Hormonal and physiological effects of a15 hour road journey in sheep: Comparison with the responses to loading, handling and penning in the absence of transport

摘要: A controlled study was carried out to investigate the physiological effects of road transport on sheep. Animals (n=10, body weight 38.9+/-1.3 kg), previously with catheters in their jugular veins, were rounded up and loaded onto a vehicle where they wereheld communal pen eight other lambs. Blood samples taken at 30 min intervals during next 15 h whilethe remained stationary or driven distance 548 miles (876 km). Measurements made plasma concentrations cortisol, prolactin, creatine phosphokinase lactate dehydrogenase isozymes also osmolality, haematocrit weight; heart rate recorded one animal. Loading start driving produced large increases cortisol prolactin concentrations. Heart increased whereas osmolality decreased. The major changes hormone release occurred first 3 period while, remaining 12 h, stimulatory effect present but small. Body loss similar under both conditions.