Road transportation affects blood hormone levels and lymphocyte glucocorticoid and beta-adrenergic receptor concentrations in calves.
The effect of transportation on blood cortisol and catecholamine levels, lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) concentrations was investigated in calves. Blood samples were collected from 24 six-month-old calves before departure (T(0)), on arrival (T(1)), and at 24 h (T(2)) and one week (T(3)) after arrival. Animals were loaded and transported about 950 km, from the Midy-Pyrenes region (Cahors, France) to the Piedmont region (Italy), over a total of 14 h. Serum cortisol levels and plasma catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Lymphocyte GRs and beta-ARs were measured through binding assays. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in cortisol and catecholamine concentrations was observed immediately after transport. The increase in hormone levels at time T(1) was negatively correlated with lymphocyte GR and beta-AR concentrations. At times T(2) and T(3), blood cortisol and catecholamine levels and lymphocyte GRs and beta-ARs returned to normal. The results demonstrate the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the catecholaminergic system in long-term transported calves. However, these systems returned to normal within 24 h after the end of transport.
Odore
R
R
Division of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Animal Pathology, via Leonardo da Vinci 44, Grugliasco (TO) I-10095, Italy. rosangela.odore@unito.it
D'Angelo
A
A
Badino
P
P
Bellino
C
C
Pagliasso
S
S
Re
G
G
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation
D002395:Catecholamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D006854:Hydrocortisone