Effect of Heat Stress, Zinc, and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) on the Cortisol and Cytokine-mediated Responses of Laboratory Rats in Kirkuk City, Iraq

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.

2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.

3 Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.

10.32598/ijvm.20.3.1005890

Abstract

Background: Both major and minor stressful events can have direct adverse effects on a variety of immunological mechanisms. Experimental data have shown that any improvement in vitamin D3 status can result in a major change in the expression of genes that affect biological disorders linked to vitamin D3 deficiency, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. 
Objectives: This study aimed to measure the effects of heat stress and zinc and vitamin D3 supplementation on serum cortisol, interleuken-6 (IL-6), and interferon-gamma (INF-g) levels in male rats.
Methods: Five equal groups of rats (n=10) were assigned to different treatment groups as follows: control, heat stress(exposed to 35 °C for 2 hours/day), zinc (50 mg/kg diet), vitamin D3 (50 μg/kg of diet), and combined intervention (heat stress plus zinc and vitamin D3 supplementation). The treatment regimen lasted for four weeks. 
Results: Statistically significant differences were reported for all comparisons of cortisol levels between the five treatment groups (P≤0.001) except between the control and vitamin D groups and between heat stress and zinc groups (P>0.05). Regarding the Il-6 levels, a statistically significant difference observed between all groups (P≤0.001) except between the control and zinc groups (P>0.05). Finally, statistically significant differences were also noticed regarding the IFN-g levels between all study groups, except in the heat stress and zinc groups compared to the control group (P>0.05). 
Conclusion: Heat stress and zinc and vitamin D3 supplementation can significantly affect the levels of stress-related hormones and the expression of immune response–stimulating cytokines. These findings suggest that physiological and nutritional factors are closely interlinked in modulating immune homeostasis.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume 20, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 577-586

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