
Robert J CollierThe University of Idaho · Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Robert J Collier
About
304
Publications
106,753
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
17,451
Citations
Introduction
Robert J. Collier is currently Professor and Head of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at the University of Idaho,
Additional affiliations
May 2017 - August 2017
July 1999 - present
July 1985 - July 1999
Publications
Publications (304)
Cooling systems used to reduce heat stress in dairy operations require high energy, water usage, or both. Steady increases in electricity costs and reduction of water availability and an increase in water usage regulations require evaluation of passive cooling systems to cool cows and reduce use of water and electricity. A study was conducted to ev...
The dairy industry depends upon the cow's successful lactation for economic profitability. Heat stress compromises the economic sustainability of the dairy industry by reducing milk production and increasing the risk of metabolic and pathogenic disease. Heat stress alters metabolic adaptations, such as nutrient mobilization and partitioning, that s...
Three management tools consistently increase milk yield in lactating dairy cows during established lactation: administrating exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST), increased milking frequency and increased photoperiod. Short day length during the dry period also increases milk yield postpartum while long day length during the dry period is associated...
Since the end of the Second World War, the United States has pursued a national policy of an abundant and inexpensive food supply. Increased animal productivity has improved efficiencies of animal production and reduced the carbon footprint for production of meat, milk, and eggs. Some components of the technologies employed by animal producers to i...
Adrenal responsiveness was tested in nonpregnant, lactating Holstein dairy cows fed diets supplemented with OmniGen-AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health Corp., Teaneck, NJ), an immune modulator, and in nonsupplemented control (CON) cows following bolus infusions of a combination of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 0.3 µg/kg of BW) and arginine vasopre...
It has been suggested that Zn can improve growth and health status when it supplemented during pre-weaning; however, the optimal time of supplementation has not well elucidated in rearing Holstein calves. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate an organic source of Zn on the growth performance and health status of Holstein calves. Three tr...
Introduction:
In desert climates, high temperatures can cause heat stress on dairy farms. A viable alternative to this problem is to develop a network of water pipes connected to heat exchangers (HEs) that operate as a conductive cooling system.
Objective:
To propose a water supply system connected to a series of HEs, installed under bedding in a...
Holstein cows (n = 30) were balanced by days in milk, milk production, and parity (91 ± 5.9 d in milk, 36.2 ± 2.5 kg/d, and 3.1 ± 1.4, respectively) and fed OmniGen-AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ), an immune stimulant, at 0 g/cow per d for control (CON) or 56 g/cow per d for OG for 52 d on a commercial dairy. At 52 d of the study cows we...
Apocrine sweat glands in bovine skin are involved in thermoregulation. Human, horse, and sheep sweat gland epithelial cells have been isolated and grown in vitro. The present study was conducted to identify a method to isolate bovine sweat glands and culture apocrine bovine sweat gland epithelial cells in vitro. Mechanical shearing, collagenase dig...
The heritability of milk yield is 0.25, which indicates that only 25% of the difference between milk yield in cattle is due to their genomic makeup while fully 75% is due to the environment the cow is in, which includes all management, environmental, and physical factors impacting cows during their lactation. Primary genetic factors influence the a...
The latter half of the 20th century and the early portion of the 21st century will be recognized as the “Golden Age” of lactation biology. This period corresponded with the rise of systemic, metabolomic, molecular, and genomic biology. It includes the discovery of the structure of DNA and ends with the sequencing of the complete genomes of humans a...
We have seen remarkable advances in animal productivity in the last 75 years, with annual milk yield per cow increasing over 4-fold and no evidence of nearing a plateau. Because of these gains in productive efficiency, there have been dramatic reductions in resource inputs and the carbon footprint per unit of milk produced. The primary source for t...
Stress is an external event or condition that places a strain on a biological system. The animal response to a stress involves the expenditure of energy to remove or reduce the impact of the stress. This increases maintenance requirements of the animal and results in loss of production. The biological response to stress is divided into acute and ch...
The latter half of the 20th century and the first half of the 21st century will be recognized as the “Golden Age” of Lactation Biology. This period corresponded with the rise of systemic , metabolomic, molecular and genomic biology. It opens with the discovery of the structure of DNA and ends with the sequencing of the complete genomes of humans an...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy, breed, and hair coat on body temperature and sweating rate (SR) of hair sheep. St. Croix White (STX; = 9) and Dorper × STX (DRPX; = 9) ewes (3.6 yr of age) were evaluated over 4 d at 126 d of gestation (PREG) and over 4 d at 46 d postpartum (OPEN) in the shade and sun and in the m...
The objective of this study was to investigate the direct effects of feed supplements niacin and betaine on the heat shock responses of in vitro cultured cells derived from bovine mammary and uterine tissues. First, we determined the mRNA expression profiles of the niacin receptor (GPR109A) in bovine tissues (liver, skin, uterus, udder, and ovary)...
Objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) treatment of periparturient dairy cows on hepatic mRNA expression for genes related to the somatotropic axis, insulin, glucose, and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Holstein cows were enrolled in the experiment at 253 ± 3 d of g...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy, breed, and hair coat on body temperature and sweating rate (SR) of hair sheep. St. Croix White (STX; n = 9) and Dorper ☓ STX (DRPX; n = 9) ewes (3.6 yr of age) were evaluated over 4 d at 126 d of gestation (PREG) and over 4 d at 46 d postpartum (OPEN) in the shade and sun and in t...
Today, more than 3.6 billion domestic ruminant animals, primarily cattle, sheep, and goats, contribute significantly to the global economy (Hackmann and Spain, 2009). In the last 30 years, there have been considerable improvements in ruminant production, and these advances must continue in order to meet growing demands. This chapter will review the...
Betaine (BET), a natural, organic osmolyte, improves cellular efficiency by acting as a chaperone, refolding denatured proteins. To test if dietary BET reduced the effect of heat stress (HS) in lactating dairy cows, multiparous, lactating Holstein cows (n = 24) were blocked by days in milk (101.4 ± 8.6 d) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 daily intak...
A trial was performed to assess the effect of evaporative pads on core body temperature (CBT) and lying behavior of lactating Holstein cows housed in cross-ventilated freestall facilities in a humid environment. This trial was undertaken in 2 barns equipped with (EP) or without (NP) evaporative pads. Each facility had 4 pens, 1 baffle/pen, and a no...
Efficacy of 2 cooling systems (Korral Kool, KK, Korral Kool Inc., Mesa, AZ; FlipFan dairy system, FF, Schaefer Ventilation Equipment LLC, Sauk Rapids, MN) was estimated utilizing 400 multiparous Holstein dairy cows randomly assigned to 1 of 4 cooled California-style shade pens (2 shade pens per cooling system). Each shaded pen contained 100 cows (d...
Historically, the dairy industry has made remarkable gains in productivity and a gallon of milk can be produced today with less feed resource inputs and a markedly reduced carbon footprint. Recombinant bovine somatotropin is a production-enhancing technology and 20 years commercial use of POSILAC® (rbST-Zn) provided the backdrop for an updated meta...
Milking frequency is known to affect milk production and lactation persistence in dairy cows. Despite this, the mechanisms underlying this effect are only partially understood. Previous work in dairy cows examining increases in milk yield due to increased milking frequency have identified changes in apoptosis and expression of genes regulating cyto...
The objective of this study was to evaluate in cattle, the effects of acute exposure to a heat stress (HS) environment on the status of the pituitary (thyrotropin, TSH)-thyroid (thyroxine, T4)-peripheral tissue T4 deiodination (type 1 5'-deiodinase [D1]; triiodothyronine [T3]; reverse-triiodothyronine [rT3]) axis, and the further response of this p...
Cattle show several responses to heat load, including spending more time standing. Little is known about what benefit this may provide for the animals. Data from 3 separate cooling management trials were analyzed to investigate the relationship between behavioral patterns in lactating dairy cows experiencing mild to moderate heat stress and their b...
The thermal environment is the most important ecological factor determining the growth, development, and productivity of domestic animals. Routes of energy exchange (sensible heat and latent heat) between animals and their environment are greatly influenced by body weight, fat deposition, hair-coat properties, functional activity, and number of swe...
Objective:
To provide an updated evaluation of the efficacy and safety of sometribove zinc suspension (rbST-Zn), a form of recombinant bovine somatotropin, in lactating dairy cows.
Design:
Meta-analysis.
Sample:
26 studies published in peer-reviewed journals or reviewed by a regulatory agency.
Procedures:
To be included, a study had to invol...
Abstract Text:
The typical cooling system utilized to reduce heat stress in dairy operations requires high energy and/or water usage. With the steady increase in electricity costs and reduction of water availability and increase in water usage regulations, passive cooling systems need to be investigated as ways to cool cows and reduce the utiliza...
Abstract Text:
The objective was to evaluate physiological, behavioral and hormonal changes in lactating cows supplemented with OmniGen-AF (Prince Agri Products, Inc.) subjected to heat stress. Thirty lactating Holstein cows from an Arizona were assigned to a control diet (CON, n=15h) or control diet plus OmniGen-AF (OG, n=15h). Cows within diet...
Abstract Text:
Apocrine sweat glands in bovine skin are involved in thermoregulation. Human, horse and sheep sweat gland epithelial cells have been isolated and grown in vitro. However, isolation of bovine sweat gland epithelial cells (BSGEC) has never been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated that serotonin (5-HT) is an important local reg...
Abstract Text:
The commercial form of recombinant bovine somatotropin, sometribove zinc formulation (rbST-Zn), was approved by FDA as safe and has been successfully used by the U.S. dairy industry since 1994. However, a meta-analysis by an expert panel assembled at the request of Health Canada concluded that the commercial use of rbST would cause...
Twenty-four multiparous high-producing dairy cows (40.0 ± 1.4 kg/d) were used in a factorial design to evaluate effects of 2 environments [thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS)] and a dose range of dietary rumen-protected niacin (RPN; 0, 4, 8, or 12 g/d) on body temperature, sweating rate, feed intake, water intake, production parameters, and blo...
The objective of this research was to evaluate source and extent of tropical adaptation affecting heifer BW and productivity traits. The F1 heifers with Brangus (BN) dams were sired by Braford (BFBN; n = 44), Hereford (HEBN; n = 29), and Bonsmara (BOBN; n = 58) sires. The F1 heifers with Angus (AN) dams were sired by Hereford (HEAN; n = 32) and Bon...
The 20 y of commercial use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) in the US provide the backdrop for reviewing the outcome of use on human health issues by the upcoming 78(th) Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These results and further advancements in scientific knowledge indicate there are no new human health issu...
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a very simple molecule that plays key roles in complex communication mechanisms within the animal body. In the mammary glands, serotonin biosynthesis and secretion are induced in response to dilation of the alveolar spaces. Since its discovery several years ago, mammary 5-HT has been demonstrated to perform...
This book contains 17 chapters focusing on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, food security, water resources and economic stability. Strategies to develop sustainable systems that minimize impact on climate and/or mitigate the effects of human activity on climate change are also presented.
The objective of this research was to evaluate the source and extent of tropical adaptation affecting feedlot and carcass traits. Calves of Brangus (BN) dams were sired by Braford (BFBN; n = 63; 38% Brahman), Hereford (HEBN; n = 38; 19% Brahman), and Bonsmara (BOBN; n = 53; 19% Brahman and 31% Africander) sires. Calves of Angus (AN) dams were sired...
Growth traits were evaluated on 560 calves (288 male and 272 female calves) to determine the source and extent of tropical adaptation affecting calf pre-weaning and postweaning growth performances. Calves with Brangus dams were sired by Braford (BFBN; n = 115; 38% Brahman), Hereford (HEBN; n = 92; 19% Brahman), and Bonsmara (BOBN; n = 139; 19% Brah...
Objectives of this study were to measure both daily and periprandial plasma ghrelin concentrations of postpubertal Holstein heifers during prolonged undernutrition. Following an acclimation period, Holstein heifers [n = 10; 339.5 ± 8.6 kg of body weight (BW)] were fed ad libitum [well fed (WF); n = 5] or restricted to 50% of ad libitum intake [unde...
Although there is a good amount of knowledge about the physiological aspects, the effects of heat stress at the cellular and genetic level still remain unrevealed. Functional genomics research is providing new knowledge about the impact of heat stress on livestock production and reproduction. Using functional genomics to identify genes that are up-...
Heat stress negatively impacts on a variety of animal production parameters. Advances in management strategies have alleviated some of the negative impacts of thermal stress on farm animals, but production continues to markedly decrease during heat events in summer, particularly in dairy cattle. In this paper we introduce a Dairy Risk Assessment Pr...
Cows readily seek shade to reduce solar heat load during periods of high ambient temperature. Typically, auxiliary cooling systems are oriented to maximize cooling for shaded cows. However, when a shade structure is oriented north-south, stationary fan and mister cooling systems are unable to track shade as the sun's angle shifts throughout the day...
Niacin has been shown to increase resistance to thermal stress in cattle by increasing evaporative heat loss in vivo and cellular heat shock response by increasing gene expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 during thermal stress in vitro. To determine effects of feeding encapsulated niacin on vaginal temperature, milk yield and composition, a...
Heat stress negatively impacts on a variety of animal production parameters. Advances in management strategies have alleviated some of the negative impacts of thermal stress on farm animals, but production continues to markedly decrease during heat events in summer, particularly in dairy cattle. In this paper we introduce a Dairy Risk Assessment Pr...
The aim of this experiment was to localize the mRNA and protein of ghrelin and its active receptor, growth hormone secretagogue 1A (GHS-R1A), within the reproductive tract of dairy cattle. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone that has been identified as a potent regulator of energy homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that ghrelin may also serve as a...
The collection of calf birth weight on US dairies is not a common practice. Calf birth weight was collected on 3 dairies (2 Holstein herds and 1 Jersey herd) over a 6-wk period. All calf birth weights were collected less than 2 h after birth. A total of 872 calves were weighed by a spring scale and their weight was also estimated using a hoof circu...
Despite many challenges faced by animal producers, including environmental problems, diseases, economic pressure, and feed availability, it is still predicted that animal production in developing countries will continue to sustain the future growth of the world's meat production. In these areas, livestock performance is generally lower than those o...
The dry period is required to facilitate cell turnover in the bovine mammary gland in order to optimize milk yield in the next lactation. Traditionally, an 8-week dry period has been a standard management practice for dairy cows based on retrospective analyses of milk yields following various dry period lengths. However, as milk production per cow...
IntroductionUnderstanding the Temporal Determinates of Stress ResponsesA Proposed Model of Environment-Health InteractionsSome Aspects of Thermodynamics and the Biology of AdaptationIntracellular Competition and Physiological OptimaResponse Magnitude: The Difference between Coordination, Communication, and StressHow Does the Cell Sense Its State of...
Environmental stress is one of the most significant factors affecting livestock performance and health, and it is only expected to increase with effects of global warming. Environmental Physiology of Livestock brings together the latest research on environmental physiology, summarizing progress in the field and providing directions for future resea...
Heat stress in cattle occurs when the heat load associated with ambient air temperature solar radiation and humidity exceeds the ability of the cow to dissipate excess heat from work and metabolism. This results in an elevated core body temperature, above the normal physiological range. The primary environmental factors causing the stress are tempe...
Three management tools consistently increase milk yield in lactating dairy cows during established lactation: administrating exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST), increased milking frequency and increased photoperiod. Short day length during the dry period also increases milk yield postpartum while long day length during the dry period is associated...
The orexigenic hormone ghrelin has been identified as a potent regulator of appetite and energy homeostasis. In all species studied, circulating ghrelin concentrations increase during periods of underfeeding or negative energy balance. Given that dairy cattle typically experience a period of negative energy balance during early lactation (when fert...
Serotonin (5-HT) is a homeostatic regulator of lactation. Selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals that inhibit activity of the 5-HT reuptake transporter, increasing cellular exposure to 5-HT. Use of SSRIs has been shown to alter lactation performance in humans and 5-HT has been shown to reduce milk yield in...
The regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and function in the lactating mammary cell is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to use proteomics to relate temporal changes in mammary cell mitochondrial function during lactation to changes in the proteins that make up this organelle. The hypothesis tested was that changes in mammary cell mit...
Adaptation to tropical climate and research strategies to alleviate heat stress in livestock production - Volume 1 Issue 2 - David Renaudeau, Anne Collin, S. Yahav, V. de Basilio, Jean-Luc Gourdine, Robert J. Collier
Tilapia is a warmwater fish and a popular choice for aquaculture. However, cold sensitivity of tilapia is a constraint to expansion of tilapia culture into the colder regions of the world. Tilapia generally require a thermal environment of 25–30 C. Acclimation to cold requires changes in gene expression such as delta 9 desaturase (Δ9D) which is wid...
The dry period is necessary to facilitate cell turnover in the bovine mammary gland and to optimize milk production in the next lactation. An 8-week dry period has long been the golden standard of management for dairy cows. Genetic improvements and new management technologies have led to higher milk production and a need for re-evaluation of the dr...
Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (145+/-9 d in milk) were randomly assigned to receive either 0 g/d of encapsulated niacin (control diet; C) or 12 g/d of encapsulated niacin (NI) and were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; 7 d) or heat stress (HS; 7 d) conditions in climate-controlled chambers. The temperature-humidity index during TN conditions never e...
Heat stress (HS) is a multibillion-dollar problem for the global dairy industry, and reduced milk yield is the primary contributor to this annual economic loss. Feed intake declines precipitously during HS but accounts for only about 35% of the decreased milk synthesis, indicating that the physiological mechanisms responsible for decreased milk pro...
Sweating and respiration rates, and skin (dorsal) and core (rectal) temperatures of 12 Holstein dairy cows were measured in controlled environments at the William Parker Agricultural Research Complex, University of Arizona-Tucson. The focus of the study was: (1) to establish the pattern (linear or periodic) of sweating, (2) to establish whether ski...