Comparison of hot-iron and freeze branding on cortisol levels and pain sensitivity in beef cattle
Open accessAbstract
Thirty yearling (450–500 kg) heifers of mixed breeds (Hereford, Charolais, Angus and Shorthorn) were habituated to handling over a 14 ± 2 d period before branding and were fitted non-surgically with jugular catheters 1 before branding. On the day of branding, heifers were assigned to hot-iron brand (H), freeze brand (F), or control (C) treatments according to a predetermined randomized branding order (n = 10 per treatment). Blood samples were obtained at 20 and 0 min before and 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 min after application of branding treatments. To detect stress-induced analgesia, each animal's sensitivity to pain was assessed by measuring the time it took them to respond to a thermal energy source (laser) applied to their hind legs. Foot-lift latencies were obtained 0, 10, 20, 60 and 120 min after the treatments were imposed. Sensitivity to touch also was assessed 1 and 7 d after branding by placing pressure on the brand site and measuring the amount of movement by the animals. Both H and F heifers had higher mean plasma cortisol concentrations than C animals 20 and 40 min after branding (P < 0.05). However, hot branding was found to cause a more pronounced cortisol response than freeze branding at 40 min (P < 0.05). No treatment differences in foot-lift latencies or sensitivity to touch were observed. Both branding methods cause discomfort in cattle; however, hot branding appears to cause a greater acute response than freeze branding. Key words: Branding, cattle, cortisol, stress-induced analgesia
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In calves, cortisol can return to normal levels within 80 min after a stressful event that increases cortisol by 300%.
“For example, in calves, cortisol can return to normal levels within 80 min after a stressful event that increases cortisol by 300% (38).”
From Effect of source and journey on physiological variables in calves transported by road and ferry between Ireland and the Netherlands (2023) · cites this paper as [38]
The Cortisol results report a marked rise after branding and no treatment differences beyond 40 minutes; blood was also sampled at 80 minutes. But the paper studied yearling heifers, not calves, and the cited passages do not establish either a 300% increase or a return to normal specifically within 80 minutes. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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- Authors
- Schwartzkopf-Genswein, K. S., Stookey, J. M., Passillé, A. M. D., & Rushen, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (CA)
- Venue
- Canadian Journal of Animal Science
- Publisher
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Published
- 1997-09-01
- Volume
- 77
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 369-374
- ISSN
- 0008-3984 (ISSN-L)
- 1918-1825
- OpenAlex
- W2086472487
- Cited by
- 62
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 2.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Canadian Journal of Animal Science (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Ministry of Agriculture - Saskatchewan
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Keywords
- freeze branding, beef cattle, heifers, plasma cortisol, stress-induced analgesia, pain sensitivity, thermal pain threshold, tactile sensitivity, animal welfare, handling stress
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