The effect of heat stress on respiratory alkalosis and insulin sensitivity in cinnamon supplemented pigs

Abstract

With increases in the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves forecast plus expansion of tropical agriculture, heat stress (HS) is both a current and an emerging problem. As cinnamon has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which is part of the adaptive response to HS, the aim of this experiment was to determine if cinnamon could improve insulin sensitivity and ameliorate HS in grower pigs. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, 36 female Large White × Landrace pigs were fed control (0%) vs. cinnamon (1.5%) diets and housed for 7 day under thermoneutral (20 °C, TN) vs. HS conditions (8 h 35 °C/16 h 28 °C, 35% relative humidity). At the completion of the challenge, insulin sensitivity wa..