Tolerance to heat stress improves oocyte and embryo production in dairy cows

Heat stress is a major concern in dairy cattle production systems. Heat-stressed cows experience changes in hormonal balance, maternal transcription, and oocytes and early embryo development, leading to reduced reproductive performance. This article will discuss heat stress impacts on oocytes, the embryo, the foetus, milk yield, and milk quality to emphasise the importance of tolerance to heat stress. Heat stress affects the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, interferes with the gonadotropin-releas