Supporting Livestock Resilience Through Grape Seed Extract

Heat stress is increasingly recognised as one of the main limiting factors in animal production. As global temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent and prolonged, livestock are exposed to sustained thermal challenges that directly impact their performance and resilience. These changes are closely linked to climate-driven shifts in production environments, which are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of thermal stress across species. (1-3) 

Animals respond to heat stress through physiological adaptations aimed at maintaining homeothermy. However, these responses come at a metabolic cost. Reduced feed intake, impaired growth and lower efficiency are commonly observed, together with a higher susceptibility to health challenges, particularly under sustained stress conditions. (1,3) Heat stress should no longer be considered a seasonal issue, but rather a structural challenge for modern livestock systems. Global modelling studies estimate that losses in cattle production alone could reach between 15 and 39 billion USD annually by the end of the century depending on the greenhouse gas emission scenario. (4) 

How Animals Respond 

Heat stress can disrupt the balance between metabolic heat production and heat dissipation. When animals are no longer able to effectively dissipate heat, a series of physiological and metabolic responses are activated to maintain body temperature. While these mechanisms are essential for survival, their prolonged activation leads to a progressive decline in performance. (3)

One of the earliest and most consistent responses is a reduction in voluntary feed intake, which directly limits nutrient availability for growth and production. At the same time, heat stress alters metabolic priorities, redirecting energy towards thermoregulation at the expense of productive functions. These changes are often accompanied by increased oxidative stress and alterations in immune function, which contribute to reduced resilience and increased vulnerability. (1,3) In parallel, heat stress has a marked impact on intestinal integrity, affecting nutrient absorption and barrier function. This disruption links environmental stress with performance losses and health impairment. (5) 

Polyphenols in Practice 

Nutritional strategies capable of supporting animal resilience are gaining increasing attention. Phytogenic solutions, like grape-derived polyphenols, have attracted particular interest as a nutritional approach to mitigate the impact of heat stress. (6-10) In that regard, grape seed extracts stand out as a rich source of phenolic compounds (proanthocyanidins). The relevance of these compounds lies in their ability to support the animal at different levels. Rather than acting on a single pathway, grape polyphenols contribute to maintaining oxidative balance, modulating stress-related inflammatory responses and supporting the structural integrity of tissues, particularly at the intestinal level. (11) These combined effects are especially relevant under heat stress conditions, where multiple physiological systems are simultaneously challenged. 

Evidence in Animal Production 

In poultry, several studies conducted under heat stress conditions show that supplementation with grape seed extract contributes to improving oxidative balance and physiological stability. In broilers exposed to cyclic or chronic heat stress, supplementation has been associated with reductions in stress-related indicators and improvements in antioxidant status, together with better feed efficiency. (8,12) These results suggest that the extract helps maintain metabolic stability rather than directly modifying thermal responses. 

Similar patterns have been observed in rabbits. Supplementation with grape seed extract under heat stress conditions has been associated with improvements in growth performance, survival and overall physiological balance. These effects are accompanied by improvements in antioxidant capacity and reductions in stress-related alterations, supporting a role in maintaining systemic stability under challenging conditions. (9,13) 

In ruminants, grape-derived polyphenols have been associated with improvements in feed intake, growth performance and intestinal morphology. Studies in cattle exposed to summer conditions show improvements in antioxidant status and reductions in inflammatory responses, together with better intestinal integrity. (7) Additional work in lambs supports improvements in growth, nutrient utilisation and immune-related parameters, reinforcing the physiological relevance of grape polyphenols in this species. (6,10) 

Recent studies in pigs indicate that grape-derived ingredients can help mitigate some of the effects of heat stress by supporting physiological resilience. In finishing pigs exposed to heat stress, dietary inclusion of grape’s polyphenols has been associated with improvements in antioxidant capacity and intestinal morphology, suggesting a better preservation of gut structure and function. (14) These findings are consistent with the broader literature, where grape’s polyphenols have been shown to contribute to reducing oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory processes in pigs, often in conjunction with improvements in performance and overall animal condition. (11) 

A Practical Solution for Modern Livestock Systems 

Heat stress represents a major and growing challenge in animal production, affecting performance through reduced feed intake, metabolic imbalance and impaired intestinal function. 

Grape-derived polyphenols offer a relevant nutritional approach to support animals under these conditions. Their value lies in their ability to act across different physiological levels, contributing to the maintenance of oxidative balance, modulation of stress-related responses and preservation of tissue integrity. The available evidence across species supports their role in improving resilience and helping animals maintain productive performance under heat stress conditions. (6-10,12) 

At Natac, we bring this science to life through our grape seed extract, a high-quality ingredient developed to deliver consistent polyphenol profiles that meet the demands of modern animal nutrition. As a trusted partner in phytogenic solutions, Natac offers producers and nutritionists a practical, evidence-based solution to support animal performance. Our grape seed extract is part of a broader portfolio designed to support animal health, naturally and sustainably. 

References 

1. Alhussien, M., et al. Editorial: Heat stress and immune responses in livestock: current challenges and intervention strategies. Front. Vet. Sci. 2024, 11, 1366274. Doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1366274 2.
2. Thornton, P., et al. Increases in extreme heat stress in domesticated livestock species during the twenty-first century. Glob Chang Biol. 2021, 27(22), 5762-5772. Doi: 10.1111/gcb.15825. 3
3. Prates, J., et al. Heat stress effects on animal health and performance in monogastric livestock: physiological responses, molecular mechanisms, and management interventions. Vet. Sci. 2025, 12, 429. Doi: 10.3390/ vetsci12050429 4
4. Thornton, P., et al. Impacts of heat stress on global cattle production during the 21st century: a modelling study. Lancet Planet Health, 2022, 6, e192–201. Doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00002-X. 5
5. Rebez, E., et al. Heat Stress and Histopathological Changes of Vital Organs: A Novel Approach to Assess Climate Resilience in Farm Animals. Sustainability, 2023, 15, 1242. Doi: 10.3390/su15021242. 6
6. Piao, M., et al. Advances in the Application of Phytogenic Extracts as Antioxidants and Their Potential Mechanisms in Ruminants. Antioxidants . 2023, 12, 879. Doi: 10.3390/antiox12040879. 7
7. Chen, H., et al. Grape seed extract and chromium nicotinate reduce impacts of heat stress in Simmental x Qinchuan steers. Animal Production Science, 2019, 59, 1868–1879. Doi: 10.1071/AN17152. 8
8. Hajati, H., et al. The Effect of Grape Seed Extract Supplementation on Performance, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, and Immune Responses in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science, 2018, 8(1), 109-117. Doi: N/A 9
9. Hassan, F., et al. Effects of grape seed extract as a natural antioxidant on growth performance, carcass characteristics and antioxidant status of rabbits during heat stress. Archives of Animal Nutrition, 2016, 70(2), 141–154. Doi: 10.1080/1745039X.2016.1139609. 10
10. Ma, J., et al. Effects of grape seed extract supplementation on the growth performance, nutrients digestion and immunity of weaned lambs. Front. Vet. Sci., 2024, 11, 1402637. Doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1402637. 11
11. Eder, K., et al. Effects of grape by-products on oxidative stress and inflammation in farm animals: an overview of studies performed in pigs, chickens, and cattle. Animals, 2025, 15, 1536. Doi: 10.3390/ani15111536. 12
12. El-Damrawy, S., et al. Effects of grape seed extract on some physiological changes in broilers under heat stress. Egypt. Poult. Sci., 2014, 34, 333-343.  13
13. Al-Samarai, E., et al. Impact of grape seed extract on growth, blood health, immunity, and inflammation in environmentally stressed rabbits. J. Product. & Dev., 2025, 30(3), 301- 320. Doi: 10.21608/jpd.2025.426403. 
14. Ospina-Romero, M., et al. Grape pomace and ferulic acid improve antioxidant enzyme activity and gut histomorphometry in heat-stressed finishing pigs. Animals, 2025, 15, 2382. Doi: 10.3390/ani15162382.