Thermoregulatory and hematological responses of Romosinuano cattle rival those of Bos indicus breeds under Colombian low−tropic conditions Romosinuano responses to thermal stress
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Abstract
Cattle in tropical regions face environmental stressors such as high temperatures, humidity, and intense solar radiation, which challenge their physiological homeostasis and productivity. Heat stress triggers adaptive responses, including changes in respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and hematological parameters, serving as biomarkers for breed adaptability. Romosinuano (Bos taurus) cattle are prized for their heat tolerance, parasite resistance, and ability to thrive on low−quality foragein sustainable tropical livestock systems. While Bos indicus are naturally heat−adapted, B. taurus may have developed local adaptations through centuries of natural selection. This study aims to characterize and compare the adaptive responses of Romosinuano with two B. indicus breeds in Colombia’s low tropics, to test the hypothesis that Romosinuano may exhibit similar thermoregulatory efficiency to B. indicus cattle. Blood samples were collected and physiological parameters were measured from thirty−two Romosinuano males during the dry and rainy seasons of 2023. In the present work, the Romosinuano breed exhibited higher respiratory frequency and skin temperature (P < 0.05) yet presented significantly lower systemic temperature (P < 0.05). During the rain period, Brahman and Gyr showed significantly elevated red and white blood cell counts compared to Romosinuano (P < 0.05), indicating greater thermal stress susceptibility in these breeds under tropical conditions. Our findings demonstrate that the Romosinuano breed, despite its European (B. taurus) origin, has developed remarkable tropical adaptation through 500 years of natural and artificial selection in Colombia's low−altitude tropical climate.
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