Abstract
An allostatic modulator (AM) composed of ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride was dissolved in the drinking water of three groups of young bulls (n = 7) and administered to them for 7 d after 20.42 h of transport (Control (C) = 0 g/head/d, G2 = 30 g/head/d, G3 = 60 g/head/d). The effects of the AM on behavior and blood cellular and biochemical components were measured. G3 animals spent less time lying and more time standing than C animals (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively), indicating less fatigue. G3 bulls presented a lower frequency of agonistic interactions than those in the G2 group (P = 0.001), suggesting a possible effect on aggression that warrants further evaluation. The AM affected creatinine kinase (CK) activity in the G2 group compared to the C group (P = 0.04), suggesting an effect of AM components that has not been previously reported. Cortisol levels remained unaffected by AM supplementation (P = 0.55). These preliminary findings suggest an effect of supplementing cattle with an AM after long-haul transport.
Highlights
Animal welfare concerns associated with transport stress include limited access to feed and water, variable climatic conditions, noise, vibrations, poor handling and social stress.[1,2,3,4] Physiological effects include hypoglycemia, dehydration, energy depletion, protein degradation, electrolyte imbalance and stress response activation.[5, 6]Allostasis is the readjustment of requirements in response to stress to maintain an optimal physiological state.[7]
Improvements have been observed recently in blood indicators and meat color parameters in 18- to 20-month-old bulls fed with 10 g/head/d of an allostatic modulator (AM) composed of acetylsalicylic acid, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for 30 d preslaughter.[16]
Despite the presence of cofounding factors, such as possible behavioral differences between sampling and nonsampling days, which were not estimated due to the observational methodology that we were able to perform under commercial conditions, these results suggest an effect of the allostatic modulator on behavior and physiology that needs to be further evaluated in better controlled conditions
Summary
Animal welfare concerns associated with transport stress include limited access to feed and water, variable climatic conditions, noise, vibrations, poor handling and social stress.[1,2,3,4] Physiological effects include hypoglycemia, dehydration, energy depletion, protein degradation, electrolyte imbalance and stress response activation.[5, 6]. Allostasis is the readjustment of requirements in response to stress to maintain an optimal physiological state.[7] An allostatic modulator (AM) regulates the physiological stress response to maintain allostasis.[8] Several AM substances have been developed, such as dopaminergic antagonists[9] and β-adrenergic receptor blockers.[10] In addition, vitamins,[11,12,13] microelements,[14,15] and amino acids[13] have been tested. Improvements have been observed recently in blood indicators and meat color parameters in 18- to 20-month-old bulls fed with 10 g/head/d of an AM composed of acetylsalicylic acid, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for 30 d preslaughter.[16]
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