Changes in serum cortisol concentrations in West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks during electroejaculation

Abstract

Changes in the concentration of serum cortisol in blood samples of twenty healthy West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks were determined during electro-ejaculation. The animals were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group I consisted of bucks that had rectal probe inserted but were not electroejaculated (NEE), and group II consisted of bucks that were electroejaculated (EE) in the morning (0900hr), afternoon (1400hr) and late afternoon (1800hr). The results showed that serum cortisol values found in both groups were similar (P>0.05). Increase in cortisol levels were observed (P<0.05) in the afternoon in both EE and NEE animals in comparison with morning and late afternoon. The findings of this study indicate that the increase observed in cortisol concentrations in the afternoon in both groups reflects stress stimuli due to slight increase in ambient temperature.