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Endocrine Responses of Stress Susceptible and Stress Resistant Swine to Environmental Stressors¹

Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

Stress susceptible Poland China and stress resistant Chester White gilts were observed for endocrine and metabolic responses to different environmental conditions. Plasma ACTH levels were not influenced by exposure to a 4 C, 46% R.H. environment, but 21 C, 97% R.H. and 32 C, 66% R.H. induced increased plasma ACTH levels in both the stress susceptible and stress resistant animals as compared to 21 C, 61% R.H. (control environment). Plasma corticoid levels were depressed in both breed groups of animals exposed to all stressful environments with the greatest depression noted when the animals were exposed to the high temperature-moderate humidity environment. Plasma growth hormone levels were severely depressed among the stress susceptible animals exposed to both the cold temperature-low humidity and the moderate temperature-high humidity environments and were significantly increased among the stress resistant animals exposed to the high temperature conditions. Plasma glucose was increased among the animals exposed to the low temperature conditions. Free fatty acid levels were variable among the stress resistant animals exposed to the treatment conditions but were increased among the stress susceptible pigs in response to all of the treatment environments.

¹ Journal Paper No. 4587 of the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal Sciences.