Rumen-protected methionine modulates body temperature and reduces the incidence of heat stress temperatures during the hottest hours of the day of grazing heat-stressed Bos indicus beef cows

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of supplementation of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on body thermoregulation and conception rate of Nelore cows exposed to high temperature–humidity index (THI). On −31 days before the artificial insemination protocol, 562 lactating, multiparous cows were assigned to receive (MG) or not (CG) RPM supplementation (3 g/cow mixed into 100 g of mineral supplement). Both groups remained in tropical pastures and received supplementation for 77 days. A subset of cows (n = 142) remained with an intravaginal thermometer collecting intravaginal temperature (IT). The respective minimum, average, and maximum environmental THI were 72.8, 78.0, and 83.3. Effects of treatment × hour of the day were detected (P < 0.0001) for IT. From 1330 to 1730 h and 1830 to 1900 h, IT was higher (P < 0.05) for CG versus MG cows when exposed to moderate and high THI. The supplementation with RPM did not affect conception rate (CG = 64.4% vs. MG = 58.2%; P > 0.05). In conclusion, 3 g of RPM supplementation lowered internal body temperature and possibly altered critical THI threshold in Nelore cows with no impact on reproduction.