Effect of Heat Stress on Reproduction in Dairy Cows: Insights into the Cellular and Molecular Responses of the Oocyte

Zvi Roth*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Among the components of the female reproductive tract, the ovarian pool of follicles and their enclosed oocytes are highly sensitive to hyperthermia. Heat-induced alterations in small antral follicles can be expressed later as compromised maturation and developmental capacity of the ovulating oocyte. This review summarizes the most up-to-date information on the effects of heat stress on the oocyte with an emphasis on unclear points and open questions, some of which might involve new research directions, for instance, whether preantral follicles are heat resistant. The review focuses on the follicle-enclosed oocytes, provides new insights into the cellular and molecular responses of the oocyte to elevated temperature, points out the role of the follicle microenvironment, and discusses some mechanisms that might underlie oocyte impairment. Mechanisms include nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, mitochondrial function, apoptotic pathways, and oxidative stress. Understanding the mechanism by which heat stress compromises fertility might enable development of new strategies to mitigate its effects.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)151-170
Number of pages20
JournalAnnual Review of Animal Biosciences
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Feb 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright ©2017 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Dairy cows
  • Fertility
  • Heat stress
  • Mitochondria apoptosis
  • Oocyte competence
  • Oxidative stress

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