Frolov AN, Zavyalov ОА, Platonov SA, Aldyarov ТВ, Galieva ZA, Nasambaev EG.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025. Vol. 108. No. 4. Р. 18-30.

doi:10.33284/2658-3135-108-4-18

 

Original article

Hair biomarkers: hormonal and elemental responses of bulls to extreme temperature

 

Alexey N Frolov1, Oleg A Zavyalov2, Stanislav A Platonov3, Timur B Aldyarov4,

Zulfiya A Galieva5,6, Edige G Nasambaev7

1,2,3,4,5Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia

6Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ufa, Russia

7West Kazakhstan Innovative and Technological University, Uralsk, Republic of Kazakhstan

1forleh@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4525-2554

2zavyalov83@mail.ru, https:// orcid.org/0000-0003-2033-3956

3platonstas1994@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9806-412X

4aldyyarov97@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8636-7553

5,6zulfia2704@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6588-3316

7nasambaeve@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0995-7832

Abstract. A comprehensive study was conducted to examine the impact of extreme temperatures on the physiological status of Kalmyk bulls, employing a novel approach: hair analysis as an integral biomarker of cumulative stress. The study revealed statistically significant changes in the hormonal profile during heat stress, specifically an increase in the concentration of cortisol (by 9.95%) and adrenaline, along with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This was accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in thyroid hormones (thyroxine by 43.5%, triiodothyronine by 50.3%). Significant disturbances were also observed in elemental metabolism, with a decrease in the content of macronutrients (K by 16.7%, Ca by 12.9%, Mg by 33.3%) and essential micronutrients (Fe by 22.0%, Zn by 24.3%, Co by 27.9%) under heat stress conditions. Hematological studies indicated the development of erythrocytopenia, characterized by a 15.9% decrease in red blood cell count, and severe eosinopenia (a 23.0% decrease). These findings confirm the high informative value of hair analysis for monitoring the physiological state of animals and highlight the need to develop specialized measures to correct the identified metabolic disorders in cattle maintained in extreme climatic conditions.

Keywords: cattle, Kalmyk breed, thermal stress, hair coat, hormonal status, elemental composition, adaptation

Acknowledgments: the   work  was  supported  by  the  Russian  Science  Foundation,  Project  No. 24-16-00093.

For citation: Frolov AN, Zavyalov ОА, Platonov SA, Aldyarov ТВ, Galieva ZA, Nasambaev EG. Hair biomarkers: hormonal and elemental responses of bulls to extreme temperature. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(4):18-30. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-108-4-18

References

 

  1. Vinogradova ND, Safronov SL. Dynamics of beef cattle breeding in Russia. News of Saint-Petersburg State Agrarian University. 2024;2(76):64-74. doi: 10.24411/2078-1318-2024-2-64-74
  2. Shakirov ShK, Safina NYu, Aminova AL, Mustafin IG, Shiriev VM. Consequences of the heat stress in forage production and animal husbandry and ways to solve them (review). Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(1):96-114. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-1-96
  3. Frolov AN, Zavyalov OA. The influence of season on the elemental status and productive qualities of bulls. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2024;107(4):31-40. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-107-4-31
  4. Apple JK, Kegley EB, Galloway DL, Wistuba TJ, Rakes LK. Effects of dietary energy intake and protein concentration on performance and visceral organ mass in finishing beef steers. Journal of Animal Science. 2011;89(1):270-281. doi: 10.2527/jas.2010-3306
  5. Baier F, Grandin T, Engle T, Edwards-Callaway L. Evaluation of hair characteristics and animal age on the impact of hair cortisol concentration in feedlot steers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2019;6:323. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00323
  6. Bandzaite V, Klimiene I, Spakauskas V, Matusevicius A. Interaction between the levels of hormones and minerals in sera of healthy and sick cows. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 2005;8(4):269-274.
  7. Bernabucci U, Lacetera N,  Baumgard LH,  Rhoads RP,  Ronchi B, Nardone A. Metabolic  and  hormonal  acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal. 2010;4(7):1167-1183. doi: 10.1017/S175173111000090X
  8. Campana A, Valle S, Raminelli S, Favretto D, Pizzol D, Campagnolo, M, Pellizzato M, Fadini GP. Profiling steroid and thyroid hormones with hair analysis in a cohort of women: a feasibility study. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022;13:846171. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.846171.
  9. Chen L, Thorup VM, Kudahl AB, Østergaard S. Effects of heat stress on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and feed efficiency in dairy cows: A meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science. 2024;107(5):3207-3218. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-24059
  10. Collier RJ, Dahl GE, VanBaale MJ. Major advances associated with environmental effects on dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 2006;89(4):1244-1253. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72193-2
  11. Collier RJ, Renquist BJ, Xiao Y. A 100-Year Review: Stress physiology including heat stress. Journal of Dairy Science. 2017;100(12):10367-10380. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13676
  12. Dhabhar FS, Malarkey WB, Neri E, McEwen BS. Stress-induced redistribution of immune cells--from barracks to boulevards to battlefields: a tale of three hormones--Curt Richter Award winner. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012;37(9):1345-1368. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.05.008
  13. García-Torres S, Cabeza  de Vaca M, Tejerina D, Romero-Fernández MP, Ortiz A, Franco D, Sentandreu MA, Oliván M. Assessment of stress by serum biomarkers in calves and their relationship to ultimate pH as an indicator of meat quality. Animals. 2021;11(8):2291. doi: 10.3390/ani11082291
  14. Habib-Ur-Rahman M, Ahmad A, Raza A, Hasnain MU, Alharby HF, Alzahrani YM, Bamagoos AA, Hakeem KR, Ahmad S, Nasim W, Ali S, Mansour F, El Sabagh A. Impact of climate change on agricultural production; Issues, challenges, and opportunities in Asia. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2022;13:925548. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.925548
  15. Lacetera N, Bernabucci U, Scalia D, Basiricò L, Morera P, Nardone A. Heat stress elicits different responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Brown Swiss and Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 2006;89(12):4606-4612. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72510-3
  16. Meyer J, Novak M, Hamel A, Rosenberg K. Extraction and analysis of cortisol from human and monkey hair. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2014;24(83):e50882. doi: 10.3791/50882
  17. Miroshnikov S, Kharlamov A,  Zavyalov O, Frolov A, Bolodurina I, Arapova O, Duskaev G. Method of sampling beef cattle hair for assessment of elemental profile. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2015;14(9):632-636. doi: 10.3923/pjn.2015.632.636
  18. Mullur R, Liu YY, Brent GA. Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiological Reviews. 2014;94(2):355-382. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00030.2013
  19. Russell E, Koren G, Rieder M, Van Uum S. Hair cortisol as a biological marker of chronic stress: current status, future directions and unanswered questions. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012;37(5):589-601. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.09.009
  20. Sanchez WK,  McGuire MA, Beede DK. Macromineral nutrition by heat stress interactions  in  dairy  cattle:  review  and original research. Journal of Dairy Science. 1994;77(7):2051-2079. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(94)77150-2
  21. Spears JW, Weiss WP. Role of antioxidants and trace elements in health and immunity of transition dairy cows. Veterinary Journal. 2008;176(1):70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.12.015
  22. Tao S, Bubolz JW, do Amaral BC, Thompson IM, Hayen MJ, Johnson SE, Dahl GE. Effect of heat stress during the dry period on mammary gland development. J Dairy Sci. 2011;94(12):5976-86. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-4329.
  23. West JW. Effects of heat-stress on production in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 2003;86(6):2131-2144. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73803-X

Information about the authors:

Alexey N Frolov, Dr Sci. (Biology), Leading Researcher of the Department of Beef Cattle Breeding and Beef Production Technology, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000, tel.: +7 (3532) 30-81-78.

Oleg A Zavyalov, Dr Sci. (Biology), Leading Researcher of the Department of Beef Cattle Breeding and Beef Production Technology, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000.

Stanislav A Platonov, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Researcher at the Department of Technology of Beef Cattle Breeding and Beef Production, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000, tel.: 89619483786.

Timur B Aldyarov, Cand. Sci. (Agriculture), Researcher at the Department of Technology of Beef Cattle Breeding and Beef Production, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000.

Zulfiya A Galieva, Cand. Sci. (Agriculture), Researcher of the Department of Beef Cattle Breeding and Beef Production Technology, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000; Associate Professor, Bashkir State Agrarian University, 34, 50-letiya Oktyabrya St., Ufa, 450001, Republic of Bashkortostan.

Edige G Nasambaev, Dr. Sci. (Agriculture), Professor of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Technosphere Safety, West Kazakhstan Innovative and Technological University, Uralsk, N. Nazarbayev Avenue, 208, Republic of Kazakhstan, 090000. tel.: 8 (7112) 51-12-33.

The article was submitted 21.10.2025; approved after reviewing 14.11.2025; accepted for publication 15.12.2025.

Download