Phone
608-262-9705Office Location
1675 Observatory Dr
Madison, WI 53706
Office: 632 Animal Sciences
Lab: 634 Animal Sciences
Jimena Laporta is originally from Uruguay, where she earned her BS in Biology and MS in Animal Sciences from Universidad de la República. She then pursued her PhD in Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 2015, she began her independent career as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mammary Gland Physiology at the University of Florida. In 2020, she joined the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at UW-Madison, where she currently serves as an Associate Professor of Lactation Physiology. Her research program explores how nutritional and environmental influences affect the development and function of the mammary gland throughout a cow’s life. She emphasizes three synergistic areas—heat stress physiology, mammary gland biology, and perinatal programming. Within this framework, Dr. Laporta examines how early-life management during the perinatal period—encompassing the last trimester in utero and two months after birth—affects calf growth and physiology, potentially influencing future production capacity across multiple generations and lactations. Her laboratory is dedicated to studying the long-term and multigenerational effects of heat stress by tackling the offspring’s epigenome, focusing on organ systems, tissues, and cells essential for the health, survival, and productivity of dairy cattle, including the mammary gland tissue, metabolic tissues, and immune cell populations. Another active area of her program explores calf thermo-physiology. Her lab has identified environmental and animal-based indicators of heat stress in dairy calves and is actively working on understanding sweat gland physiology. This line of work has practical implications, allowing more effective heat stress detection and the development of innovative heat abatement strategies for pre-weaned calves. Additionally, Dr. Laporta is investigating new methods to improve the drying-off process in high-yield dairy cows by targeting local and autocrine regulation of the mammary gland to accelerate the involution phase. This research aims to enhance the transition to subsequent lactations, ultimately optimizing cow health and productivity.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles
Davidson BD, Zambon AA, Guadagnin A, Hoppmann A, Larsen G; Sherlock D, Luchini D, Arriola Apelo S, Laporta J (2024). Rumen-protected methionine supplementation during the transition period under artificially induced heat stress: impacts on cow-calf performance. Journal of Dairy Science, S0022-0302(24)00898-1.
Larsen G, Laporta J (2024). Carry-over effects of maternal late-gestation heat stress on granddaughter’s growth and mammary gland development Journal of Dairy Science, 107(8):6383-6392.
Laporta J, Khatib H, Zachut M (2024). Phenotypic and molecular evidence of inter- and trans-generational effects of heat stress in livestock mammals and humans. Animal, 29:101121.
Guadagnin A, Penagaricano F, Dahl GE, Laporta J (2024). Programming effects of intrauterine hyperthermia on adrenal gland development. Submitted December 22, 2023, to Journal of Dairy Science, 107(8):6308-6321.
Dado-Senn, Van Os J, Dorea J, Laporta J (2024). Actively ventilating calf hutches using solar-powered fans: Effects on hutch microclimate and calf thermoregulation. JDS Communications, 5(1):61-66.
Davidson BD, Gonzales ET, Mast GL, Laporta J (2024). Late gestation heat stress in Holstein dams programs in utero development of daughter’s germline, triggering skin and hair morphology adaptations of granddaughters. JDS Communications, 5(1):83-88.
Field SL, Galvan EA, Hernandez LL, Laporta J (2024). Exploring the contribution of mammary-derived serotonin on liver and pancreas metabolism during lactation. PLoS One, 19(6):e0304910.
Riesgraf KA, Akins MS, Laporta J, Weigel KA (2024). Long-term growth, feed efficiency, enteric methane emission, and blood metabolite responses to in utero hyperthermia in Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(8):6358-6370.
Van Os J, Reusher K, Dado-Senn B, Laporta J (2024). Thermal stress impacts on calf welfare. JDS Communications, 5(3):253-258.
Pszczolkowski VL, Connelly MK, Hoppman A, Benn AD, Laporta J, Hernandez LL, Apelo SIA (2023). Intravenous infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophan to mid-lactation Holstein cows transiently affects milk production and circulating amino acid concentrations. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(5):3306-3318.
Dado-Senn B, Ouellet V, Lantigua V, Van Os J, Laporta J (2023). Methods for detecting heat stress in hutch-housed dairy calves in a continental climate. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(2): 1039-1050.
Casaro S, Prim J, Gonzalez T, Marrero MGG, Silva AC, Santos JEP, Nelson CD, Laporta J, Jeon S, Bicalho R, Driver JD, Galvao K (2023) Unraveling the immune and metabolic changes associated with metritis in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(12):9244-9259.
Field S, Davidson BD, Hoerl AF, Dado-Senn B, Hernandez LL, Laporta J (2023). Amplifying local serotonin signaling prior to dry-off hastens mammary gland involution and redevelopment in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(5): 3719-3733.
Silva MG, Laporta J, Podversich F, M Schulmeister, et al., (2023). Artificial shade as a heat abatement strategy to grazing beef cow-calf pairs in a subtropical climate. PLoS One, 18(7):e0288738.
Molinari PCC, Davidson BD, Laporta J, Dahl GE, Sheldon IM, Bromfield JJ (2023). Prepartum heat stress in dairy cows increases postpartum inflammatory responses in blood of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 106 (2), 1464-1474
Selected Book Chapters
Laporta J and Skibiel AL (2024). Heat Stress in Lactating and Non-lactating Dairy Cows. Production Diseases in Farm Animals: Pathophysiology, Prophylaxis and Health Management. Springer International Publishing, 469-492.
Laporta J, Lemley C, Chavatte-Palmer P (2022). Editorial: The Influences of Early Life Experiences on Future Health and Productivity. Frontiers in Animal Science.
Dahl GE, Skibiel AL, Laporta J (2019). In utero heat stress programs reduced performance and health in calves. Vol. 35, Pp. 343-353. In: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Developmental programming in livestock production, R. Funston and J.T. Mulliniks, eds. Elsevier, PA.
Selected Popular Press Articles
Davidson BD, Toledo I, Laporta J, and GE Dahl (2021) Pre-fresh heifers need cooling, too. Hoards Dairymen. May 8 issue p. 301. {online access}
McCarville J, Olson A, Lippert M, Laporta J (2020) Dry Cow Heat Stress Management. UW-Madison Extension Resources. Published on Sept. 19, 2020 {online access}
Dado-Senn and Laporta J (2020). Time of calf cooling matters Hoards Dairyman. April 8 issue {online access}
Laporta J, and Dahl GE (2019) Late-gestation heat stress: lingering impacts on milk production for three generations. Hoards Dairyman. April 25 issue. *Re-printed in Hoards Dairyman in Spanish (May 2019, p. 268-270) and Ex-Dairy-Press in Italian (May 2019 p. 49-51)
Dahl GE, and Laporta J (2019) Dry Period Heat Stress Affects Cows’ Granddaughters. Dairy Nutrition Plus newsletter. Vol 15 (3):3.
Dado-Senn B, Dahl GE, Laporta J (2017) Cooled dry cows outperformed heat-stressed herd mates. Hoards Dairyman. August 10 issue.
Laporta J and Miller-Cushon E (2016). Heat stress has prolonged effects on dairy calves. Hoards Dairyman. October 25 issue.
Selected Videos
Programming effects of early-life exposure to heat stress in cattle. Chinese Delegation sponsored by Zimpro. September 25, 2024.
57th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). How to Successfully Implement Mechanical Cooling for Dry Cows and Preweaning Dairy Calves. September 12-14. Columbus, OH.
57th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). Why is it important to cool dry cows and youngstock cool during hot summers: From physiology and epigenetics to economics. September 12-14. Columbus, OH.
Dairy Management Consulting (DMC) Annual Conference. Heat Stress during Late Gestation Impacts Multiple Generations of Dairy Cows. August 13-15, 2024. Caper Town, South Africa.
American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Annual Meeting. Programming effects of early-life exposure to heat stress in cattle. July 21-25, 2024. Calgary, Canada.
Pro-Dairy Cornell Webinar. The impact of Heat Stress in Calves. July 19, 2024 (Online).
Dairy focus meeting Hubbard Calf Institute. Maternal heat stress and fetal programming in dairy cattle. May 8-9, 2024. Bloomington, MN (Online).
Diamond V/Cargill Animal Nutrition Dairy Meeting. Multigenerational effects of heat stress. May 30 and 31, 2024; Fuzhou, China.
UW-Extension Badger Dairy Insights, Online Webinar. Understanding the carryover effects of early-life heat stress on dairy calves. May 21, 2024.
Herd Health and Nutrition Conference. Cornell University. Understanding the long-term multigenerational impacts of in-utero heat stress. April 8-9, 2024. Syracuse, NY.
Virtual Mini-Symposium. Schothorst Feed Research. External Invited Speaker. Heat stress in pregnant cows: impact on calf growth and performance. Lelystad, Netherlands March 28, 2024 (Online).
Iowa State University Extension & Outreach. Dairy Team webinar series. What do we know about heat stress in dairy calves? February 21, 2024 (Online).
The Dairy Podcast Show Episode#70: Managing Heat in Dairy. January 9, 2024.
European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP)/ADSA Speaker Exchange Invited Talk. Late-gestation heat stress: programming effects on three generations. Annual Meeting. August 21, 2023. Lyon, France.
Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW). Exploring the benefits of early-life heat stress abatement for dairy calves. April 6, 2023 (Online)
ANSCI/DYSCI 378 – Lactation Physiology (3 credits, Fall). Instructor (100% responsibility).
This course consists of 20 lectures and 10 laboratory sections. It focuses on various aspects of lactation physiology across mammalian species: the structure and function of mammary glands, hormonal control of mammary development and lactation, cellular mechanisms of milk synthesis, the chemistry of milk synthesis, mastitis, and other abnormalities of mammary functions.
AN SCI/DY SCI 875 – Advanced Topics in Physiology (2 credits, Spring). Co-instructor (25% responsibility).
In this course, students analyze how specific systems of the mammalian body communicate to maintain homeostasis, particularly during demanding biological stages (e.g., lactation) or environmental changes (e.g., seasons).
Department/College Service:
Animal and Dairy Science External Relations & Outreach (2024- )
Animal and Dairy Science Social Committee (2024- )
Dairy Innovation Hub Steering Committee (2024 – three-year commitment)
Animal and Dairy Science Graduate Student Fellowships and Awards Committee (2023)
Animal and Dairy Science Dairy & Food Animal Management Curriculum Committee (2023)
Faculty Search Dairy Innovation Hub Assistant Professor of Immunology (chair, 2022)
Dairy Cattle Center operations manager Search Committee (2022)
Animal and Dairy Science Faculty Senate (alternate, 2022)
Dairy Cattle Center operations manager Search Committee (2021)
Academic Department Administrator, Animal and Dairy Sciences Department in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Search Committee (2021)
Research Capacity Support Manager Animal and Dairy Sciences Department Search Committee (2020)
Faculty advisor for the Badger Dairy Club (2020-2024)
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (2020)
Animal and Dairy Science Dairy Herd Committee (2020)
Editorial:
Associate Editor-Animal Physiology and Management, Frontiers in Animal Science (2022)
Editorial Board-Scientific Reports (2019-present), Domestic Animal Endocrinology (2021-present), Journal of Dairy Science (2022, three-year period)
Ad-hoc Reviewer-Journal of Dairy Science, Scientific Reports, BMC Genomics, Physiological Genomics, Plos One, Journal of Cellular Physiology
Grant Panelist
Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program (USDA-NIFA); United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD); United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), United States Department of Agriculture-HATCH; Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Israel; Israel Science Foundation (ISF), Food from Thought, Agricultural systems for a healthy planet, Canada, National Agency of Investigation and Innovation (ANNI, Uruguay).
Other Services in the Profession
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Badger Dairy Club Student Faculty Advisor (since 2020)
Professional Affiliation American Dairy Science Association, ADSA (2010-present)
ADSA Foundation Scholar Awards Selection Committee (2023)
Lactation Biology Committee ADSA (member 2017, 2018)
Lactation Biology Committee ADSA (co-chair 2019-2020)
Task-Force member Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST, 2020)
Since 2015:
2024 Vilas Associate Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2024 Editor’s Choice 01/24 Issue of JDS Communications (Davidson et al., 2024)
2023 Editor’s Choice 12/23 Issue of the Journal of Dairy Science (Casaro et al., 2023)
2023 Editor’s Choice 02/23 Issue of the Journal of Dairy Science (Dado-Senn et al., 2023)
2023 Journal of Dairy Science Top 100 Papers for 2023 (Dado-Senn et al., 2019)
2023 Journal of Dairy Science Top 100 Papers for 2023 (Laporta et al., 2020)
2022 Journal of Dairy Science Top 100 Papers for 2022 (Laporta et al., 2020)
2021 American Dairy Science Association Foundation Scholar Award in Dairy Production
2020 Journal of Dairy Science Top 100 Papers for 2020 (Fabris et al., 2019)
2020 Editor’s Choice 08/2020 Issue of the Journal of Dairy Science (Laporta et al., 2020)
2019 Outstanding Advisor Award, University of Florida
2017 Mentor of the Year Award. Graduate Student Association, University of Florida
2016 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award, University of Florida
2015 Young Dairy Scholar. Midwest Branch of the American Dairy Science Association