Insights into heat stress physiological modifications of Libyan dairy cattle during summer season

Abstract

Libya is a Mediterranean Sea country located in North Africa and characterized with five different climatic zones dominated by both Mediterranean and Saharan. During summer season, the massive increase in temperature and humidity has become a major concern for farmers and dairy producers due to its heat stress induction, which significantly affect milk production, causing large economic losses. Heat stress in dairy cattle have been associated with significant behavioral, nutritional physiology and biochemistry of dairy cattle. This review delivers a comprehensive discussion regarding the state of dairy cows in Libya and the effect of summer season high temperature and humidity on the nutritional physiology and biochemistry of the Libyan dairy cattle. Physiological and behavioral modifications as well as milk production and negative energy balance in lactating cows also highlighted. Presenting the potentials, challenges and future prospective to combat heat stress for dairy cows.