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.