Progress in Research on the Effects of Environmental Heat Stress on Livestock and Poultry Farming and Meat Quality

Heat stress is one of the major environmental stressors in the livestock and poultry farming and processing industry. Researchers from China and abroad have found that when the environmental temperature and humidity exceed the tolerance range of farmed animals, they will suffer from heat stress reactions such as mental depression and reduced food intake. At this time, a series of physiological, biochemical and pathological changes such as changes in hormone levels and blood protein levels, and decreases in antioxidant capacity will occur, which can lead to body mass loss, meat quality deterioration, or death of livestock and poultry, causing irreparable economic losses. Animal farming is an important source of meat products and an important protein source in people’s dietary structure. The decrease in meat quality caused by heat stress not only causes economic losses, but also causes food nutrition and safety issues. This article summarizes the definition of heat stress in livestock and poultry, the behavioral and physiological response mechanism of heat stressed livestock and poultry, the impact of heat stress on meat quality, and the management measures for heat stress relief. It is hoped this article will provide a reference for the identification of and relief strategies for heat stress response in livestock and poultry.