Efficacy of Megasphaera elsdenii inoculation in subacute ruminal acidosis in cattle

Two consecutive experiments were carried out to determine efficacy of Megasphaera elsdenii inoculation in alleviation of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). In the first experiment, SARA was induced by feeding corn‐ and wheat‐based diets (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of TMR, DM basis) in six ruminally cannulated heifers. Continuous pH was obtained using data loggers embedded in rumen. In corn (80%)‐ and wheat (60%)‐based diets ruminal pH ranged from 5.2 to 5.6 for 7.77 and 5.93 hr. In the second experiment (5 day), M. elsdenii (200 ml; 2.4 x 10¹⁰ cfu/ml) was inoculated during the first two days. During the SARA induction period, M. elsdenii and S. bovis in rumen liquor were more abundant in wheat‐based feeding (7.97 and 8.77) than in corn‐based feeding (7.06 and 7.95 per ml, log basis; p < 0.0001 for both). M. elsdenii inoculation increased total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration when corn‐based diet was fed, whereas it decreased total VFA concentration when wheat‐based diet was fed (p < 0.004). There was a decrease in the propionic acid proportion (24.04%–19.08%; p < 0.002), whereas no alteration in lactate and ammonia concentrations was observed. M. elsdenii inoculation increased protozoa count (from 5.39 to 5.55 per ml, log basis; p < 0.009) and decreased S. bovis count (from 9.18 to 7.95 per ml, log basis; p < 0.0001). The results suggest that M. elsdenii inoculation may help prevent SARA depending on dietary grain through altering rumen flora as reflected by a decrease in S. bovis count and an increase in protozoa count.     

Effect of bovine colostrum intake on growth,reproductive parameters and survival in red kids

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of frozen Azawak colostrum supplementation on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), reproductive parameters (mean age at first parturition, fertility, fecundity, prolificacy) and mortality rate among red kids. The study was conducted at the goat farm secondary centre of Maradi in Niger from September 2010 to September 2011. The control animals (n = 20) were left with their mother, while the treatment animals (n = 20) received in addition 50 ml/animal/day of bovine colostrum at birth and 15 ml/animal/day from d2 to d15. Weight was measured weekly from birth to d365. Mortalities were also recorded over the same period. For reproductive parameters, observations began at weaning (d197). Growth rate was higher (p < 0.001) in supplemented animal, and the treatment effects on ADG were observed up to 150 day after the end of supplementation. A similar long‐lasting trend was also observed in relation to the mortality rate (25% for ColG vs. 55% for ConG; p = 0.05). The age at first kidding tended to be lower in the treated group (13.8 ± 0.7 vs. 14.1 ± 0.8 month; p < 0.1). In conclusion, mild bovine colostrum supplementation induces a long‐lasting positive impact on growth rate and to a lower extent on reproduction parameters and survival rate.     

One year investigation of the prevalence and diversity of clostridial spores in raw milk from the Tokachi area of Hokkaido

We investigated the seasonal prevalence and diversity of clostridial spores in raw milk from the Tokachi area of Hokkaido. Samples of raw milk were collected quarterly from May 2013 through February 2014. The mean clostridial spore count for the raw milk from 336 milk tankers was 27.6 CFU/100 ml. The clostridial species isolated most frequently from raw milk samples was Clostridium tyrobutyricum. The dominant species was C. tyrobutyricum regardless of the season. The percentage of samples with low spore counts (<10 CFU/100 ml) was highest (60.9%) during winter (February) and lowest (34.5%) in autumn (November). In comparison, the percentage of samples with high spore counts (>100 CFU/100 ml) was highest (5.7%) in autumn (November) and lowest (1.1%) during spring (May).     

长鬣蜥繁殖生态的研究

2004～2005年,对人工饲养的长鬣蜥繁殖行为和生态习性进行了研究,结果表明：3～7月为长鬣蜥的繁殖期,繁殖行为主要表现为发情求偶、交配和产卵,5～6月为产卵高峰期,每条成熟的雌蜥年产卵2～3窝,平均窝卵数12（7～18）枚;雌蜥每窝产卵间隔33～45 d不等;平均单卵重3.06（2.80～3.50）g;卵径2.63 cm×1.18cm。在自然孵化温度和90%～95%的湿度下孵化期为60～98 d,孵化率52.34%,长鬣蜥幼体初生个体重2.50 g,体全长（头体＋尾）14（4＋10）cm。     

Altered “set-point” of the hypothalamus determines effects of cortisol on food intake,adiposity, and metabolic substrates in sheep

Chronic elevation of glucocorticoid concentrations is detrimental to health. We investigated effects of chronic increase in plasma cortisol concentrations on energy balance and endocrine function in sheep. Because food intake and reproduction are regulated by photoperiod, we performed experiments in January (JAN) and August (AUG), when appetite drive is either high or low, respectively. Ovariectomized ewes were treated (intramuscularly) daily with 0.5 mg Synacthen Depot® (synthetic adrenocorticotropin: ACTH) or saline for 4 wk. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma concentrations of cortisol, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), leptin, insulin, and glucose. Adrenocorticotropin treatment increased concentrations of cortisol. During JAN, treatment reduced food intake transiently, but increased food intake in AUG. Leptin concentrations were reduced and glucose concentrations were greater in AUG, and insulin concentrations were similar throughout the year. Treatment with ACTH increased leptin concentrations in AUG only, whereas insulin concentrations increased in JAN only. Synacthen treatment increased glucose concentrations, with a greater effect in JAN. Changes in truncal adiposity and ACTH-induced cortisol secretion were positively correlated in JAN and negatively correlated in AUG. Treatment reduced the plasma LH pulse frequency in JAN and AUG, with an effect on pulse amplitude in JAN only. Treatment did not affect plasma GH or FSH concentrations. We conclude that chronically elevated cortisol concentrations can affect food intake, adiposity, and reproductive function. In sheep, effects of chronically elevated cortisol concentrations on energy balance and metabolism depend upon metabolic setpoint, determined by circannual rhythms.     

Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress or elevation of cortisol

It is generally agreed that stress can impair reproduction. Furthermore, it is often thought that cortisol, which is secreted during stress as a result of activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis, is associated with this stress-induced impairment of reproduction. It has been hypothesized that reproduction in females is particularly susceptible to disruption by acute stress during the series of endocrine events that induce estrus and ovulation. Nevertheless, we found no support for this conjecture when we subjected female pigs to repeated acute stress or repeated acute elevation of cortisol during the period leading up to estrus and ovulation. Conversely, studies have demonstrated that prolonged stress and sustained elevation of cortisol can disrupt reproductive processes in female pigs. Nevertheless, in each study that demonstrated this effect, there were some animals subjected to the prolonged stressor or the sustained elevation of cortisol in which the reproductive parameters that were measured were not affected by the treatment. We propose that reproduction in female pigs is resistant to the effects of acute or repeated acute stress or acute or repeated acute elevation of cortisol even if these occur during the series of endocrine events that induce estrus and ovulation. Furthermore, while reproductive processes in some individuals are compromised, reproduction in a proportion of female pigs appears to be resistant to the effects of prolonged stress or sustained elevation of cortisol.     

朱鹮引种繁殖试验研究

为了建立不同地区朱种群和加快繁殖 ,2 0 0 2年从洋县引种朱 6 0只到秦岭北麓 ,用人工孵化育雏和亲鸟自然孵化育雏相结合的方法 ,并加强幼鸟管理 ,对其中 14对繁殖朱进行了 2年观察研究。结果显示当年产卵 45枚 ,受精卵 35枚 ,受精率 77.78%,出雏 32只 ,成活2 6只 ,成活率 81.2 5%(2 6 / 32 )。 2 0 0 3年产卵 46枚 ,受精卵 40枚 ,受精率 86 .95%,出雏 35只 ,成活 34只 ,成活率 97.1%(34 / 35)。其中 ,2 0 0 2 ,2 0 0 3年亲鸟自然孵化 ,受精率分别为88.89%和 10 0 %,成活率均为 10 0 %,亲鸟自然孵化育雏优于人工孵化育雏     

Effect of parental origin on early life history traits of European eel

Establishment of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) hatchery production will rely on selectively bred individuals that produce progeny with the best traits in successive generations. As such, this study used a quantitative genetic breeding design, between four females and nine males (four wild‐caught and five cultured), to investigate the effect of paternal origin (wild‐caught vs. cultured) and quantify the relative importance of parental effects, including genetic compatibility, on early life history (ELH) performance traits (i.e. fertilization success, embryonic survival at 32 hr post‐fertilization, hatch success and larval deformities at 2 days post‐hatch) of European eel. Wild‐caught males had higher (56%) spermatocrit values than cultured males (45%), while fertilization success, embryonic survival, hatch success and larval deformities were not significantly impacted by paternal origin. This demonstrates that short‐term domestication of male eels does not negatively affect offspring quality and enables the consideration of cultured male broodstock in future breeding programmes. Moreover, paternity significantly explained 9.5% of the variability in embryonic survival, providing further evidence that paternal effects need to be taken into consideration in assisted reproduction protocols. Furthermore, maternity significantly explained 54.8% of the variation for fertilization success, 61.7% for embryonic survival, 88.1% for hatching success and 62.8% for larval deformities, validating that maternity is a major factor influencing these “critical” ELH traits. At last, the parental interaction explained 12.8% of the variation for fertilization success, 8.3% for embryonic survival, 4.5% for hatch success and 20.5% for larval deformities. Thus, we conclude that eggs of one female can develop more successfully when crossed with a compatible male, highlighting the importance of mate choice for successful propagation of high‐quality offspring. Together, this knowledge will improve early offspring performance, leading to future breeding programmes for this critically endangered and economically important species.     

Ostriches’ reproduction behaviour and mastery of natural incubation under farming conditions

This study describes the ostriches’ behaviour in natural incubation and two key elements to improve this way of reproduction: artificial introduction of eggs in the nest and modifying the nest location when not adequate. Six females and 3 males were observed during four reproduction seasons. The results show that it is possible to lead ostriches change the nest. Eggs incubation was the male and the main female’s responsibility; the second female of the trio shared this task in 85% of cases. Presence of eggs incited ostriches to sit in the nest. Incubation per se began when the couple took turns in a regular way to perform this role; mating and laying stopped. Hatching was marked by a higher aggressiveness among parents who watched over the nest to ensure the hatching of late eggs and continued to sit in the nest as long as there were eggs. The mean fertility and hatchability of set eggs were 58.68 and 41.55% respectively. Fertile eggs had less than 12 days of storage when introduction into the nest. Viability at 3 months of the chicks kept with their parents was higher than that of the chicks reared by our care (82% and 57% respectively).     

Glucose and cortisol concentrations in cows treated with a slowly-absorbed betamethasone suspension

A slowly-absorbed aqueous suspension of betamethasone, intended for use in the induction;of parturition, was administered to 10 cows. Each cow received 2ml (mean individual dose, 44.4 +/- 0.5microg/kg) by subcutaneous injection. Plasma samples were collected on six occasions over a seven-day period before treatment and on 21 occasions over a 29 day period after treatment. The mean concentration of betamethasone in plasma, as measured by radioimmunoassay, peaked at 0.6ng/ml24 hours after injection and was detectable for four days. Depression of the endogenous cortisol levels, as recorded with other long-acting synthetic glucocorticoids, was observed with this preparation of betamethasone. Plasma glucose was significantly elevated for eight days after betamethasone administration.     

Effect of dietary saponin rich soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on growth performance,immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP), a cheap source of saponins, on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens. The experimental design was 4×2, employing four saponin levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg diet), each provided for two time durations (0–42 day and 21–42 day) resulting into eight dietary treatments. Results revealed no significant effect of dietary saponins on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birds. The abdominal fat percentage, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, faecal total plate count, coliform count and E. coli count decreased (p < .05) progressively with increasing saponin levels and lower values were observed at 150 mg and 200 mg saponin levels. Significant improvement of cell‐mediated and humoral immune response was observed in birds fed 150 mg and 200 mg saponin compared to control. The serum glucose concentration was significantly (p < .05) higher in control group compared to other groups. No significant effects of dietary saponin were observed on carcass characteristics, faecal Lactobacillus count, intestinal histomorphometry and cost economics of broiler chicken production. Thus, dietary saponins at 150 mg/kg diet as SSP for three weeks (21–42 days) was optimum for better immunity and welfare of birds without adverse effects on the growth performance.     

Evaluation of three popular diets fed to pet sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps): Intake,digestion and nutrient balance

Three diets fed to 12 pair‐housed sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps, were evaluated through 5‐day intake and digestion trials following 10‐day transitions. Diets 1 and 2 comprised liquid formula mixes with added vegetables and fruit, and Diet 3 comprised extruded pellets and a liquid formula. Diets eaten contained 16 —19% crude protein, 3%–15% crude fat, 10%–11% neutral detergent fibre, 4%–20% starch and 8%–49% sugar (dry basis). Calculated individual dry matter intakes (DMI) ranged from 3.9 to 5.1 g/day, representing 58.2–78.4 kJ/day. DMI was greater for Diet 2 (7.2% BW) vs. Diet 1 (5.6; p = .006) and Diet 3 (4.2% BW; p = .003). Although these differences were no longer detectable on a MBW basis, animals were shown to have gained BW (+14.2 g; p = .03) on Diet 2. In addition to nutrient composition differing widely among diets, DM digestibility (DMD) was higher in Diet 1 (91.2%) compared to Diet 2 (87.3%; p = .03), but DMD for Diet 3 (88.9%) did not differ from other diets. Gliders demonstrated ability to digest a variety of energy substrates, including simple sugars (96%–99%), fats (81%–96%) and starches (79%–98%), as well as substantial insoluble dietary fibre (58%–75%), with significant difference among diets demonstrated for some nutrients. Animals displayed selective feeding behaviours, rejecting insoluble fibre in produce and preferring the lipid‐coated exterior of pellets. The diets used appeared to be balanced with respect to energy, protein and macromineral content, but may predispose to iron excess, other mineral imbalances (especially Ca deficiency) and obesity—clinical health issues described for pet gliders. Future focus on concentrations, types and utilization of dietary fibre in natural and captive diets, vitamin D metabolism and trace mineral interactions in sugar gliders would assist diet optimization for this highly gummivorous species.     

Effect of Repeated Stress Treatments During the Follicular Phase and Early Pregnancy on Reproductive Performance of Gilts

In pig husbandry, stress is being considered an important cause of impaired reproductive performance. Therefore, an experiment was performed to quantify effects of repeated stressors during the follicular phase and/or during early pregnancy on reproductive performance of gilts. Eighty-one cyclic gilts were assigned to one of four treatments, namely, stress treatment during the follicular phase (n = 20), stress treatment during early pregnancy (n = 20), stress treatment during both phases (n = 21) and no stress treatment (n = 20). All gilts were housed individually, but gilts in the stress treatments had no opportunity for visual or physical contact with other gilts. Further, animals in a stress-treatment were grouped for half an hour at the start of the treatment and during the treatment period nose-sling and an unpredictable feeding scheme were applied regularly. The extent of stress was monitored using heart rate measurements, behavioural observations and saliva cortisol levels during nose-sling fixation. Of the 81 gilts, 93% showed oestrus and were inseminated. Of these, 93% were pregnant at day 35, having 17.9 +/- 0.3 ovulations and 15.6 +/- 0.3 foetuses. These parameters were not affected by treatment. The stress treatment during the follicular phase tended to shorten cycle length (stress: 20.8 +/- 0.20; control: 21.2 +/- 0.17 days, p = 0.07) and weight of foetuses at day 35 (stress: 4.47 +/- 0.08 g; no stress: 4.69 +/- 0.08 g, p = 0.06); stress during early pregnancy did not affect any of the reproduction parameters. Percentage stereotypic behaviour, heart rate and saliva cortisol levels varied greatly between animals and between days, but did not differ between the treatments. No relationships were found between any of the reproductive parameters and any of the stress parameters (heart rate, cortisol, stereotypic behaviour). These results indicate that the repeatedly applied acute stressors did not generate a chronic stress-response and that these stressors during the follicular phase and/or during early pregnancy did not affect reproductive processes. It is not clear how these findings relate to suggested effects of stress(ors) on reproductive performance in pig husbandry.     

The effects of exposure duration to optimal concentration of 2‐phenoxyethanol on primary and secondary stress responses in kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum)

The goal of this study was to assess the anaesthetic induction and recovery time in kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) after exposure to various concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 ml/l) of 2‐PE as an anaesthetic, as well as the effects of optimal concentration (0.7 ml/l) of 2‐PE in relation to different exposure time (3, 10, 15 min) on some haematological and serum biochemical indices in this species. Moreover, the effects of 0.7 ml/l on blood parameters were assessed 24 h after the longest exposure. Significant increase was determined in Hb, MCH and MCHC after 10‐min exposure to 2‐PE (p < 0.05). Moreover, Hct, Hb and RBC levels increased significantly after 15 min‐exposure to 2‐PE (p < 0.05). There were no prominent changes in WBC and MCV. The plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and cortisol increased significantly after 10‐ and 15‐min exposure to 2‐PE (p < 0.05) compared with the control group and all other exposure times. The activity of ALT and AST were significantly increased after 10‐ and 15‐min exposure respectively (p < 0.05). In this study, it appears that anaesthetizing kutum with 2‐PE at 0.7 ml/l for 3 min had no effect on the stress markers.     

Measurement of membrane integrity in canine spermatozoa using a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method after SYBR-14/PI staining compared with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining

The aim of this study was to compare measurements of spermatozoal membrane status in dogs using computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification (CASQ) after staining with SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI) with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining. CASQ was performed on fresh (n = 11) and thawed cryopreserved canine semen (n = 91) using (1) a red long-pass (LP) filter on an untreated sample (membrane-disrupted spermatozoa, MDS count) and in a sample with all cellular membranes disrupted (total spermatozoal count, TC), (2) green LP filter for a TC and the red filter for an MDS count and (3) a green short-pass filter to obtain a membrane-intact spermatozoa (MIS) count and the red filter to obtain the MDS count, which were added to give a TC (red–green filter CASQ, n = 50). Spermatozoa were also stained with CFDA/PI, manually examined and classified as MIS or MDS. All measurements were performed in duplicate. The percentage of membrane-intact spermatozoa (MIS) was calculated. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa (PMS) was determined subjectively. The data were analysed to measure the agreement between the CASQ and CFDA/PI methods, repeatability of the methods and correlation between the MIS and PMS percentage. Compared with the CFDA/PI method, the agreement of MIS percentage with red filter CASQ was −12% to 34%, green LP filter CASQ −42% to 47% and red–green filter CASQ −23% to 29%. The repeatability of the CFDA/PI and red–green filter CASQ methods were the highest. The MIS and PMS percentages were always correlated (p < .05). Measurement of MIS percentage using red and red–green filter CASQ appeared to be the most reliable automated methods.     

Effect of extruded linseed on productive and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows

A total of 356 early lactation multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding extruded linseed on milk production and composition, and reproductive performance. Forty of these cows were randomly selected to study the effects of extruded linseed on milk fatty acid (FA) profile, individual feed intake and prostaglandin secretion. Cows were fed a 40:60 forage to concentrate ratio diet (17.9% CP, 27.7% NDF and 6.0% EE) ad libitum that was similar in composition between treatments except for the protein supplements that differed and were control (CTR: 4.9% extruded soybean) and linseed (LIN: 5.5% extruded linseed). Individual DM intake measured at 40 (23.0 kg/d) and 90 (24.2 kg/d) days in milk, and milk yield (45.0 kg/d) were not affected by treatment, but the lower (P < 0.05) milk fat percentage in cows fed LIN (2.65%) compared with CTR (2.86%) resulted in lower (P < 0.05) 4.0% fat-corrected milk yield for cows fed LIN (35.4 kg/d) compared with CTR (37.7 kg/d). Milk protein content was higher (P < 0.05) in LIN (3.04%) than in CTR (3.00%). The concentration of saturated FA was lower (P < 0.05) in milk fat from LIN (56.2%) compared with CTR (60.2%). Monounsaturated FA (35.7 vs. 32.7%) and polyunsaturated FA (8.0 vs. 6.9%) were higher in LIN (P < 0.05) than in CTR. Supplementation with LIN also increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of vaccenic acid (2.21 vs. 1.55%), total conjugated linoleic acid (0.91 vs. 0.72%) and n-3 FA (1.21 vs. 0.54%) in milk compared with CTR. Plasma concentrations of prostaglandin metabolite were numerically lower in LIN (106 pg/ml) compared with CTR (120 pg/ml) (P = 0.16) but reproductive performance was similar between treatments. In summary, extruded linseed reduced milk fat percentage and 4.0% fat-corrected milk yield and increased milk protein percentage and the content of healthy FA in milk without modifying DM intake, milk yield and reproductive performance.     

Haematological, hormonal and biochemical blood parameters in lamb: Effect of age and blood sampling time

This study examined the effect of blood sampling time (farm, transport, lairage) on welfare physiological indicators in two groups of different age/weight Manchega breed lambs (suckling vs light). Blood sampling time had a different effect on both types of lamb: In light lambs, there was an increase (P < 0.001) in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin, hematocrit and urea after lairage; but adrenaline, glucose and creatinine increased after transport. In suckling lambs, there were higher values of cortisol and potassium on the farm, both glucose and sodium increased after transport while adrenaline did after lairage. In general, significant differences (P < 0.001) were found between both types of lamb in the parameters analysed. Light lambs showed higher values of RBC, haemoglobin, hematocrit, adrenaline, noradrenalin, LDH, CK, sodium and lactate than younger animals in all blood sampling times. Only after lairage were urea and leucocytes lower (P < 0.05) in suckling than in light lambs, while cortisol was higher on the farm and lower after lairage in younger animals.     

Effect of sperm pretreatment with glutathione and membrane destabilizing agents lysolecithin and Triton X‐100, on the efficiency of bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproduction tool with several applications. Its effectiveness in bovines is lower than that in other species, mainly because of difficulties in the decondensation of the sperm nucleus after injection, and the presence of the acrosome and the plasma membrane which remain intact in this procedure. In this study, we assessed the effect of lysolecithin (LL) and Triton X‐100 (TX), in combination with glutathione (GSH) as sperm pretreatments prior to ICSI. The GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups showed 0% of spermatozoa with intact membrane (SYBR 14+/PI), in comparison with the control (63.3%) and GSH (65.7%) groups. The proportions of spermatozoa with damaged acrosome membrane in the GSH‐LL, GSH‐TX, GSH and control groups were 46%, 35.9%, 10.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Sperm chromatin decondensation analysis showed that the groups incubated for 3 hr with GSH presented greater decondensation (p < .05). Although fertilization was improved in all treatment groups evaluated, no differences were observed in the cleavage rate 72 hr after activation in the GSH (73.7%), GSH‐LL (80.2%) and GSH‐TX (77.8%) groups compared to the control (66.3%), neither in the blastocyst rate on day 8 (24.0%, 26.2%, 27.1% and 28.4% for the control, GSH, GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups, respectively). No differences were also observed in the total number of cells in all groups. In conclusion, although these sperm treatments promoted nuclear decondensation and induced plasma membrane disruption, these effects were not sufficient to improve bovine embryonic development after ICSI.     

Stress response of extensively reared young bulls being transported to growing-finishing farms under Spanish summer commercial conditions

To evaluate the effect of Spanish summer commercial journeys on the stress response of young bulls born and reared under extensive conditions, 2 replicates of a transport from an assembly centre to a growing-finishing farm were studied. Journeys lasted 27 h, involving a total of 62 young bulls. Variables under study included haematocrit, red blood cell count (RBC), total white blood cell count (WBC), differential WBC counts, serum haptoglobin (Hp), cortisol, glucose, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and albumin at loading, at the end of an intermediate market stop, and at the unloading. Before the beginning of the journey elevated WBC and neutrophil counts, and high Hp values were detected, reflecting high stress levels probably as a consequence of previous procedures associated with the grouping at the assembly centre. Some stress was also detected at the end of the market stop, with cortisol increasing from 6.5 to 12.6 ± 2.0 ng/mL (P < 0.001), although a change in Hp concentration was not observed. Neither CPK and LDH activities, related to muscular tissue damage, nor haematocrit and RBC count, related to dehydration revealed a significant effect of this first stage of the journey on the physical stress of the young bulls. Subsequent 13 h transport to the growing-finishing farm induced an increase in Hp levels from 0.48 to 0.78 ± 0.16 mg/mL (P < 0.001), reflecting an onset of the acute stress response, although cortisol levels immediately after the unloading were similar to those found before loading at the market, suggesting that calves got accustomed to transport. At the end of the journey some dehydration and physical stress were also detected. Overall, our study provides new information to the discussion of the effect of temperatures during cattle transport. Although an improvement in pre-transport conditions is essential if the welfare of assembled and transported cattle is to be improved, the stress-related alteration of cattle physiology under Spanish summer commercial transport conditions is similar to that observed under colder conditions.     

Cortisol and Immune Measures in Boars Exposed to Three-day Administration of Exogenous Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of adrenal stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on blood cortisol concentration and on circulating total and differential leukocyte counts during and in the 16 days after ACTH administration. Swedish Landrace boars aged approximately 6–7 months were used. ACTH-treated animals (n = 7) were given ACTH intravenously at 10 μg/kg body mass for 3 days. A control group of animals (n = 7) received 1 ml of sterile 0.9% saline intramuscularly. ACTH induced a highly significant increase (p>0.0001) in serum cortisol in treated boars. On the day after the last ACTH dose, the cortisol concentration was significantly higher, but the level of significance was lower than during ACTH administration (p>0.05). During ACTH treatment, a significant increase was recorded in total leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage (p>0.05 to p>0.0001), along with the increase in blood cortisol concentration, whereas percentage lymphocyte count showed a significant decrease. Lymphopenia disappeared upon cessation of treatment, but neutropenia developed in the week after treatment. On all three days of ACTH challenge, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased. An increase in eosinophil percentage was recorded on treatment days 1 and 2, whereas ACTH treatment had no effect on basophil percentage. In conclusion, three-day administration of ACTH to young boars during restraint caused effects similar to acute stress situations, as suggested by disappearance of the effects on immune function after the last drug dosage.