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U. S. Department of Agriculture, College Station, TX 77840 and University of Nebraska, North Platte 69101
Abstract
Alkaline phosphatase, Cortisol, CPK, LDH, SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, total protein, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, inorganic phosphous, potassium and zinc levels in the serum, body temperature and weight changes were determined on 50 calves which had been weaned and trucked for 12 hr immediately following weaning. Measurements were made at 0, .5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16 days after trucking. Comparisons of the same blood parameters were made with 50 calves weaned at the same time but not trucked and with a third group of 50 calves that were weaned 2 weeks prior to the test to determine the effect of weaning and of trucking. Each primary group was subdivided into 10 groups of five animals. One subgroup from each primary group was handled and bled only once. This was done to determine the "chute" or "handling" effects. Trucking the calves produced a definite increase in Cortisol level while weaning produced a small increase. The Cortisol level returned to the initial level within 2 days in the weaned calves and within 4 to 7 days in the weaned and trucked calves. In calves bled each time the Cortisol level gradually decreased indicating acclimation to handling. Weight gains were least in the weaned group and were further decreased by trucking. Handling decreased weight gain in all groups, but the decrease was greater in the weaned and weaned trucked groups. Weaning slightly increased CPK, LDH, SGOT and SGPT levels which were further increased by handling. Trucking had no effect on those determinations. No significant changes were observed in any of the other measurements made. These changes indicate that transporting and handling calves the first 4 to 7 days after weaning could be a critical factor in the development of the shipping fever complex. During this period, the calves appear to be more susceptible to invasion by the causative agents.
1 Veterinary Toxicology and Entomology Research Laboratory, Science and Education Administration-Federal Research.
2 University of Nebraska, North Platte Station.
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