Matricaria chamomilla CH12 decreases handling stress in Nelore calves.
Matricaria chamomilla CH12 is a phytotherapeutic or homeopathic product, which has been used to reduce stress. Here, we examined its effect on preventing handling stress in bovines. Sixty Nelore calves were randomly distributed into two equal groups. One group was administered Matricaria chamomilla CH12 in diet and the other the 'control' was not. Animals in both groups were maintained unstressed for 30 days to adjust to the feeding system and pasture, and were then stressed by constraint on the 31th, 38th, 45th and 60th experimental days. Blood samples were taken on these days after animals had been immobilization in a trunk contention for 5 min. Stress was followed by analyzing serum cortisol levels. These peaked on the 45th day and then decreased, but not to baseline, on the 60th day. On the 45th day cortisol levels were significantly lower in animals fed Matricaria chamomilla CH12, suggesting that this product reduces stress. These effects may be a consequence of its inhibiting cortisol production and its calming and anxiolytic effects.
Reis
Luis Souza Lima de Souza
LS
Departamento de Pos-graduacao, Universidade do Oeste Paulista, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP 19067-175, Brazil. guga@femanet.com.br
Pardo
Paulo Eduardo
PE
Oba
Eunice
E
Kronka
Sergio do Nascimento
Sdo N
Frazatti-Gallina
Neuza Maria
NM
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004032:Diet; D031168:Matricaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D028321:Plant Preparations