Heat Shock Protein 70 and Its Role in Alleviating Heat Stress and Improving Livestock Performance

Abstract

Varieties of proteins are induced in livestock when exposed to environmental stress, among them are heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs are proteins that provide antioxidant protection in cells as well as thermotolerance. They function as chaperones, helping to fold, unfold, and refold stress-denatured proteins. Further, HSPs represent one of the most important physiological parameters for thermotolerance in livestock. This review aims to highlight the importance of heat shock protein 70 in livestock performance under heat stress. HSP types and functions are reviewed briefly with a focus on HSP70. Furthermore, this review examines the relationship between HSP70 and thermal adaptation to heat stress. Also discussed is the correlation of a high concentration of HSP70 with improved performance in livestock. HSP70 can improve animal performance by serving as a crucial factor in the adaptation process for livestock. Identifying and utilizing thermotolerant genotypes is imperative for improving livestock productivity and reproduction. For this reason, highlighting the importance of HSP70 for increasing livestock performance is valuable, and further molecular studies are necessary to determine their effectiveness.