AN IMMUNOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE EVALUATION OF WELFARE IN HOLSTEIN-FRISIAN CATTLE

Clinical immunological and haematological parameters, along with clini cal conditions and growth rate, were studied in 413 male Holstein Fris ian calves introduced into a large centre for genetic selection in dif ferent seasons of the year. Abnormalities were revealed by the laborat ory tests in the great majority of calves after transportation stress, a general tendency to the restoration of physiological values being e vident thereafter. Laboratory parameters were highly correlated with d isease conditions: with three exceptions only, animals showed altered laboratory parameters some days before the occurrence of clinical symp toms. Eighteen per cent of animals showed altered laboratory parameter s with no obvious clinical signs of disease; yet they experienced a re duced weight gain. Results suggest that clinical immunological and hae matological parameters could be the foundation of a new, large-scale, robust approach to the control of welfare in cattle, which should be i ntegrated preferably by a further range of records and measures.