Reactions of suckled calves to short haul transport by road. Effects on plasma cortisol, biochemical markers, haematology, mineral concentrations andheart rate

Reactions of suckled calves to short haul transport by road. Effects on pla sma cortisol, biochemical markers, haematology, mineral concentrations and heart rate Blood samples and body temperature measurements were taken from eight female calves from a suckler herd before and after transport, and on the following day. Long-term heart rate recording was also used. Heart rate s increased on loading and at the start of transport, compared with the ini tial values and with those recorded 24h after transporting. Changes in the value of other variables occurred. in both directions and varied in degree dependent on the individual. Mean values of body temperature, Hb, Hk, O(2)C AP, O2CONT, O(2)SAT, metHb, creatinine, pH, pCO(2), total protein and plasm a cortisol were greater after transport and those of MCHC, COHb, HCO3, BE, albumin, urea, Ca, Mg, P, and Fe were lower than the initial values before transport. Significant differences were only observed in a few cases with r espect to body temperature and P concentration. On the following day, the m ean values of MCHC, pH, PCO2, HHb, HCO3, HHb, COHb, BE, metHb and Ca were g reater and the body temperature and concentrations of Hb, Hk, O(2)CAP, O(2) Cont, O(2)SAT, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, Mg, P, Fe, and pla sma cortisol were lower than the initial values before transport. The mean values of creatinine and Fe were statistically different in a few animals. Correlations of Hb, Hk, MCHC, creatinine and Fe between the initial values and those observed after transport indicated an individual animal specifici ty of these parameters. The results indicate the significance of the events and the effects on the animals as a result of transport together with the temporal relationship of the response of the animals during and after trans port and the marked individual animal variability in the responses.