Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Dairy Cows: A Cross-Sectional Exploration of Associations with Animal, Stockperson, and Farm Characteristics

Abstract

To date, little is known about influences on cows’ physiological stress levels on farms. The present study explored associations of fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations (FCM) with (1) farm factors including human–animal contact, (2) cows’ fear behaviors towards humans, and (3) milk production and udder health, involving 25 dairy farms and repeated fecal samples (n = 2625) from 674 focal cows. Farm factors via interviews and observations, avoidance distance (AD) and qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) during a human–animal interaction were recorded. Milk yield and somatic cell scores (SCS) were calculated from milk recordings. Levels of FCMs were in general relatively low. No associations with AD and milk yield could be detected. Correlations between FCMs and QBA and SCS were significant, but on a low level. Against expectations, FCMs were higher, when the farm provided concentrates by hand and habituated heifers to milking, in part possibly due to reversed cause–effect relations. Decreased FCM levels were found on farms that did not separate diseased cows, possibly due to the avoidance of social stress following changes in group structure. Additionally, straw yards compared to raised cubicles and generous compared to suboptimal lying space were associated with decreased levels, underlining the importance of comfort around resting. Moreover, FCMs were decreased with increased human contact time per cow. The different associations detected in this study provide a basis for further experimental investigations that moreover might provide insights into causal relationships.

Exploring the Evacuation of Dairy Cattle at Night in Collaboration with the Fire Brigade: How to Prepare Openings for Swift Rescue in Case of Barn Fire

“…The range of FCM values differed strongly between individual animals, as was also shown in the literature [ 41 , 43 ]. With median baseline of all cows at 17.4 ng/g, our results fit the findings of previous studies, falling, for example, in between the results of Rouha-Mülleder et al with median baseline of 23.4 ng/g [ 43 ] and of Ebinghaus et al with 11.0 ng/g [ 36 ].…”

“…However, the direct method of assessing stress by collecting blood samples right after evacuation and quantifying the serum cortisol level would not be possible, as catching and immobilising the animals on pasture for blood sampling risks additional superimposing stress [ 33 ]. Instead, quantifying faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) is a well-established, non-invasive approach in objectively comparing stress responses in animals [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Furthermore, due to the delay of faecal excretion, sampling faeces for quantifying FCMs must take place several hours (cattle: ~9–12 h) after the stressful event, as summarised by Palme [ 38 ].…”

Selection of appropriate biomatrices for studies of chronic stress in animals: a review

“…Cow Blood [14], saliva [14,15], urine [16], milk [17], feces [18] Sheep Blood [19], saliva [19], urine [20], feces [19] Pig Blood [21], saliva [22,23], urine [24], feces [25] Fish Blood [26], respiratory vapor [27] Chronic Cow Hair [28], hooves and claws [29] Sheep Wool [30] Pig Hair [31] Fish Scales [32], fins [33] Table 2. Use of corticosterone as a biomarker in previous studies of stress in animals…”

Animal welfare research – progress to date and future prospects

“…Negative tactile interactions such as slapping cause cows to become fearful, which results in avoidance of humans, and may reduce milk yield (Breuer et al, 2000). Conversely, an improved farmercow relationship can reduce stress indicators (Ebinghaus et al, 2020) and fear, and improve yield (Hemsworth et al, 2002). Fearful responses increased with time spent at grass and decreased with time spent indoors (Crossley et al, 2021), suggesting that as cows are less exposed to humans they become less comfortable around them.…”