Transportation of young beef bulls alters circulating physiological parameters that may be effective biomarkers of stress1

Abstract

Transportation causes stress in cattle that may alter numerous physiological variables with a negative impact on production and health. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the physiological effects of truck transportation and to characterize a pattern of phenotypes in the circulation that may aid in the early identification of stress-susceptible animals that often succumb to severe respiratory disease. Thirty-six young beef bulls (Aberdeen Angus, n = 12; Friesian, n = 12; and Belgian Blue x Friesian, n = 12) were subjected to a 9-h truck transportation by road. Blood (10 mL) was collected at -24, 0, 4.5, 9.75, 14.25, 24, and 48 h relative to the initiation of transportation (0 h). Plasma was collected for the assay of various metabolic, inflammatory, and steroid variables, and total leukocyte counts were determined in whole blood at each time point. Body weight and rectal temperature were recorded at -24, 9.75, and 48 h. Transportation decreased measures of protein metabolism in the plasma, including albumin (P = 0.002), globulin (P < 0.001), urea (P = 0.006), and total protein (P < 0.001), and increased creatine kinase (P < 0.001). The energy substrate beta-hydroxybutyrate was not changed (P = 0.27). Acute phase proteins haptoglobin and fibrinogen were both decreased (P < 0.001), whereas total leukocyte counts were elevated (P = 0.002). Circulating steroid concentrations were altered, because a classical acute increase in plasma cortisol was observed with the onset of transit (P < 0.001), in association with a decrease in dehydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.07), resulting in a profound increase in cortisol:dehydroepiandrosterone ratio (P < 0.001). Plasma testosterone was decreased, whereas plasma progesterone was increased (P < 0.001) in association with the increase in cortisol (P < 0.001). There was also an effect of breed for all variables except plasma urea, creatine kinase, and testosterone, perhaps indicating that a genetic component contributed to the physiological response to transportation stress, although without any clear trend. Taken together, this profile of physiological variables in the circulation of transportation-stressed bulls may aid in the future detection of disease-susceptible cattle after transportation. Further research to validate these potential biomarkers is necessary.

Impact of oral meloxicam on circulating physiological biomarkers of stress and inflammation in beef steers after long-distance transportation1

“…The observed weight loss in this study is consistent with previous reports in the literature. However, the calves in our study showed an 8% loss in BW where as Arthington et al (2003) reported a 2 to 3% loss in BW after a 3-h transportation event and Buckham Sporer et al (2008) reported shrinkage of 10% in calves (approximately 230 kg) transported for over 9 h. This supports the hypothesis that percentage of weight loss during transportation is likely associated with the duration of the transportation event as was previously suggested (Cernicchiaro et al, 2012).…”

“…A 133% increase in fibrinogen was reported in a study with 32 calves that were transported for 3 h (Arthington et al, 2003). Conversely, a 28% reduction in fibrinogen over 48 h after transportation was reported in a study involving 36 calves transported for 9 h (Buckham-Sporer et al, 2008). Therefore the usefulness of fibrinogen as a biomarker of inflammation after transportation requires further investigation.…”

Qualitative behavioural assessment and quantitative physiological measurement of cattle naïve and habituated to road transport

“…It is likely that because the cortisol response was only short-term there was not a decrease in b-hydroxyl-butyrate. Changes in b-hydroxyl-butyrate are usually associated with longer-term nutritional stressors in cattle (Shaw and Tume 1992); however, a previous study with bulls found no effect of transportation stress on b-hydroxyl-butyrate, although there was an acute increase in plasma cortisol (Buckham Sporer et al 2008).…”

Acute Phase Protein Response during Road Transportation and Lairage at a Slaughterhouse in Feedlot Beef Cattle

“…Earley and O'Riordan [9] had found an unchanged concentration of haptoglobin following transportation, while the plasma fibrinogen concentrations were significantly reduced. Buckham Sporer et al [5] observed a reduction of haptoglobin and fibrinogen posttransportation. No effect of slaughterhouse on APPs has been reported.…”