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.
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High disease prevalence might be related to adverse effects of transport on physiology, immunity, and health of calves.
“This high disease prevalence might be related to adverse effects of transport on physiology (Grigor et al., 2001”
From Effects of pretransport diet, transport duration, and type of vehicle on physiological status of young veal calves. (2020) · cites this paper as Buckham Sporer et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Buckham Sporer, K. R., Weber, P. S. D., Burton, J. L., Earley, B., & Crowe, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE)
- University College Dublin (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Earley, B.
- Venue
- Journal of Animal Science
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-06-01
- Volume
- 86
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1325-1334
- ISSN
- 0021-8812 (ISSN-L)
- 1525-3163
- OpenAlex
- W2061419752
- Cited by
- 190
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 15.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Animal Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Keywords
- beef bulls, stress biomarkers, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, plasma protein metabolism, creatine kinase, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acute phase proteins, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, white blood cell count, breed differences, stress vulnerability, respiratory diseases, truck transport, plasma steroids, plasma testosterone, plasma progesterone
- MeSH terms
- Acute-Phase Proteins, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Blood Proteins, Body Weight, Breeding, Cattle, Cattle Diseases, Creatine Kinase, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Disease Susceptibility, Hydrocortisone, Leukocyte Count, Male, Progesterone, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological, Testosterone, Time Factors, Transportation, Biomarkers, Area Under Curve
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