Short- and long-term effects of weaning on adrenocortical and functional response of lambs

摘要: Background: Weaning period is considered a crucial event in the management of ewes and lambs, resulting number signifi cant challenges. Although multiple stresses cantly affected adaptative capability terms changes physiological mechanisms insuffi cient knowledges are available to understand adrenocortical functional responses lambs adapt weaning stress. The main objective present study was evaluate effect associated with maternal separation on circulating cortisol concentrations, respiratory rate rectal temperature after fi rst 24 h 2 weeks later cross-bred lambs. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-four were assigned randomly two treatments: 17 (unstressed control group) housed standard farming conditions their mothers (treated submitted from care. Both groups studied sampled before (weaning) baseline (T0), (T1) (T2) (weaning). In treated group showed decreases concentrations (P < 0.001) 0.05) weaning, compared values. effects shown for 0.0001) comparison between lower concentration both than subjects. Treated 0.01) 0.05), values, RR 0.001). No observed RT at different times Negative correlations (r= -0.674; P all measurement periods group. Discussion: Results obtained that ability gland modulate groups. fact, this remained unmodifi ed unstressed animals, but decreased weaned It concluded presence care did not appear infl uence as confi rmed by no T0, T1 T2 general higher values would be agreement results suckling increased heat production, could explain existence negative correlation only evident persistent stress suffered early late phases weaning. These short- long-term perturbations post-weaning has measurable response ndings suggest play an important role providing additional information comparative evaluation related coping small ruminants. Data indicate may perceived stressful aversive stimuli.