5 Effect of rest stop on welfare indicators of conditioned and non-conditioned ranch-direct or auction-market-sourced beef cattle, transported by road

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an 8h rest stop after 36 h of road transport on physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare in 7–8-mo-old conditioned and non-conditioned beef calves, sourced from either a ranch or an auction market. Three hundred and twenty weaned calves (245 ± 35.7 kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design: conditioning, conditioned (C) or non-conditioned (N); source, ranch direct (R) or auction market (A); and rest, 0 (R0) or 8 (R8) h. After resting, animals were transported for an additional 4 h. A subset of 12 animals/treatment were sampled for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations prior to the first loading (L1); after 36 h of transport; prior to and after the additional 4 h of transport, on the day of arrival (0); and 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, and 28 d after the 4h transport. Daily standing % and dry matter intake (DMI) were assessed for 3 d after transport. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Fixed effects included conditioning, source, and time (nested in rest), while random effects were animal and pen. At L1, mean concentrations of NEFA, SAA and CK were greater (P < 0.05) for N-R0 than C-R0 and for N-R8 than C-R8. The N and R groups had greater (P < 0.05) standing % than the C and A groups, respectively. On d 0 and 1, the C-R0 and C-R8 groups had greater (P < 0.05) DMI than the N-R0 and N-R8 groups, respectively. Overall, physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare were greater in conditioned than non-conditioned calves, while fewer differences were observed between ranch and auction market calves, as well as rested or unrested calves.

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313 Effects of transport time and rest stop duration on welfare indicators of beef cattle travelling by road

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 9-10

Author(s):

Daniela M Melendez ◽

Sonia Marti ◽

Desiree Gellatly ◽

Wiolene Nordi ◽

Derek Haley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Random Effect ◽

Rest Period ◽

Transport Time ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Behavioral Indicators ◽

Physiological Indicators ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Rest Periods ◽

Resting Period

Abstract Forthcoming revisions to Canadian Transport regulations indicate un-weaned and weaned calves can be transported a maximum of 12 and 36 h, respectively, before an 8 h rest is required. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of rest duration after 12 and 36 h of transport on physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare in 7–8 mo old beef calves. Three hundred and twenty weaned calves (258 ± 23.9 kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 4 factorial design: 12 and 36 h of transport; and 0 (R0), 4 (R4), 8 (R8), and 12 (R12) h of rest. After the resting period animals were transported for an additional 4 h. A subset of 12 animals/treatment were sampled for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), haptoglobin and lactate concentrations prior to, and after the first and the 4 h transport, and 7 h, 2 and 28 d after the 4 h transport. Standing and lying behavior was assessed for 14 d after transport. Data was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, where transport, and time nested within rest period were fixed effects and animal was a random effect. NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in 12-R4 than 12-R8 and 12-R12 calves, while 36-R0 calves had greater (P ≤ 0.05) NEFA concentrations than 36-R4, 36-R8 and 36-R12 calves after the 4 h transport. Haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in 36 than 12 h calves. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed for lactate. The day after transport, 36-R8 calves spent more (P < 0.01) time lying than 12-R8 calves. Overall, physiological indicators were greater in calves transported for 36 than 12 h, while no differences were observed between rest stops with the exception of NEFA, where overall concentrations were greater after shorter than longer rest periods.

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Association between Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentration and Inflammation Markers in Serum during the Peripartum Period in Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051241 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1241

Author(s):

Hiroaki Okawa ◽

Danielle Monniaux ◽

Chihiro Mizokami ◽

Atsushi Fujikura ◽

Toshihiro Takano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vaginal Discharge ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Hormone Concentration ◽

Inflammation Markers ◽

Somatic Cell Counts ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Peripartum Period

The relationships between changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and various traits, including milk somatic cell counts (SCC), were evaluated. Blood samples were collected from 43 Holstein cows 14 days before (D-14) and 10 (D10) and 28 days after (D28) parturition, and vaginal discharge score (VDS) and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) percentages were assessed in endometrial samples at D28. Cows were separated into four quartiles (Q1–Q4) based on changes in AMH concentration during the peripartum period (AMH ratio: D28/D-14). Correlations between AMH ratio and each parameter were evaluated and classified into high-AMH (Q4, 1.83 ± 0.12, n = 11) and low-AMH (Q1, 0.83 ± 0.05, n = 11) groups. The AMH ratio was positively correlated with magnesium and non-esterified fatty acids levels, and the albumin/globulin ratio at D10 and D28, but negatively correlated with serum amyloid A (SAA) at D10. SAA and γ-globulin levels were significantly higher in the low-AMH group at D28. There was no significant difference in VDS, PMNL percentage, and milk SCC between the two groups. The decreasing AMH ratio from the prepartum to the postpartum period corresponds to high inflammation biomarker levels. Whether it subsequently affects the reproductive prognosis of postpartum cows needs further investigations.

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Relationship between some variables of protein profile and indicators of lipomobilization in dairy cows after calving

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.7482/0003-9438-57-019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Csilla Tóthová ◽

Oskar Nagy ◽

Gabriel Kováč

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Acute Phase Proteins ◽

Protein Profile ◽

Total Proteins ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Altered Lipid Metabolism ◽

Altered Lipid

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of the main indicators of lipomobilization and selected variables of protein profile in dairy cows after calving, including immunoglobulins and acute phase proteins, as well as to evaluate the relationships between the altered lipid metabolism and changes in protein profile. Into the evaluation we included 54 clinically healthy dairy cows of a Slovak spotted breed, low-land black spotted breed and their crossbreeds in the period of 1-2 weeks after parturition. Blood samples were analysed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA, mmol/l), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, mmol/l), total proteins (TP, g/l), albumin (Alb, g/l), immunoglobulin G (IgG, g/l), haptoglobin (Hp, g/l) and serum amyloid A (SAA, mg/l). In cows with concentrations of NEFA above 0.35 mmol/l (n=20) we found significantly lower mean serum concentrations of total proteins, albumin and IgG than in cows with serum NEFA concentrations below 0.35 mmol/l (n=34) (P<0.001). On the other hand, cows with higher values of NEFA showed significantly higher mean concentrations of BHB, Hp and SAA (P<0.001). The concentrations of NEFA significantly negatively correlated with the values of TP (P<0.001), albumin (P<0.01) and IgG (P<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of NEFA and BHB, Hp, as well as SAA (P<0.001). Similar correlations were also found between the values of BHB and the variables of protein profile except for albumin. This study indicates strong relationships between NEFA and selected variables of protein profile in cows after parturition.

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Effect of a single dose of subcutaneous meloxicam before knife castration alone or combined with hot-iron branding on scrotal healing, inflammatory response, and behaviour in 2-mo-old beef calves over 42 d post procedure

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2018-0016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 179-190

Author(s):

S. Marti ◽

D.M. Meléndez ◽

E.A. Pajor ◽

D. Moya ◽

D. Gellatly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Response ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Blood Cell Count ◽

Sham Control ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Scrotal Circumference ◽

Post Procedure ◽

Bull Calves ◽

Improve Wound Healing

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single subcutaneous injection of meloxicam on scrotal healing, inflammatory response, and behaviour in castrated or castrated and branded beef calves for 42 d post procedure. Seventy-two 2-mo-old Angus crossbred bull calves were used to assess the effects of procedure (Trt): (1) sham control, (2) knife castration, and (3) knife castration and hot-iron branding; and pain mitigation (Med): (1) nonmedicated and (2) medicated with meloxicam according to a 3 × 2 factorial design. Body weight, scrotal circumference (SC), and healing scores were collected weekly until day 42. Blood samples were collected weekly until day 42 to assess haptoglobin, serum amyloid-A, and complete blood cell count. Hair was collected on day −1 and day 42 to assess cortisol concentrations. Lying and standing behaviour were recorded for 42 d, whereas pain-related behaviours were recorded on days 7, 15, 22, 29, and 34 post procedure. The inflammatory response (SC) and duration of standing was greater (P < 0.05) in calves castrated and branded than those only castrated. However, meloxicam did not reduce inflammation or improve wound healing in either castrated or castrated and branded calves.

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Acute Phase Proteins and their Relation to Energy Metabolites in Dairy Cows during the Pre- and Postpartal Period

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb200978030441 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 78 (3) ◽

pp. 441-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gabriel Kováč ◽

Csilla Tóthová ◽

Oskar Nagy ◽

Herbert Seidel ◽

Jana Konvičná

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Energy Metabolism ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Acute Phase Response ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Acute Phase Proteins ◽

Reproduction Cycle ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids

The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected acute phase proteins – haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), and selected variables of energy metabolism in blood serum of dairy cows during different stages of the pre- and postpartal period. The analyses were performed in dairy cows of the Slovak spotted breed and its crossbreeds (n = 57). The cows were divided into 9 groups according to the evaluated part of reproduction cycle – from 4 weeks before parturition to 10 weeks after parturition. Significant differences were found in mean Hp and SAA concentrations during the monitored period (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cows during the early postparturient period had significantly higher Hp and SAA concentrations compared to cows in later postparturient period (P < 0.05). Significant differences throughout the period under study was found also in means of total cholesterol (P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.001), and non-esterified fatty acids (P < 0.001). Concentrations of Hp during this period were positively correlated with SAA (R = 0.919; P < 0.001). Moreover, significant correlations were found between Hp and non-esterified fatty acids, Hp and β-hydroxybutyrate, as well as between SAA and non-esterified fatty acids. Our results indicate that the acute phase response occurs in cows around parturition, and suggest that there are relationships between mediators of immune response and several indices of energy metabolism. Our results also suggest that in cows with higher concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, indicating a certain degree of lipid mobilisation, higher values of acute phase proteins may be found.

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Response of salivary haptoglobin and serum amyloid A to social isolation and short road transport stress in pigs

Research in Veterinary Science ◽

10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.03.007 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 298-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

L. Soler ◽

A. Gutiérrez ◽

D. Escribano ◽

M. Fuentes ◽

J.J. Cerón

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Road Transport ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Transport Stress

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Effects of conditioning, source, and rest on indicators of stress in beef cattle transported by road

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244854 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244854

Author(s):

Daniela M. Meléndez ◽

Sonia Marti ◽

Derek B. Haley ◽

Timothy D. Schwinghamer ◽

Karen S. Schwartzkopf-Genswein

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Management Practice ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Long Distance ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Auction Market ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Long Distance Transport ◽

The Mean ◽

Distance Transport

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the welfare of farm animals, especially during transportation. The Canadian transport regulations state that weaned cattle require an 8 h rest after 36 h of transport. There are, however, only a few studies that assess the effect of rest on the welfare of beef cattle. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of conditioning, source and rest on indicators of welfare in 7-8-month-old beef calves during long-distance transport. Treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design where the main factors were conditioning: conditioned (C; n = 160) or non-conditioned (N; n = 160); source: auction market (A; n = 160) or ranch direct (R; n = 160); and rest: 0 h (0 h; n = 160) or 8 h (8 h; n = 160). Means of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum amyloid-A, haptoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), and percentage of time standing from N calves were greater than C calves (all p ≤ 0.05). Means of percentage of time standing and CK of R calves were greater than A calves (both p ≤ 0.05). The mean of NEFA of 0 h calves was greater than the 8 h calves (p < 0.01), while the percentage of time standing of 0 h calves was less than 8 h calves (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences between means of NEFA and standing percentage, were observed between 0 h and 8h calves. Few and inconsistent indicators of reduced welfare were observed between auction market and ranch direct calves, while non-conditioning was associated with greater physiological and behavioural indicators of reduced welfare. Based on these results, conditioning should be implemented as a management practice to improve the welfare of transported calves.

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