Reactions of dairy calves exposed to transport stress at 60 days of age. Effects of various rearing conditions in the developmental quality of calves on physiological variables and their changes

Dairy calves reared in groups of constant (Gk, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and changing composition (Gw, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and single box reared calves (E, N = 15, m 8, w 7) were exposed to transport stress lasting around 60 minutes at 60 days of age. Long term measurements of heart rate (HF) were combined with blood sampling (V. jugularis) before and immediately after transport and at the following day as well. Mean differences of HF, Hb, Hk, lactate and blood urea between groups were found at all sampling points. After transport mean values of HF, MetHb, pO2, O2SAT and O2CONT were increased in all calves and such of HHb were decreased. Measures of acid-base balance and lactate changed differently in calves of the three rearing groups concerning direction and degree. Changing of the variables after transport comparing the starting values was different between rearing groups in 16 out of 25 possible cases. Changing of variables immediately after transport showed strong negative correlations with starting values in case of pH, HCO3, base excess, COHb, total protein, albumin, lactate, glucose and Ca in all groups, in all other cases not in all groups. Strong correlations between sampling points of Hb, Hk, MCHC, O2CONT, O2CAP, creatinine, blood urea and of the minerals indicate a high individual specificity of these measures. Results proof variation components of physiological variables in calves caused by husbandry conditions and their effects on reactions of animals in case of transport stress.     

Quality of development and adaptation reactions of dairy calves at specific age periods in early life. Effect of rearing variations on proteins and minerals and on metabolic variables of blood

Calves from the dairy herd of the institute reared in groups with changing (Gw, N 16, m 9, w 7) and constant composition (Gk, N 16, m 9, w 7) since the first day of life and single box reared calves (E, N 11, m 7, w 4) were tested at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Venous blood samples were analysed for total protein, albumin, creatinine, blood urea, glucose, Ca, Mg, P and iron. At 15 days between group differences of mean values existed for total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine and at 30 days for rectal temperature, albumin, blood urea, Ca, P and Fe, at 60 days for blood urea, glucose, Ca, Mg, P and at 90 days for total protein, albumin, creatinine, glucose, Mg and P. Interactions between group and gender could not be demonstrated. Significant changes of variables with age were most frequent in calves of group Gk, and more frequent with creatinine, blood urea, Fe and glucose. Creatinine concentration diminished permanently with age of the animals, that one of total protein and albumin increased moderately. Blood urea was higher at 90 days, and serum iron at 60 and 90 days than before. Blood glucose concentration at 90 days was lower in calves of group Gw and Gk comparing group E. Significant group differences appeared at 15 days (total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine) and remained till 60 days (blood urea) and 90 days (total protein, albumin) or became stronger at 90 days (creatinine). Total protein, albumin and blood urea were higher in group E than in group Gk and Gw calves. Group Gw calves had smallest glucose concentrations at 60 and 90 days. Significant between groups differences for Ca, Mg, P existed for all sampling points, those for serum iron at 30 days only. Greater Ca and Mg values were found in group Gk and group E calves, greater P concentrations up to 60 days of age in group E calves. P concentrations changed differently in group Gk and group Gw calves with age. Creatinine showed moderately high between sampling point correlations. Changes of variables in calves between age points in relation to the starting situation at 15 days of age showed significant correlations in many cases meaning that there were directed individual and time specific adaptation processes.     

Effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge and age on hair cortisol concentrations in dairy cattle

Dairy cattle suffer stress from management and production; contemporary farming tries to improve animal welfare and reduce stress. Therefore, the assessment of long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function using non-invasive techniques is useful. The aims in this study were: to measure cortisol concentration in cow and calves hair by radioimmunoassay (RIA), to test cortisol accumulation in bovine hair after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges, and determine the influence of hair color on cortisol concentrations. Fifteen Holstein heifers were allotted to 3 groups (n = 5 each): in control group (C), just the hair was sampled; in the saline solution group (SS), IV saline solution was administered on days 0, 7, and 14; and the ACTH group was challenged 3 times with ACTH (0.15 UI per kg of body weight) on days 0, 7, and 14. Serum samples from the SS and ACTH groups were obtained 0, 60 and 90 min post-injection. Serum cortisol concentration was greater 60 and 90 min after injection with ACTH. Hair was clipped on days 0, 14, 28, and 44. Hair cortisol was methanol extracted and measured by RIA. Hair cortisol was preserved for 11 mo. Hair cortisol concentrations in the ACTH group were greater than in the saline and control groups on days 14 and 28, but not on day 44. Concentrations were greater in calves than in cows and greater in white hair than in black hair. Cortisol accumulated in bovine hair after ACTH challenges, but the concentration was affected by both age and hair color. If hair color effects are taken into account, assessing cortisol concentration in hair is a potentially useful non-invasive method for assessing stress in cattle.     

Effect of initial restraint, weaning, and transport stress on baseline and ACTH-stimulated cortisol responses in beef calves of different genotypes.

The productivity and well-being of animals can be substantially affected by stress. This is particularly true in the case of beef calves that are subjected to a multitude of stressors over a short period during the first year of life. Perhaps the most often studied stress-responsive variable has been blood corticosteroid concentrations. Factors such as age, gender, genetics, and degree of prior experience, can influence how an animal perceives and responds to a given stressor. Few studies have tried to control these variables, and accordingly, many conflicting results have been published regarding the impact of various stressors on cortisol response. We measured baseline plasma cortisol concentration over a 44-day study in Bos indicus and Bos taurus calves. Plasma cortisol values in Bos indicus calves were higher (32.60 +/- 0.66 ng/ml) than values in calves of Bos taurus (25.81 +/- 0.76) breeding. A precipitous decrease in cortisol concentration was observed 7 days after transport stress in all calves. Baseline cortisol concentration did not provide any indication of the intensity of the various stressors. However, significant differences were readily observed after ACTH administration. On the basis of cortisol secretion, stresses of transport and weaning were similar and were the most stressful to calves, regardless of genotype.     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in calves after corticotropin-releasing hormone.

The aim for this study was to analyze responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to exogenous bovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (bCRH) in calves. Two dose-response studies were carried out, using either bCRH alone (dose rates of 0, .01, .03, and .1 microg bCRH/kg live weight) or in combination with arginine-vasopressin (bCRH:AVP, 0:0, .1:.05, .5:.25, and 1:.5 microg kg live weight). The bCRH was administered i.v. to calves (n = 5 to 7 per dose) housed individually or in groups. Serial blood samples were obtained from before to 300 min after injection and analyzed for plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations. The lowest bCRH dose that produced a response in all calves was .1 microg/kg. In the experiment using bCRH with AVP, increasing the bCRH dose from .1 to 1 microg/kg resulted in an increase in peak ACTH concentration (321 vs. 2,003 pg/mL) but did not significantly affect the peak cortisol concentration (37 vs. 40 ng/mL). The time to reach the peak cortisol concentration increased with the dose of bCRH with AVP (from 38 to 111 min). The ACTH and cortisol concentrations determined at any time between 20 and 90 min after bCRH injection were correlated to the integrated responses calculated as areas under the ACTH and the cortisol curves (r between .61 and .99, P<.05). In comparison with results from studies in humans, pigs, and sheep, our data showed that the pituitary of calves seems less sensitive to CRH than that of other mammals, despite a greater capacity to produce ACTH. Moreover, the calf's adrenals seem to have a lower capacity to produce cortisol than adrenals of other mammals. As in other species, it seems that AVP enhances the release of ACTH and cortisol. For CRH challenge to be used in calves, we suggest injecting at least .1 microg of bCRH/kg live weight either with or without AVP and taking several blood samples before injection and between 20 and 90 min after injection.     

Physiological reactions of suckler calves from a cow-calf operation exposed to transport stress and temporary separation from the herd in winter stalling

Suckler calves from a cow-calf operation (German Red Pied, German Black Pied) were used repeatedly for separation, transport and isolation (TSI) experiments of 60 min duration at five life ages. Measurements of body weight, body temperature and heart rate were combined with blood sampling before TSI, and at the end of the isolation period of one hour duration as well. Effects of gender, age and body weight on the variables and on the changes of the variables were tested. Characteristic heart rate values showed the increasing excitement and the motor activation of the animals in case of transport and of manipulations and the periods of relative rest within the isolation room as well. Mean noradrenalin concentration was significantly lower after TSI at all age points, mean adrenalin concentration was significantly higher after TSI at 9-14 days and significantly lower at 59-77 days of age than before. Changes of adrenalin concentration were significantly influenced by body weight and age. Sex, body weight and age had significant effects on hemoglobin (Hb), hematokrit (Hk), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), oxygen capacity (O2CAP) and oxygen contents (O2CONT). Hb, Hk and O2CAP were significantly diminished after TSI at all age points, O2CONT and oxygen saturation (O2SAT) were significantly increased after TSI at many age points. Shrinking of body weight after TSI was always significant and was significantly affected by body weight before TSI and by age. Body weight and age had significant effects on body temperature and its changes after TSI.     

Effects of castration on behaviour and plasma cortisol concentrations in young lambs, kids and calves.

Behavioural and cortisol responses to the husbandry practice of castration with tight rubber rings were investigated in lambs and kids one day after birth and in hand reared calves aged one to seven days. There were three treatments: control handling and blood sampling, castration and, in lambs and kids only, intravenous adrenocorticotrophin injection (ACTH). The integrated cortisol responses (area under the cortisol curve) in lambs and kids were least in control, intermediate in castrated and greatest in ACTH animals. No cortisol responses were detected in control or castrated calves. The incidences of behaviour used to assess the intensity of distress apparently experienced in the different species corresponded generally with the magnitudes of the cortisol responses. Behavioural and cortisol responses together suggested that the distress caused by castration was greatest in lambs, intermediate in kids and least but not necessarily absent in hand reared calves.     

Plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropin/cortisol ratios in septic and normal-term foals

BACKGROUND: Little information exists on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in septic foals. HYPOTHESIS: The plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol are expected to be higher in septic foals as compared to normal foals. The concentrations of hormones in septic foals also are expected to differ further depending upon survival. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight control foals and 46 septic foals <14 days of age were included in this study. METHODS: Blood was collected in EDTA once from 28 normal foals born in the University of Georgia or Cornell University equine research herds and from 46 septic foals within 12 hours after admission to 1 of the 3 tertiary care referral centers involved in the study. Septic foal selection was based on a sepsis score of >11 or a positive blood culture. The control foals were age matched to the septic foals in the study. ACTH and cortisol concentrations were measured by a chemiluminescent immunoassay system. RESULTS: Cortisol concentrations in control foals did not vary with age. Septic foals had significantly higher mean ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratios than did normal foals. Within the septic foal group, 28 foals survived to discharge, and 18 were euthanized or died. The mean age was not significantly different between the septic surviving and nonsurviving foals. The mean ACTH/cortisol ratio was significantly higher in the septic nonsurviving foals as compared to the septic surviving foals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Septic foals had higher hormone concentrations as compared to normal foals, which is an expected endocrine response to critical illness. The increased ACTH/cortisol ratio in nonsurviving septic foals in comparison to surviving septic foals could indicate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction at the level of the adrenal gland in critically ill septic foals.     

Corticosterone,cortisol, triglycerides,aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid plasma concentrations during foie gras production in male mule ducks (Anas platyrhynchos × Cairina moschata)

1. Corticosterone, cortisol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and uric acid (UA) plasma concentration were measured at 8 (7 days after group housing), 12 (after 7 days of force feeding) and 13 weeks of age (at slaughter after 12 days of force feeding), and 45?min after an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test at 8 weeks of age in 12 male mule ducks in an on-farm experiment.

2. No significant increase of corticosterone was found during the force-feeding period compared with the concentration after housing.

3. Comparison of corticosterone and cortisol values indicates that cortisol can be considered as a reliable acute stress indicator in future routine examinations.

4. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides and aspartate aminotransferase increased progressively from pre-force feeding period to slaughtering.

5. Plasma concentrations of uric acid increased from the start at 8 weeks of age to the mid-force feeding period but no difference was noticed between the mid-force feeding period and slaughtering.

6. It is concluded that acute stress induced by force-feeding is similar at the beginning and end of the commercial production of foie gras.     

Effects of etomidate on adrenocortical function in canine surgical patients

Adrenocortical function in canine surgical patients given etomidate at 1 of 2 dosages (1.5 mg/kg of body weight or 3 mg/kg, IV) was evaluated and compared with that of dogs given thiopental (12 mg/kg, IV). The adrenocortical function was evaluated by use of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests and determination of plasma cortisol concentrations at 0 minute (base line) and 60 minutes after ACTH administration. At 24 hours before administration of either drug (ie, induction of anesthesia), each dog had an increase in plasma cortisol concentration when given ACTH. The ACTH stimulation tests were repeated 2 hours after induction of anesthesia. Dogs given thiopental had base-line plasma cortisol concentrations greater than preinduction base-line values, but did not increase plasma cortisol in response to ACTH stimulation. Postinduction ACTH stimulation tests in dogs given etomidate at either dose indicated base-line and 60-minute plasma cortisol concentrations that were not different from preinduction base-line values. Therefore, adrenocortical function was suppressed 2 and 3 hours after the administration of etomidate in canine surgical patients.     

不同断奶模式对犊牦牛生长发育、血清生化指标及抗氧化能力的影响

【目的】 本研究通过比较不同断奶模式对犊牦牛生长发育、血清生化指标及抗氧化能力的影响,以期探索科学的犊牦牛早期培育模式。【方法】 选取体重相近、健康的新生犊牦牛24头,随机分为3个处理组,每组8头,公母各半。对照组（GF）犊牦牛出生后在天然牧场内随母放牧哺乳;早期断奶组（EW）犊牦牛随母放牧哺乳至15日龄时隔离母犊,逐渐过渡为饲喂代乳粉,提供开食料及天然牧草自由采食,至犊牦牛固体饲料采食量达到0.5 kg/d时停喂代乳粉,90日龄后停喂开食料转入天然牧场放牧饲养;早期断奶＋益生菌组（EWP）断奶过程同EW组,并在代乳粉、开食料中添加复合益生菌（乳酸杆菌、芽孢杆菌、酵母菌,≥9.98×10¹¹ CFU/g）。分别于犊牦牛30、60、90、150日龄时测定体重及体尺指标,于30、60、90日龄晨饲前采集犊牦牛颈静脉血,测定血清中生化指标、激素、免疫球蛋白水平及抗氧化能力指标。【结果】 30日龄时,EW、EWP组犊牦牛体重、体尺,血清葡萄糖（GLU）、甘油三酯（TG）、胆固醇（CHO）,生长激素（GH）、胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-1）,以及免疫球蛋白A （IgA）、免疫球蛋白G （IgG）水平均显著低于GF组（P<0.05）,EW组皮质醇水平显著高于GF组（P<0.05）;60~150日龄各组犊牦牛体重、体尺均无显著差异（P>0.05）;60日龄时,EW、EWP组犊牦牛血清IGF-1以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH）含量均显著高于GF组（P<0.05）;90日龄时EW、EWP组犊牦牛血清GLU、尿素氮（BUN）、IGF-1、甲状腺素（T₄）及IgA水平均显著高于GF组（P<0.05）,且EWP组血清TG、GH含量及过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性均显著高于GF组（P<0.05）。【结论】 与随母放牧哺乳模式相比,两种早期断奶方式在断奶初期（30日龄）对犊牦牛均产生了一定负面影响,但在断奶后补饲代乳粉与开食料有利于改善犊牦牛后期的生长发育、营养代谢、机体免疫与抗氧化能力,且补充益生菌能够缓解犊牦牛的早期断奶应激,并对犊牦牛生长发育及抗氧化能力的提升有进一步促进作用。     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age

The purpose of this study was to investigate total baseline plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations, and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations in foals from birth to 12 wk of age. Plasma (baseline) cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured in 13 healthy foals at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Each foal received cosyntropin (0.1 μg/kg) intravenously. Plasma cortisol concentrations were measured before (baseline), and 30, and 60 min after cosyntropin administration at birth and at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Compared with baseline, cortisol concentration increased significantly 30 min after administration of cosyntropin on all days. Cortisol concentration was highest at birth, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, compared with all other days. With the exception of birth measurements, cortisol concentration was significantly higher on day 84, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, when compared with all other days. Baseline plasma ACTH was lowest at birth when compared with concentrations on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 42, 56, and 84. Administration of 0.1 μg/kg of cosyntropin, IV, reliably induces cortisol secretion in healthy foals. Differences in the magnitude of response to cosyntropin are observed depending on the age of the foal. These data should serve as a reference for the ACTH stimulation test in foals and should be useful in subsequent studies to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy and critically ill foals.     

Assessment of adrenocortical activity by non-invasive measurement of faecal cortisol metabolites in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of this study was to determine whether glucocorticoid production could be monitored non-invasively in dromedary camels by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs). Five Sudanese dromedaries, two males and three females, were injected with a synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-ACTH injection. Faeces were sampled after spontaneous defecation for five consecutive days (2 days before and 3 days after ACTH injection). Baseline plasma cortisol values ranged from 0.6 to 10.8 ng/ml in males and from 1.1 to 16.6 ng/ml in females, while peak values after ACTH injection were 10.9–41.9 in males and 10–42.2 ng/ml in females. Peak blood cortisol values were reached between 1.5 and 2.0 h after ACTH injection. The concentration of FCMs increased after ACTH injection in the faeces of both sexes, although steroid levels peaked earlier in males [24 h; (286.7–2,559.7 ng/g faeces)] than in females [36–48 h; (1,182.6–5,169.1 ng/g faeces)], reflecting increases of 3.1–8.3- and 4.3–8-fold above baseline levels. To detect chromatographic patterns of immunoreactive FCMs, faecal samples with high FCM concentrations from both sexes were pooled and subjected to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). RP-HPLC analysis revealed sex differences in the polarity of FCMs, with females showing more polar FCMs than males. We concluded that stimulation of adrenocortical activity by ACTH injection resulted in a measurable increase in blood cortisol that was reliably paralleled by increases in FCM levels. Thus, measurement of FCMs is a powerful tool for monitoring the adrenocortical responses of dromedaries to stressors in field conditions.     

Plasma endogenous ACTH concentrations and plasma cortisol responses to synthetic ACTH and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in healthy cats

Plasma cortisol responses of 19 healthy cats to synthetic ACTH and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) were evaluated. After administration of 0.125 mg (n = 5) or 0.25 mg (n = 6) of synthetic ACTH, IM, mean plasma cortisol concentrations increased significantly (P less than 0.05) at 15 minutes, reached a peak at 30 minutes, and decreased progressively to base-line values by 120 minutes. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) between responses resulting from the 2 dosage rates. After administration of 1 mg of DSP/kg of body weight, IV (n = 7), mean plasma cortisol concentrations decreased at postadministration hour (PAH) 1, and were significantly lower than control cortisol concentrations at PAH 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 (P less than 0.01). Administration of 0.1 mg of DSP/kg, IV (n = 8) or 0.01 mg of DSP/kg, IV (n = 14) induced results that were similar, but less consistent than those after the 1 mg of DSP/kg dosage. Mean plasma cortisol concentrations returned to base-line values by PAH 24. There was not a significant difference between the 3 doses (P greater than 0.05) at most times. Measurement of endogenous ACTH in 16 healthy cats revealed plasma ACTH of less than 20 to 61 pg/ml. Seemingly, administration of synthetic ACTH consistently induced a significant (P less than 0.05) adrenocortical response in healthy cats. On the basis of time-response studies, post-ACTH stimulation cortisol samples should be collected at 30 minutes after ACTH administration to ensure detection of peak adrenocortical response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feed efficiency and body composition are related to cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin hormone and insulin-induced hypoglycemia in rams

Metabolic rate and energy consumption increase through the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis when an animal is exposed to a stressor. Residual feed intake (RFI) as a measure of efficiency has been shown to be related to exogenous adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-stimulated cortisol concentrations, which is indicative of the relationship between an animal's response to stress and the efficiency with which the energy is used for growth and production. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that sheep with low post-ACTH serum cortisol concentration relative to the other sheep in the flock have lower RFI values and lower cortisol concentrations following insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Adrenocorticotropin hormone (2.0 μg/kg body weight)-stimulated cortisol concentrations were measured in 100 sheep. The extreme responders were selected (n = 12 high cortisol, n = 12 low cortisol), and feed efficiency and body composition parameters were measured. A second ACTH challenge and an insulin challenge were administered. More efficient sheep (more negative RFI value) were found to have lower (P < 0.05) cortisol concentrations following both an ACTH challenge and an insulin challenge. Low-cortisol sheep (low response to ACTH or insulin) were found to have a lower (P < 0.05) proportion of fat tissue in comparison to the high-cortisol animals. These data clearly indicate that an animal's response to exogenous ACTH or insulin-induced hypoglycemia as a stressor is related (P < 0.05) to efficiency of energy use when measured as RFI. These data have important implications in enabling identification of animals that are superior in terms of feed efficiency and for understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying efficiency of energy use.     

Cortisol, aldosterone, cortisol precursor, androgen and endogenous ACTH concentrations in dogs with pituitary-dependant hyperadrenocorticism treated with trilostane

Trilostane is thought to be a competitive inhibitor of the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD), an essential enzyme system for the synthesis of cortisol, aldosterone and androstenedione. Due to its reliable clinical efficacy, trilostane is increasingly used to treat dogs with pituitary-dependant hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of trilostane on precursor concentrations located before (17alpha-OH-pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrostenedione) and after (17alpha-OH-progesterone, androstenedione, 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol) the proposed enzyme inhibition, on end products of steroid biosynthesis (cortisol and aldosterone) and on endogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in dogs with PDH. Hormones of the steroid biosynthesis pathway were evaluated in 15 dogs before and 1h after injection of synthetic ACTH prior to (t(0)), in weeks 1-2 (t(1)) and in weeks 3-7 (t(2)) of trilostane treatment. Endogenous ACTH concentrations were measured at the same time points before performing the ACTH stimulation test. During trilostane treatment baseline and post-stimulation cortisol concentrations decreased significantly. Baseline serum aldosterone levels showed a significant increase; post-stimulation values decreased. Baseline and post-stimulation 17alpha-OH-pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrostenedione concentrations increased significantly. 17alpha-OH-progesterone and androstenedione levels did not change. Post-stimulation 21-deoxycortisol concentrations decreased significantly, baseline 11-deoxycortisol concentrations increased significantly. Endogenous ACTH levels showed a significant increase. The significant increase in 17alpha-OH-pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrostenedione concentrations confirms an inhibitory effect of trilostane on the 3beta-HSD. Since 17alpha-OH-progesterone concentrations did not change, but cortisol concentrations markedly decreased, trilostane seems to influence additional enzymes of the hormone cascade, like the 11beta-hydroxylase and possibly the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.     

Effect of exogenous ACTH on serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations in the Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)

The effects of exogenous adrenocorticortrophic hormone (ACTH) on the serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations were determined in 28 mature Moluccan cockatoos (Cacatua moluccensis), a representative of the psittacine species. Birds were randomly assigned to 4 groups (2 ACTH-treated groups and 2 saline-treated controls). Group I (10 cockatoos [5 males and 5 females] ) was given 15 IU of ACTH after blood samples (base line) were taken at 10:00 AM. Blood samples were taken again at 30 minutes and 2.5 hours after ACTH administration. Group II (10 cockatoos) was given similar treatment, but blood samples were taken at 1 and 4 hours after ACTH was administered. Groups III and IV (each of 4 birds) were given saline solution injections as controls. Blood samples were taken at 30 minutes and 2.5 hours after injection (group III) and at 1 and 4 hours after injection (group IV). All serum samples were analyzed for cortisol and corticosterone. Serum corticosterone concentration increased significantly (P less than 0.01) from base-line levels (26 ng/ml) to 108 ng/ml within 30 minutes after ACTH was administered. The high values were maintained for 3 hours and then decreased to 40 ng/ml at the end of 4 hours. Male birds seemed to respond to the ACTH treatment quickly and maintained increased concentration for a shorter period when compared with the responses seen in female birds. Serum cortisol values remained low throughout the experimental period. These results indicate that serum corticosterone was responsive to ACTH administration, but cortisol was not. In addition, there may be a difference in the responses between male and female members of the species.     

The effect of a pain medication in bloodless castration of male calves on the concentrated feed intake,weight gain and serum cortisol level

Since September 2001, castration of male calves in Switzerland is not allowed without anesthesia. The use of rubber rings for this purpose is forbidden. It was the goal of this study to describe the effect of a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, administered additionally to sedation and local anesthesia, in clamp-castrated (Burdizzo) calves of 110 to 160 kg of body weight. Plasma fibrinogen concentration, white blood cell count, serum cortisol concentration, scrotal swelling, concentrate intake and weight gain were evaluated. A positive effect after administration of a NSAID was obvious for the serum cortisol concentration, the concentrate intake within the first 3 days after castration and scrotal swelling.     

Effect of hot-iron disbudding on behaviour and plasma cortisol of calves sedated with xylazine

We investigated cortisol and behaviour for the first hour after hot-iron disbudding of calves aged 37 ± 4 days: disbudded after i/m xylazine (n = 10); disbudded after i/m xylazine and regional anaesthesia with lidocaine (n = 10); sham-disbudded after xylazine and lidocaine (n = 11); sham-disbudded after i/m saline and lidocaine (n = 10). Xylazine-treated groups had higher cortisol than saline-treated animals and showed no differences among them at any time. Sham-disbudded calves with xylazine had lower cortisol at 60 min compared with all other times. Xylazine-alone disbudded calves struggled more during the procedure than all other groups. Xylazine-alone disbudded calves showed more ear-flicks at 10, 25 and 40 min and head-shakes at 40 min than all other groups. We conclude that cortisol should not be used as an indicator of pain in disbudded calves while under the sedative effect of xylazine and that some behaviours during and after the procedure are useful in showing that xylazine alone does not control hot-iron disbudding pain.     

Serum copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus concentrations of calves stressed by bovine respiratory disease and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

The relationship between serum minerals and stress and(or) disease has not been fully evaluated in beef cattle. Two trials were conducted to determine the changes in serum Cu and Zn during market-transit stress and(or) disease. Two additional trials were conducted to determine the changes in serum Cu and Zn after inoculation with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV), with one of the trials determining the changes in serum Ca and P. Trials 1 (n = 80) and 2 (n = 100) utilized calves that were handled through a normal market-transit system and transported 1,967 km to the feedlot. Trials 3 (n = 37) and 4 (n = 8) used calves that were sero-negative to IBRV and then challenged with 2.7 x 10(5) plaque-forming units of the virus. Serum samples were collected at specified intervals and serum minerals were measured for each trial. Serum Zn for morbid or IBRV-challenged calves was decreased by 34, 57, 29 and 15% (P less than .05) for the four trials, respectively, at peak morbidity. Serum Cu of morbid or IBRV-challenged calves increased 5, 15, 40 and 33% for the four trials, respectively, at peak morbidity. Feed intakes were lower during morbidity for market-transit trials and after IBRV inoculation. Lower feed intake could partially explain the decrease in serum Zn; however, when feed intake was held constant, serum Zn concentration still decreased. Serum Zn decreased and serum Cu increased during market-transit morbidity or after IBRV.