Analgesic, behavioural and cardiopulmonary effects of epidurally injected medetomidine (Domitor) in goats

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the analgesic, sedative, immobilizing and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine in goats after lumbosacral epidural injection of three (10, 20 and 30 micrograms/kg body weight) doses. The volume of the injection for all three medetomidine doses was 5 ml in sterile water. Seventeen clinically healthy, Small East African goats of either sex and weighing between 12 and 22 kg (mean +/- SD; 14.8 +/- 2.5 kg body weight) were used. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups. Seven goats were used for evaluating analgesic, behavioural and cardiopulmonary effects while 10 were used for experimental surgery. The cardiopulmonary values and rectal temperature were determined and recorded at time 0 (preinjection) and at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min, and thereafter at 15-min intervals up to 180 min after injection. Analgesia of the flank and perineum was determined at time 0 (preinjection) and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min using a scoring system. The spread of analgesia to the thorax, neck, forelimbs and head was also determined and recorded. The onset and duration of lateral recumbency was noted and recorded. Medetomidine at the given doses induced variable cardiopulmonary depression, which was not detrimental to the animals. All three doses (10, 20 and 30 micrograms/kg) of medetomidine induced adequate analgesia of the flank and perineum. Analgesia extended to the thorax, forelimbs, neck and head. The duration of lateral recumbency was 136 and 166 min for the 20 and 30 micrograms/kg medetomidine doses, respectively. The duration of lateral recumbency was not determined for the animal given 10 micrograms/kg medetomidine. Signs of sedation (lowering of the head, drooping of the lower lip, partial to complete closure of the eyes and salivation) were noted after administration of all three doses. It can be concluded from this study that all three doses induced adequate analgesia of the flank and perineum. Surgical analgesia of the flank of goats was achieved after lumbosacral epidural administration of 20 micrograms medetomidine/kg, diluted in 5 ml of sterile water. Surgery was not performed with the other doses (10 and 30 micrograms/kg) of medetomidine.     

Some behavioural and physiological changes in pregnant goats and sheep during adaptation to laboratory conditions.

Eight goats and 12 sheep were examined during their first six to eight weeks in the laboratory. Plasma corticosteroid concentrations in four untamed goats and four untamed sheep were elevated during the first week but thereafter remained at basal values. In contrast, low corticosteroid concentrations were observed throughout in four tame goats and in four untamed sheep sampled only after they had been in the laboratory for two weeks. Plasma glucose concentrations were elevated during the first week in the untamed goats. In four partially tamed sheep a rise in heart rate which occurred transiently during handling for 4-6 min did not occur when these animals showed tame behaviour after two to three weeks, and in four untamed sheep a rise in plasma corticosteroid concentration, which occurred transiently when seven blood samples were taken in 90 min, did not occur when these sheep were judged to be tame after five to six weeks.     

Milk let-down in goats can be influenced by the type of stimuli applied or to which goats are exposed during suckling and hand milking

The present experiments on goats were conducted with the aim of verifying (a) whether the identity of the goat kids can affect the characteristics of milk let-down during suckling (Study 1) and (b) whether the presence of the goat kids may improve the milk let-down during hand milking (Study 2). In Study 1, 16 lactating goats with twins and 12 with single kids were used. Dams with single goat kids ejected more milk when suckling their kids at Days 5 and 20 of lactation, than when suckling aliens. Dams with twins ejected more milk when suckling their own kids than aliens only at Day 5 of lactation. Taking into account all the dams, they ejected more milk with more fat, protein, and lactose during suckling their own litter than when suckling aliens. In Study 2, when dams (n = 13) were hand milked in the presence of their own litter or in its absence, they ejected more milk with more fat, protein, and lactose than when milked in the presence of alien kids. We conclude that milk let-down in goats can be influenced by the type of stimuli applied or to which they are exposed to during suckling and milking.     

Physiological and behavioural responses of the domestic hen to hypoxia

Physiological and behavioural responses of adult hens and chicks were monitored in atmospheric and increasingly hypoxic conditions to investigate whether anoxic killing was a suitable alternative method for use in the slaughter industry. All birds were placed in a perspex box for easy observation and nitrogen gas was slowly administered when subjecting birds to anoxic conditions. When subjected to decreasing oxygen concentration adult birds slowly became unconscious, without showing any signs of distress, until respiratory failure supervened. Chicks showed similar results but loss of motor control was observed while still conscious which might cause some distress. Further investigations are suggested to alleviate this problem.     

Reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine responses to feed restriction and GnRH treatment in primiparous, lactating sows

The current experiment was carried out to determine whether exogenous GnRH treatment in primiparous, lactating sows undergoing feed restriction would improve reproductive performance after weaning. Sows were allocated to one of three treatments: AA sows (n = 8) were fed to appetite throughout a 28-d lactation, AR (n = 12) and AR + GnRH (n = 12) sows were fed as AA sows from farrowing to d 21 of lactation, and feed intake was reduced to 50% of the ad libitum intakes from d 22 to 28. The AR + GnRH sows received 800 ng of GnRH i.v. every 6 h from d 22 to 28 of lactation, and AA and AR sows received saline. Sow weight, backfat, and litter weight were recorded weekly. Within 2 d after farrowing, litter size was standardized to 8 to 10. At d 17 of lactation, an indwelling jugular catheter was surgically implanted in each sow. Blood samples were taken for characterization of plasma LH, FSH, insulin, IGF-I, and leptin by RIA at d 21 and before and after weaning on d 28 of lactation. After weaning, all sows were given ad libitum access to feed, checked for onset of standing estrus twice daily with mature vasectomized boars, and inseminated 12 and 24 h after onset of standing estrus with pooled semen from the same fertile boars (3 x 10(9) sperm/AI). After breeding, feed allowance was reduced to NRC (1988) requirements for gestation. At d 28 +/- 3 of gestation, sows were killed and ovulation rate and embryo survival were determined. Restricted sows lost more weight during lactation than AA sows (P < .02). During the period of feed restriction, plasma IGF-I and postprandial insulin and leptin in AR and AR + GnRH sows, and LH pulse frequency in AR sows, were lower than those in AA sows (P < .04). Associations (P < .004) between plasma insulin and leptin and between leptin and mean LH concentrations were established. The LH pulse frequency in AR + GnRH sows did not differ from that in AA sows before weaning. After weaning, maximum, mean, and minimum LH concentrations in the AA and AR sows, and FSH concentrations in AR sows, increased (P < .05) in response to weaning. Paradoxically, GnRH treatment in lactation seemed to suppress the expected LH and FSH responses to weaning. Ovulation rate and embryo survival were not different among the three groups. In conclusion, although exogenous GnRH therapy restored LH secretion in feed-restricted sows, it did not improve overall reproductive performance.     

Modelling responses to nutritional, endocrine and genetic strategies to increase fertility in the UK dairy herd

The United Kingdom, as in most countries using intensive dairy management programmes, is facing serious challenges in terms of dairy cow fertility, as highlighted by a rapidly increasing calving interval (CI). A mechanistic, mathematical model is described that predicts the size of the future national dairy herd required to supply domestic requirements and its inherent sustainability in terms of production of replacement female numbers. The results from the model suggest that continuing use of current management strategies may result in the national dairy herd being unsustainable due to increasing CI and reduced fertility in as few as 10 years. Adoption of nutritional, endocrine and genetic techniques that increase fertility can effectively and rapidly reverse this trend and reduce the required size of the national herd, thereby reducing methane emissions from dairy production.     

Cardiovascular, respiratory, and body temperature responses of sheep to the ergopeptides ergotamine and ergovaline

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of the ergot alkaloid ergovaline with effects of ergotamine on blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature in conscious sheep. ANIMALS: 3 sheep with indwelling arterial catheters. PROCEDURE: Ergotamine and ergovaline were injected IV (20 nmol/kg), and their effects on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and pattern, body temperature, and skeletal muscle electromyographic activity were compared with control values obtained following injections of saline (0.9% NaCI) solution or acetone. RESULTS: Both ergopeptides caused immediate and significant increases in blood pressure (50 to 75 mm Hg) without concomitant increases in heart rate. Ergovaline but not ergotamine significantly increased pulse pressure (35 mm Hg). Both ergopeptides resulted in decreased respiratory rate and increased respiratory depth within the first hour of administration. Body temperature was decreased slightly upon ergopeptide administration but continued to increase thereafter, with greater increases developing with ergovaline than with ergotamine. Increased body temperatures of 3.0 to 3.5 C were maintained for at least 10 hours. Respiratory rate was increased to rates as high as 210 to 220 breaths/min in association with hyperthermia. Ergopeptides had no effect on skeletal muscle electromyographic activity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In sheep, ergovaline has similar effects to ergotamine on cardiovascular and pulmonary function and body temperature but is more potent. These effects are consistent with clinical signs observed in the toxicoses developed when ruminants ingest grass with high concentrations of ergopeptides.     

Effects of hypoxia on endocrine and metabolic responses to anaesthesia in ponies

Some metabolic and endocrine effects of hypoxaemia were studied during halothane anaesthesia in six ponies. Each was anaesthetised twice; on one occasion a 20-minute period of hypoxaemia (arterial oxygen tension between 4.4 and 5.8 [mean 5.3] kPa) was imposed during 120 minutes of anaesthesia. On the second occasion arterial oxygen tension was maintained above 17 kPa throughout. Routine cardiovascular monitoring was performed and blood samples were taken to measure haematocrit, cortisol, insulin, glucose and lactate. Anaesthesia was associated with hypotension in both groups (mean ABP < 70 mmHg) but pulse rate changed little from control. Hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 7.0 kPa) developed in the normoxic group and acidosis was more severe than in the hypoxic group. Haematocrit changed little but was higher in the hypoxic group after the hypoxic period (0.39[0.06] vs 0.32[0.06] litre litre(-1)). Plasma cortisol increased significantly during anaesthesia in both groups (maximum values: hypoxic group 418[96], normoxic group 492[102] nmol litre(-1)) and there was no significant difference between them. Glucose concentration increased in the hypoxic group and was significantly higher than in the normoxic group during the hypoxic period (8.8[1.5] vs 6.4[1.5] mmol litre(-1)). Insulin decreased in both groups but this was significant only in the normoxic group (from 34[19] to a nadir of 12[9] iu ml(-1)) and the groups were not significantly different. Lacticacidaemia developed in both groups but was more severe in the hypoxic group (maximum values 2.3[0.6] and 1.3[0.5] mmol litre(-1)). It was concluded that 20 minutes of hypoxia during halothane anaesthesia in ponies did not markedly alter the stress response already induced by anaesthesia.     

Effect of restricted suckling on physiological and behavioural stress parameters in dual-purpose cattle in the tropics

The present study evaluated the effect of restricted suckling (RS) on some physiological and behavioural stress measures compared to artificial rearing (AR). Thirty Holstein × Zebu cows and their calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Cows were milked once daily. All calves were tethered in front of their dams during milking permitting physical contact between them in order to stimulate milk ejection, starting at 5 days of age. Calves in the RS treatment were allowed to suckle during 60 min daily, 30 min after milking and 30 min in the afternoon, while calves in the AR treatment were fed milk from teat bottles at the same times. Data were collected from day 4 to day 9, while treatments started on day 5. Heart and respiratory rates, body weight and temperature were measured (in that order) 15 min before entry into the milking parlour. Blood samples and pedometer readings were collected about 50 min later, immediately on return to their home pens. Higher heart rate in calves was found in the RS group than in the AR group. However, cortisol concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in the AR than in the RS group. No difference was found in average weight gain, milk consumption, number of steps counted, body temperature and respiratory rate in RS and AR calves. AR induced significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of serum cortisol concentration in the cows than did RS. No difference (P > 0.05) was found in body temperature, heart and respiratory rates in RS and AR treatments. It was concluded that suckling and nursing reduces some stress parameters in calves and cows in the AR treatment.     

Heart rate and behavioural responses of crib-biting horses to two acute stressors

The heart rate and behaviour of 14 adult saddle horses, eight crib-biters and six normal controls, were investigated. Initially, the relationship between crib-biting and heart rate was investigated while the horses were undisturbed. The horses were tested when restrained with a lip twitch, and assessed when they were exposed suddenly to the rapid inflation of a balloon. The heart rate of the crib-biters during crib-biting was lower than during other behaviours. The crib-biters had a higher overall mean heart rate (P<0.05) suggesting that they may have had a higher basal sympathetic activity. After the application of the twitch, all the horses had a transient increase in heart rate which returned to basal values more rapidly in the crib-biters. The crib-biters were less reactive to the lip twitch, five of the six investigated remaining calm, and after the release of the twitch, they spent more time nibbling (P<0.05) than the control horses. The crib-biters reacted more strongly to the inflation of the balloon (three of the six reacted), and after it had been inflated they spent more time walking in the box.     

Physiological and behavioural effects of an intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin releasing hormone in goats

This study investigated the effects of an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) on physiological and behavioural responses in goats. In Experiment 1, saline (control) or saline plus 25 microg of ovine CRH was injected into the third ventricle of castrated male goats. CRH increased plasma cortisol (Cor) levels markedly within 15 min, but had little effect on plasma glucose (Glu). Compared with saline injected goats, CRH decreased the total duration of lying behaviour but increased its frequency, and suppressed rumination and self-grooming. In Experiment 2, the effects of an intravenous (IV) injection of human adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (1-24) (0.1mg) were examined and an IV injection of saline was used as control. ACTH increased plasma Cor levels markedly, but did not change any behaviour compared with controls. It was concluded that CRH mediated the response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and behaviour following stress in goats, although the CRH-induced behavioural changes were independent of the HPA axis and seemed to be the result of direct action within the central nervous system.     

Thermophysiological,haematological, biochemical and behavioural stress responses of sheep transported on road

The study was conducted to evaluate the thermophysiological, haematological, biochemical and behavioural stress responses of sheep transported on road. A total of 44 Chamarita breed adult ewes were randomly allotted to one of two groups, one control group (untransported) and transported group (journey of 4 h), and blood stress indicators were measured 1 day before transport and at four time points post‐transport (0, 4 and 24 h). Thermophysiological profiles of ewes were measured by temperature buttons (iButton Thermochron^®) and placed in intravaginal sponges. Direct observations, with a combination of scan and behaviour sampling, were carried out to collect information on individual behaviour and the time it took the ewes to drink water, eat and rest after returning to their pen respectively. Transported ewes lost approximately 1 kg live weight compared to controls and had higher body temperatures until 12 h post‐transport. Cortisol, glucose, non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations as well as the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (N/L) and other physiological indicators were higher immediately after unloading in transported ewes but mostly returned to normal after 4 h, with complete recovery after 24 h. Behavioural analysis post‐transport demonstrated that transported ewes chose to eat before drinking and spent less time resting than controls in the first 3 h after unloading. The study demonstrates that transportation even under short‐journey conditions induced behavioural, physiological and thermophysiological responses indicative of the induction of significant stress, leading to live weight shrinkage that may jeopardize farmer's incomes. Finally, results of this study validated the use of iButton Thermochron^® data loggers for monitoring the stress response during transport.     

Impaired pancreatic endocrine and exocrine responses in growth-retarded piglets

The alteration of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretory responses induced by secretagogues and neural input was investigated in post-weaning growth-retarded (GR) piglets. Blood and pancreatic juice were collected from these animals (6-8-weeks old). Plasma insulin and pancreatic digestive enzymes induced by nutrients, drugs and vagal stimulation were measured biochemically. The pancreas was inspected by immunohistochemical analysis. In GR piglets, the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations at the resting state were very low, and the secretory response was also markedly reduced, with maximum inhibition of 90% by glucose administration and 83% by arginine administration. The insulin secretion was not increased by 2-deoxy-D-glucose administration in GR piglets. The pancreatic juice secretions induced by vagal stimulation and secretagogues in GR piglets were not different from those induced in the control piglets. However, amylase activity in the pancreatic juice and in the pancreas was significantly decreased in GR piglets, although trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were not different. In the immunohistochemical analysis, the numbers of islets and the staining degree for insulin antibody also declined in the pancreases of GR piglets. These results indicated the reduction of insulin and amylase secretions from the pancreas in GR piglets, suggesting that a dysfunction of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion during growth after weaning may be an important factor in the induction of growth retardation in piglets.     

Performance,endocrine, metabolic,and reproductive responses of Nellore heifers submitted to different supplementation levels pre- and post-weaning

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels pre- and post-weaning on performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive responses of Nellore heifers. Fifty Nellore heifers with 132?±?9.9 kg average body weight (BW) and 138?±?19 days of age were supplemented from 4 to 14 months. The heifers were distributed into five supplementation plans: HH—6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre- and post-weaning, HL—6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre-weaning and 3 g/kg post-weaning, LH—3 g/kg of BW pre-weaning and 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning, LL—3 g/kg of BW pre- and post-weaning, and CC—control, no supplementation. Interactions were not significant (P?>?0.10). The level of supplement fed pre-weaning did not affect any of the performance variables evaluated at the end of the experiment (P?>?0.10). There was a significant effect of supplementation and level of supplementation fed post-weaning on average daily gain (ADG) and final BW (P?<?0.05). Overall ADG was also affected only by supplementation and level of supplement fed post-weaning (P?<?0.05) with animals receiving 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning gaining more weight. Follicular diameter was greater in animals that received 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning (P?<?0.05). In summary, performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive variables evaluated in the current study were improved by the level of supplement fed post-weaning. Heifers receiving supplementation of 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning had greater responses, independent of the level received during the pre-weaning phase.     

Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge

Due to seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of herbage, the nutrient supply to grazing dairy cows is not always sufficient, which may increase their metabolic load. To investigate the temporal pattern of behavioural changes in relation to concomitant metabolic alterations, we subjected 15 multiparous early lactating Holstein dairy cows (24 (SD 7.4) days in milk) to a short‐term metabolic challenge, which we provoked by abruptly withdrawing concentrate for 1 week. Cows grazed full‐time and were supplemented with concentrate in experimental week (EW) 1 and EW 3, whereas concentrate was withdrawn in EW 2. We analysed milk and blood samples to characterise the metabolic changes and found that the total yield of milk and protein decreased (p < 0.05) and fat yield, fat‐to‐protein ratio and acetone content increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05), and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta‐hydroxybutyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1. Apart from ingestive and rumination behaviour and activity, we also monitored the use of an automated brush on pasture. While time spent eating and ruminating increased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, time spent idling decreased (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, while time standing and moving increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2, walking time decreased (p < 0.05). The daily proportion of cows using the automated brush decreased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, as did the duration of brushing per day. In conclusion, grazing cows experiencing a metabolic challenge try to compensate for the nutrient deficiency by increasing eating time, a behavioural element important for short‐term survival. Due to the strong impact of weather conditions, we cannot currently recommend observation of outdoor brushing activity to address short‐term alterations in the metabolic state of grazing cows.     

The association between heart rate, heart rate variability, endocrine and behavioural pain measures in horses suffering from laminitis

The objective of this study was to compare the stress response of horses suffering from laminitis after short- and long-term treatment with the intent to evaluate power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) for pain monitoring. Data were collected from 19 horses with acute or chronic exacerbating laminitis without known primary disease before and after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Recordings were carried out the day after admission to the equine hospital. Measurements were repeated on day 7 of the treatment. The recorded parameters included a clinical orthopaedic index (OLPI: Obel-grade plus hoof tester score), frequency of weight-shifting between contralateral limbs, mean beat-to-beat interval (R-R) duration, standard deviation of continuous R-R intervals, low- (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components of HRV, sympatho-vagal balance (LF/HF), and plasma concentration of cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. The LF represents mainly sympathetic influences on the heart whereas HF is mediated by the parasympathetic tone. Weight-shifting and OLPI decreased significantly with treatment. The LF normalized units (n.u.) decreased after NSAID from 60.41 +/- 21.42 to 51.12 +/- 19.81 and was 49.33 +/- 22.64 on day 7, whereas HF n.u. increased from 35.07 +/- 20.02 to 43.14 +/- 18.30 and was 45.98 +/- 23.00 on day 7. Hormone levels showed no tendency to change with treatment. The OLPI was only correlated with LF/HF, LF and HF (R = 0.57, 0.55 and -0.54 respectively). Significant negative correlations existed between HFn.u. and weight-shifting frequency (R = -0.37), HFn.u. and adrenalin (R = -0.47), and HFn.u. and noradrenalin (R = 0.33). The LFn.u. only correlated positively with adrenalin. Cortisol levels were poorly associated with the other parameters. Determination of the sympatho-vagal influences on cardiac function may offer complementary information for reliable assessment of pain and may represent a valuable alternative method to catecholamine measurements.     

Changes in endocrine and immune responses of neonatal pigs exposed to a psychosocial stressor

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a single social isolation (4 h) of piglets on immediate changes in stress hormones and immune responses at 7, 21 or 35 days of age. This social stressor caused an increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations and a decrease in plasma TNF-α. The percentage of CD8⁺ cells increased and the CD4⁺ cell percentage decreased, resulting in decreasing CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio. The observed changes were consistent for all days studied. Further, the isolation treatment resulted in diminished LPS-stimulated IL-1β and IL-10 production in whole-blood cultures. In isolated piglets, positive correlations were estimated between changes in percentage of CD8⁺ cells and cortisol, and negative ones between changes in plasma TNF-α and culture supernatant IL-1β with ACTH and cortisol. The data suggest that psychosocial stress in neonatal pigs induced immune alterations to maintain adaptive stability, but reflecting also negative emotions experienced by this treatment.