Faecal cortisol concentrations as indicator of stress during intensive fattening of beef cattle in a humid tropical environment

Abstract

The study evaluated the concentrations of faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) in intensively fattened beef cattle from a feedlot in a humid tropical environment. A total of 360 bulls weighing 271-371 kg were kept confined in pens from the start to the end of the fattening period (FP). At 24 h after arriving at the feedlot, cattle were distributed into the pens according to their live weight: 271-320 kg, 321-370 kg, and >370 kg. At the start of the FP, four pens of each weight group were randomly selected, and in each of them 10 faecal samples were obtained from 10 randomly selected bulls; this sampling was repeated in the same pens and in each weight group at the middle and end of the FP. The FCM were measured through enzyme immunoassay. The 271-320 kg group had higher FCM at the end of the FP (P < 0.05), the 321-370 kg group had similar FCM throughout the FP (P > 0.05), and the >370 kg group showed higher FCM at the start and end of the FP (P < 0.05). Higher FCM were observed at the middle of the FP in the 321-370 kg group, and at the end of the FP in the 271-320 kg and >370 kg groups (P < 0.05). Mean FCM obtained throughout the FP were within normal ranges for cattle, suggesting that appropriate management in feedlots in humid-tropical regions can provide bulls with a low-stress environment.

Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites and body temperature in Australian merino ewes (Ovis aries) during summer artificial insemination (AI) program

“…Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) evaluation is gaining popularity as a non-invasive index of physiological stress in livestock animals [ 11 ]. It is the measurement of FGMs present in faeces collected from the animal, which reflects the amount of cortisol present in blood prior to excretion and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity [ 12 ].…”

Cortisol in Manure from Cattle Enclosed with Nofence Virtual Fencing

“…For example, in lactating cows, Ebinghaus et al [ 25 ] reported an FCM range of 9–48 ng/g on organic dairy farms, and Rouha-Mülleder et al [ 27 ] observed FCM concentrations at the farm level ranging from 9 to 48 ng/g. In beef bulls, Hernández-Cruz et al [ 28 ] showed slightly lower FCM concentrations of 8–18 ng/g during different stages of the fattening period. Conversely, Bertulat et al [ 29 ] showed FCM concentrations in lactating dairy cows ranging from 30 to 185 ng/g.…”

Stress in wildlife: comparison of the stress response among domestic, captive, and free-ranging animals

“…The range of glucocorticoid concentrations in bison bulls correlates with their hierarchy rank; bulls with high social status must pay the physiological price of high glucocorticoid levels ( 62 ). Furthermore, Tallo-Parra et al ( 64 ) measured fecal concentrations in Holstein cows ( Bos taurus ), while Hernandez-Cruz et al ( 63 ) measured fecal glucocorticoid concentrations in zebu bulls ( Bos indicus) of different ages from beef farms. Because of differences in species, design, and sex (males have higher cortisol levels), the studies cannot be directly compared.…”