Effects of a topical anaesthetic formulation and systemic carprofen, given singly or in combination, on the cortisol and behavioural responses of Merino lambs to castration

Objective   To determine the effectiveness of a topical anaesthetic formulation (Tri-Solfen) with or without the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (carprofen) on the pain and distress response associated with ring or surgical castration of ram lambs.
Procedures   Merino ram lambs (n = 78) were allocated to 10 treatment groups: 4 groups of knife-castrated lambs and 4 groups of ring-castrated lambs received carprofen (4 mg/kg SC) and Tri-Solfen; 2 control groups (sham) received carprofen at 0 or 4 mg/kg SC. Measurements included plasma cortisol and haptoglobin concentrations, haematology, and behaviour, including posture.
Results   Knife-castrated lambs had higher peak cortisol and integrated cortisol responses for the first 6 h after treatment and greater concentration s of circulating acute phase proteins than ring-castrated lambs, both of which were significantly different from the sham controls. Tri-Solfen applied to the knife castration wound significantly reduced both the peak plasma cortisol concentration and the integrated cortisol response for the first 6 h and improved lying behaviour in the first 12 h. Carprofen reduced the cortisol response to knife castration at 30 min, but elevated the cortisol responses at 24 and 48 h. Carprofen nearly halved the number of acute pain behaviours associated with ring castration. There were no significant additive or synergistic effects from combining the analgesic treatments. Tri-Solfen applied to the tail wound provided no detectible benefits during ring castration + tail docking.
Conclusions   The physiological and behavioural responses suggest that ring castration has less impact on the lamb than knife castration. The specific analgesic treatments can provide modest amelioration of the pain and discomfort associated with castration. Alternative doses or application methods may enhance their efficacy.     

Coat and hair color: hair cortisol and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions

The deleterious effects of heat stress on animal health are being increasingly recognized. This study aimed to determine hair cortisol (HC) and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions with different coat and hair‐cut color. Forty‐five multiparous lactating Holstein cows (days in milk = 130 ± 47, body weight = 753 ± 85 kg) were divided to two main groups of over 80% black coat color (BC) and over 85% white coat color (WC) visually observed based on registry certificates and subdividing to black hair sample (BH) and white hair samples (WH) in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. Hair samples were taken from the forehead of the individuals. Higher HC levels were observed in BC than WC cows (P < 0.05). No differences were found in HC levels between BH and WH groups (P > 0.05). Serotonin levels showed no difference between BC and WC (P > 0.05). Interaction between coat color and hair color was not significant (P > 0.05). The cortisol levels in hair are not affected by pigmentation. However, pigmentation within the coat alters cortisol levels. In conclusion, white coat color retains less cortisol than the black coat. Therefore, white coats are preferable for dairy cows under heat stress conditions.     

Study on cortisol,cortisone and prednisolone presence in urine of Chianina cattle breed

The Chianina, one of the oldest and most important cattle breeds of Italy, is now reared all over the world. The Chianina has been known and appreciated since ancient times because, from a nutritional point of view, its meat has no proper rivals. To date, studies have been performed to evaluate the genetic profile of the breed, but knowledge about the chemical profile is generally lacking. Due to the increased interest from farmers regarding breeding of the Chianina, this study proposes a preliminary evaluation of main endogenous urinary corticosteroids (cortisol and cortisone) and most commonly used synthetic one (dexamethasone). Moreover, after recent findings regarding the presence of endogenous prednisolone in the urine of more popular breeds, particular attention was given to analysis of the presence of prednisolone and prednisone, as well. For this aim, the urine samples of 12 young cows and 30 young bulls was collected at the farms and analysed using a fit‐for‐purpose LC‐MS/MS method. The preliminary results of this study show that prednisolone was found only in Chianina females (3 out of 12). Cortisol and cortisone were found at concentrations that showed a high inter‐individual variability, and that were higher in female urine compared to that of males.     

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.     

两种饲养方式下仔猪生产性能、行为和唾液皮质醇水平的对比分析

【目的】在两种不同饲养方式下,对断奶仔猪生产性能、行为特征和唾液皮质醇激素水平作对比分析,以期说明发酵床饲养可提高仔猪动物福利。【方法】按照密度一致原则 (0.67 m²/头),将88头体重相近（10.42±0.36 kg）的35日龄断奶苏钟仔猪（公母各半）随机分为两组,即漏缝地板饲养组(slatted-floor house, SFH）和发酵床饲养组 (deep-litter house, DLH）。每组设4个重复,SFH和DLH组中每个重复分别为6和16头。适应14 d后,进入试验期,试验期为21 d。自由采食和饮水。试验期间记录仔猪日采食量,分别于仔猪49日龄和70日龄时进行个体称重,按重复计算仔猪的日增重和料肉比;于仔猪68日龄时,进行24 h录像采集,每个重复随机挑选3头仔猪用于行为学观察,观察时间为07:00-17:00;于69日龄上午9:00-10:00,每个重复选择3头仔猪用于唾液采集,测定其皮质醇激素含量。【结果】①SFH和DLH组仔猪末重、日均采食量、日增重和料肉比均无显著差异（P＞0.05）。②与SFH组相比,DLH组仔猪站立和犬坐行为时间比例显著增加（P＜0.05）,躺卧行为显著降低（P＜0.05）;仔猪主要活动时间为08:00-10:00和12:00-15:00;DLH组中仔猪运动和探究行为（特别是翻拱垫料行为）时间比例显著高于SFH组（P＜0.05）,操纵圈舍行为和攻击行为显著低于SFH组（P＜0.05）;与SFH组相比,DLH显著提高了仔猪饮水时间比例（P＜0.05）,但对排泄（排尿和排便）行为无显著影响（P＞0.05）;DLH组仔猪总采食时间显著低于SFH组（P＜0.05）,但因采食次数的显著增加（P＜0.05）,使DLH组仔猪每次采食持续时间显著高于SFH组（P＜0.05）。③DLH组仔猪唾液中皮质醇激素含量显著高于SFH组（P＜0.05）。【结论】发酵床饲养能够增加断奶仔猪的探究行为、运动行为以及每次采食持续时间,降低其攻击和操纵圈舍行为,提高了仔猪动物福利。     

The effect of midazolam or lidocaine administration prior to etomidate induction of anesthesia on heart rate,arterial pressure,intraocular pressure and serum cortisol concentration in healthy dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate selected effects of midazolam or lidocaine administered prior to etomidate for co-induction of anesthesia in healthy dogs.Study designProspective crossover experimental study.AnimalsA group of 12 healthy adult female Beagle dogs.MethodsDogs were premedicated with intravenous (IV) butorphanol (0.3 mg kg^–1), and anesthesia was induced with etomidate following midazolam (0.3 mg kg^–1), lidocaine (2 mg kg^–1) or physiologic saline (1 mL) IV. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate (f_R) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded following butorphanol, after co-induction administration, after etomidate administration and immediately following intubation. Baseline IOP values were also obtained prior to sedation. Etomidate dose requirements and the presence of myoclonus, as well as coughing or gagging during intubation were recorded. Serum cortisol concentrations were measured prior to premedication and 6 hours following etomidate administration.ResultsBlood pressure, f_R and IOP were similar among treatments. Blood pressure decreased in all treatments following etomidate administration and generally returned to sedated values following intubation. HR increased following intubation with midazolam and lidocaine but remained stable in the saline treatment. The dose of etomidate (median, interquartile range, range) required for intubation was lower following midazolam (2.2, 2.1–2.6, 1.7–4.1 mg kg⁻¹) compared with lidocaine (2.7, 2.4–3.6, 2.2–5.1 mg kg⁻¹, p = 0.012) or saline (3.0, 2.8–3.8, 1.9–5.1 mg kg⁻¹, p = 0.015). Coughing or gagging was less frequent with midazolam compared with saline. Myoclonus was not observed. Changes in serum cortisol concentrations were not different among treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMidazolam administration reduced etomidate dose requirements and improved intubation conditions compared with lidocaine or saline treatments. Neither co-induction agent caused clinically relevant differences in measured cardiopulmonary function, IOP or cortisol concentrations compared with saline in healthy dogs. Apnea was noted in all treatments following the induction of anesthesia and preoxygenation is recommended.     

高温高湿环境对生长猪生长性能、血浆皮质醇浓度和免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在研究高温高湿环境对生长猪生长性能、血浆皮质醇浓度和免疫功能的影响.试验采用2×2双因子完全随机设计,2个温度水平[23和33℃],2个湿度水平(相对湿度为55%和80%).选取体蕈为(30.00±1.72)kg的杜×长×大三元杂交阉公猪24头,随机分为4个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复1头猪.试验持续14 d.结果表明:1)环境温度显著影响平均日采食量、平均日增重和料重比(P<0.01),环境湿度显著影响平均日增重和料重比(P<0.01),高温和高湿均使生长性能降低,而温度和湿度的交互作用对生长性能的影响不显著(P>0.05).2)环境温度显著影响第1天(P<0.01)、第7天(P<0.05)血浆皮质醇浓度,高温引起第1天皮质醇浓度升高,第7天降低.环境温度显著影响第7天的白细胞总数(P<0.05),第1天的中性粒细胞数及中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞(N/L)值(P<0.01),第1天、第7天的B淋巴细胞转化率(P<0.05),第14天的CD4+细胞数及CD4+/CD8+值(P<0.05).高温引起第7天的白细胞总数减少,第1天的中性粒细胞数及N/L值升高,第1天、第7天的B淋巴细胞转化率升高,第14天的CD4+细胞数及CD4+/CD8+值降低,湿度以及温度和湿度的交互作用对血浆皮质醇浓度和免疫功能的影响均不显著(P>0.05).结果提示,环境高温、高湿均显著降低猪的生长性能,持续高温能显著降低猪的细胞免疫功能,进而引起抗病力下降.     

运输应激状态猪血液皮质醇含量与肉质性状之间的关联性分析

试验旨在研究商品猪血液中皮质醇含量与宰后的胴体性状和肉质表观指标之间的相关性并探讨其内在联系。在具有秋季典型气温时间（2012年8月20日）,选取120头商品猪,猪只运输时间约为2h,运输到屠宰场后休息1．5h后屠宰,取血液样品测定皮质醇含量,取背最长肌测定肉质指标,并测定猪只的胴体重和背膘厚。根据测定得到的皮质醇浓度,将猪只分成三个组,低皮质醇组（〈120ng／mL）、中皮质醇组（120～130ng／mL）和高皮质醇组（〉130ng／mL）,比较三组之间肉质和胴体指标之间的差异。结果表明,在肉质指标方面,除中皮质醇组猪只的24h的电导率有升高的趋势（P=0．08）外,其余均无显著差异;在胴体性状方面,高皮质醇组胴体重极显著高于（P〈0．01）低皮质醇组,高皮质醇组背膘厚显著高于（P〈0．05）低皮质醇组,与中浓度皮质醇组差异均不显著。猪只血液中皮质醇含量与胴体重和背膘厚度都存在着极显著的正相关,相关系数分别为0．349和0．274。各肉质指标之间也存在相关性,其中PH与电导率为极显著的负相关,pH与肉色的L值呈极显著的负相关,45min时测定的肉色L值与滴水损失相关系数为0．234,猪只胴体重和背膘厚度呈极显著的正相关关系,相关系数为0．596。结果提示,无法通过猪只血浆皮质醇浓度的高低来评估宰后猪肉品质,但一定程度内较高的皮质醇浓度会有利于个体增重和背部脂肪的沉积。     

Effects of intracerebroventricular infusions of corticotropin‐releasing hormone in sheep

To provide new insights into the neural mechanisms of physiological and behavioral responses to stressors in sheep, acute changes in endocrine, autonomic and behavioral functions following 30 min infusions of ovine‐corticotropin‐releasing hormone (oCRH; 0, 0.5, 5 or 50 µg/0.5 mL of artificial cerebrospinal fluid/30 min) into the third ventricle of sheep (n = 7–8) were examined. Serial blood samples were collected through indwelling jugular catheters to determine plasma cortisol concentrations (CORT). Heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) were obtained via telemetry systems. The behaviors of the animal were monitored simultaneously. Intracerebroventricular infusions of CRH dose‐dependently induced an increase in CORT; there was a time–treatment interaction in CORT (P < 0.001). There was not a time–treatment interaction either in HR (P = 0.29) or in RT (P = 0.28). That RT showed a tendency to decrease with higher doses of CRH in sheep was in contradiction to previous reports in rats and pigs. As to changes in behavioral function, only the induction of bleating was marked. These results suggest that in physiological and behavioral responses of sheep to stressors, CRH regulates the increase in CORT and the induction of bleating. However, CRH might have little function in sympathetic nervous activation during physiological responses to stressors in sheep.     

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.