Change of digesta passage rate in dairy cows after different acute stress situations

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Six dairy cows received 3 treatments after morning meal, in a double Latin square design. Treatments were ACTH challenge (SYN), hoof trimming (TRIM) and saline (CTR). Measurements included: plasma cortisol and metabolic profile during the 24 h after treatments; the rate of digesta passage, faecal dry matter and pH. Both acute stress situations vs CTR caused a rapid and similar rise in plasma cortisol (P < 0.001), while plasma glucose increased only in response to TRIM. Plasma concentrations of urea and BHB were increased for several hours after both stress situations. Most importantly, the transit time of digesta was reduced with SYN and TRIM (P < 0.05). Our data demonstrate a reduced forestomach motility during acute stress and confirm a possible negative linkage between stress and gut functions, perhaps independent of diet composition. The mechanism seems linked to increased ACTH or cortisol rather than corticotrophin-releasing factor.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-379
Number of pages3
JournalItalian Journal of Animal Science
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords

  • dairy cows

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Change of digesta passage rate in dairy cows after different acute stress situations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this