Infrared Thermal Imaging of Ocular Surface Temperature Associated with Peripartum Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijar.2025.46.03.10Keywords:
Infrared thermography, Ocular surface temperature, Progesterone, Murrah buffaloAbstract
The potentiality of digital infrared thermal (IRT) imaging technology has been explored for the first time to monitor the temperature variation during pre, peri and post-partum stages of parturition in buffaloes. Thermograms were recorded in buffaloes from 96 hours before expected time of calving and continued till 96 hours post-calving with an interval of every six hours. With a ΔT of 0.56°C in the ocular region, the data showed a considerable drop in temperature from 48 hours before the onset of calving. Likewise, the residual temperature showed a comparable and noteworthy downward tendency, suggesting that the circadian rhythm had little effect on the body’s surface temperature. The reduction in temperature is attributed to the progesterone that reduces vascular perfusion and cutaneous circulation. Our study’s findings suggested that ocular surface temperature variation in connection to calving, as monitored by digital infrared thermal imaging could be explored as a promising tool for prediction of the onset of calving process in buffaloes.
References
Aoki, M., Kimura, K., & Suzuki, O. (2005). Predicting time of parturition from changing vaginal temperature measured by data-logging apparatus in beef cows with twin fetuses. Animal Reproduction Science, 86, 1–12.
Aoki, M., Kimura, K., & Suzuki, O. (2006). Influence of feeding regime on timing of parturition in beef cattle and the relationship of vaginal temperature to parturition. Animal Science Journal, 77(3), 290–299.
Barros, D.V., Silva, L.K.X., Kahwage, P.R., Lourenço, J.B., Sousa, J.S., Silva, A.G.M., Franco, I.M., Martorano, L.G., & Garcia, A.R. (2016). Assessment of surface temperatures of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) raised under tropical conditions using infrared thermography. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 68(2), 422–430.
Bertoni, A., Mota-Rojas, D., Álvarez-Macias, A., Mora-Medina, P., Guerrero-Legarreta, I., Morales-Canela, A., & Martínez Burnes, J. (2020). Scientific findings related to changes in vascular microcirculation using infrared thermography in the river buffalo. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 8(4), 288–297.
Birel, J.E., Grunert, E., & Soares, J.A. (1994). The preliminary stage of labor in cattle in relation to the clinical signs of labor and the course of progesterone secretion for the prediction of the calving time. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift, 101(9), 355–359.
Bobowiec, R., Studzinski, T., & Babiarz, A. (1990). Thermoregulatory effects and electrical conductivity in vagina of cow during oestrous cycle. Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinärmedizin, 44, 573–579.
Burfeind, O., Suthar, V.S., Voigtsberger, R., Bonk, S., & Heuwieser, W. (2011). Validity of prepartum changes in vaginal and rectal temperature to predict calving in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 5053–5061.
Catillo, G., Macciotta, N.P.P., Carretta, A., & Cappio-Borlino, A. (2002). Effects of age and calving season on lactation curves of milk production traits in Italian water buffaloes. Journal of Dairy Science, 85, 1298–1306.
Cooper-Prado, M.J., Long, N.M., Wright, E.C., Goad, C.L., & Wettemann, R.P. (2014). Relationship of ruminal temperature with parturition and estrus of beef cows. Journal of Animal Science, 89, 1020–1027.
Costa, J.B.G., Ahola, J.K., Weller, Z.D., Peel, R.K., Whittier, J.C., & Barcellos, J.O.J. (2016). Reticulo-rumen temperature as a predictor of calving time in primiparous and parous Holstein females. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 4839–4850.
Dizier, S.M., & Chastant-Maillard, S. (2015). Methods and on-farm devices to predict calving time in cattle. Veterinary Journal, 205, 349–356.
Dodamani, M.S., Khaja Mohteshamuddin, S.D., Awati, T., Tandle, M.K., & Honnapagol, S.S. (2010). Study on calving pattern in buffaloes. Veterinary World, 3(4), 188–190.
Ewbank, R. (1963). Predicting the time of parturition in the normal cow. Veterinary Record, 75, 367.
Gloster, J., Ebert, K., Gubbins, S., Bashiruddin, J., & Paton, D.J. (2011). Normal variation in thermal radiated temperature in cattle: Implications for foot-and-mouth disease detection. BMC Veterinary Research, 7, 73–82.
Hoffmann, G., Schmidt, M., Ammon, C., Rose-Meierhöfer, S., Burfeind, O., Heuwieser, W., & Berg, W. (2013). Monitoring the body temperature of cows and calves using video recordings from an infrared thermography camera. Veterinary Research Communications, 37(2), 91–99.
Hulsen, J. (2006). Cow signals: A practical guide for dairy farm management. Roodbont Publishers.
ICAR. (2013). Nutrient requirements of cattle and buffalo. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
Koltes, J.E., Koltes, D.A., Mote, B.E., Tucker, J., & Hubbell, D.S. (2018). Automated collection of heat stress data in livestock: New technologies and opportunities. Translational Animal Science, 2(3), 319–323.
Kovács, L., Kézér, F.L., Ruff, F., & Szenci, O. (2017). Rumination time and reticuloruminal temperature as possible predictors of dystocia in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100, 1568–1579.
Koyama, K., Koyama, T., Sugimoto, M., Kusakari, Miura, R., Yoshioka, K., & Hirako, M. (2018). Prediction of calving time in Holstein dairy cows by monitoring the ventral tail base surface temperature. Veterinary Journal, 240, 1–5.
Kyle, B.L., Kennedy, A.D., & Small, J.A. (1998). Measurement of vaginal temperature by radiotelemetry for the prediction of estrus in beef cows. Theriogenology, 49, 1437–1449.
Lammoglia, M.A., Bellows, R.A., Short, R.E., Bellows, S.E., Bighorn, E.G., Stevenson, J.S., & Randel, R.D. (1997). Body temperature and endocrine interactions before and after calving in beef cows. Journal of Animal Science, 75(9), 2526–2534.
Matamala, F., Strappini, A., & Sepúlveda-Varas, P. (2021). Dairy cow behaviour around calving: Its relationship with management practices and environmental conditions. Australian Journal of Veterinary Science, 53(1), 9–22.
Mee, J.F. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: A review. Veterinary Journal, 176(1), 93–101.
Metzner, M., Sauter-Louis, C., Seemueller, A., Petzl, W., & Klee, W. (2014). Infrared thermography of the udder surface of dairy cattle: Characteristics, methods, and correlation with rectal temperature. Veterinary Journal, 199(1), 57–62.
Miura, R., Yoshioka, K., Miyamoto, T., Nogami, H., Okada, H., & Itoh, T. (2017). Estrous detection by monitoring ventral tail base surface temperature using a wearable wireless sensor in cattle. Animal Reproduction Science, 180, 50–57.
Nääs, I.A., Garcia, R.G., & Caldara, F.R. (2014). Infrared thermal image for assessing animal health and welfare. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 2, 66–72.
NBAGR. (2022). Annual report. ICAR - National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, India.
Ouellet, V., Vasseur, E., Heuwieser, W., Burfeind, O., Maldague, X., & Charbonneau, É. (2016). Evaluation of calving indicators measured by automated monitoring devices to predict the onset of calving in Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 1539–1548.
Purohit, R.C., & McCoy, M.D. (1980). Thermography in the diagnosis of inflammatory processes in the horse. Animal, 4(5), 692–701.
Ricci, A., Racioppi, V., Iotti, B., Bertero, A., Reed, K.F., Pascottini, O.B., & Vincenti, L. (2018). Assessment of the temperature cut-off point by a commercial intravaginal device to predict parturition in Piedmontese beef cows. Theriogenology, 113, 27–33.
Rutten, C.J., Kamphuis, C., Hogeveen, H., Huijps, K., Nielen, M., & Steeneveld, W. (2017). Sensor data on cow activity, rumination, and ear temperature improve prediction of the start of calving in dairy cows. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 132, 108–118.
Schaefer, A.L., Cook, N., Tessaro, S.V., Dereg, D., Desroches, G., Dubeski, P.L., Tong, A.K.W., & Godson, D.L. (2003). Early detection and prediction of infection using infrared thermography. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 84(1), 73–80.
Schuenemann, G.M., Nieto, I., Bas, S., Galvão, K.N., & Workman, J. (2011). Assessment of calving progress and reference times for obstetric intervention during dystocia in Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(11), 5494–5501.
Sevegnani, K.B., Fernandes, D.P.B., & Silva, S.H.M.G. (2016). Evaluation of thermoregulatory capacity of dairy buffaloes using infrared thermography. Engenharia Agrícola, 36, 1–12.
Suthar, V.S., Burfeind, O., Bonk, S., Dhami, A.J., & Heuwieser, W. (2012). Endogenous and exogenous progesterone influence body temperature in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 2381–2389.
Teja, A., Jeyakumar, S., Rao, K.A., Kumaresan, A., Ramesha, K.P., Narayanan, K., Sivaram, M., Varma, C.G., Lavanya, M., Kataktalware, M.A., & Das, D.N. (2023a). Pre and periparturient behaviour as an indicator of onset of the calving process in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 263, 105936.
Teja, A., Sakthivel, J., Ananda Rao, K., Kumaresan, A., Ramesha, K.P., Krishnaswamy, N., Gowtham Varma, C., Sivaram, M., Lavanya, M., Gowdar Veerappa, V., & Kataktalware, M.A. (2023b). Digital infrared thermal imaging of udder skin surface temperature: A novel non-invasive technology to monitor calving process in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Scientific Reports, 13(1), 13207.
Teja, A., Sakthivel, J., Rao, K.A., Krishnaswamy, N., Chintalapati, G.V., Veerappa, V.G., Kumaresan, A., Ramesha, K.P., Sivaram, M., Kataktalware, M.A., & Das, D.N. (2025). Thermal signatures of vulval skin surface: A potential non-invasive diagnostic technology to monitor the calving process in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 60(5), e70065.
Vasseur, E., Rushen, J., De Passillé, A.M., Lefebvre, D., & Pellerin, D. (2010). An advisory tool to improve management practices affecting calf and heifer welfare on dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(9), 4414–4426.
Wrenn, T.R., Bitman, J., & Sykes, J.F. (1958). Body temperature variations in dairy cattle during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Journal of Dairy Science, 41, 1071–1076.
