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Evaluation of long‐haul shipping stress for beef calves transported from Hawaii to the contiguous United States (703.7)
Author(s) -
Sy Tracy,
Richards Tim,
Lee C.,
Onaga Jonathan,
Coetzee Johann,
Stock Matt,
Stokes Ashley
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.703.7
Subject(s) - hematocrit , zoology , white blood cell , biology , medicine , endocrinology
Objectives of this study were to examine physiological parameters of weaned calves being shipped to determine response to long‐haul shipping; also, to determine the animals’ ability to adapt to the stress of shipment. Two shipments of weaned, Angus and Charolaise, female calves (n=48) were transported to Washington or California. Each shipment, the calves were divided and placed into two separate, bi‐level, four‐compartment, custom cowtainers. Vaginal temperatures (T°) were taken every minute. Blood was collected prior to shipment (P), upon arrival (A), and 6 days post‐arrival (PA). Blood work parameters (including substance‐P (SP), hematocrit % (H), bands (B), and white blood cell (WBC) numbers and differentials) were also used to determine physiological status of the animals. Overall T° values did not change significantly. T° only increased above normal range during insertion of temperature sensor, loading, unloading, trucking, and at Kawaihae, Hawaii. SP values showed a significant increase from P to A (p<0.001) and decrease back to normal from A to PA (p<0.001). SP values had no significant change from P to PA (p=0.45). WBC and B showed no significant differences for any time points. HCT significantly decreased from P to A and from P to PA (p<0.001). HCT values stayed within normal range for all stages. The study showed some physiological changes with shipping, however, animals quickly returned to a homeostatic physiological state. Grant Funding Source : Supported by National Cattlemen's Beef Association