title: Cortisol levels and anxiety-related behaviors in cattle.
abstract: This investigation was conducted to examine the relationship between cortisol levels and anxiety-related behavior in nine Angus/Hereford cows. In a non-stressful pasture setting, measures were taken of rumination, distance from another cow, and body position. In a stressful holding pen situation, measures were taken of vocalizations and resistance to entering a squeeze chute. Cortisol was measured in serum samples. Subjects with high levels of cortisol spent less time ruminating (p=0.007) and vocalized more (p=0.07) than subjects with low levels of cortisol. Regardless of statistical significance, all mean differences were in the predicted direction. Cortisol levels were correlated with time spent ruminating (p=0.004) and later entrance to the squeeze chute (p=0.10). All correlations were also in the predicted direction. These findings provide consistent support for the link between cortisol and anxiety-related behavior in beef cattle, and the findings have theoretical and practical implications.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone