactation and her daughter’s and granddaughter’s future production potential.
Quick Fact
Heat stress alters DNA methylation patterns that can persist into adulthood.
Graduate students:
Bethany Dado-Senn, Brittney Davidson, and Grace Larsen
Photo Gallery & Key Findings
In utero heat stress reduces survival rate and longevity
and programs future milk yield of the F1 and the F2
In utero heat stress programs early life mammary
development without impacting feed intake or growth
of the F2 progeny
Late-gestation heat stress modifies
sweat gland and skin morphology
of the F1 and F2 progeny
In utero heat stress programs
calf thermo-tolerance of the F1 progeny
