Abstract
The effects of offering water (W) or an electrolyte solution (E) or neither (control; C) on the manifestation of transportation stress were examined in sixty-five 550-kg crossbred bulls. Following a 4-h (150-km) transport treatment serum electrolytes as well as live animal, carcass, and rumen content weights were monitored on all animals. In addition, intravenous injections of sodium thiocyanate and T-1824 dyes were used to examine extracellular (ECF) and plasma (PV) volumes in 10 (4 control, 3 water, and 3 electrolyte treatment) of the animals. The lowest carcass yield occurred in bulls denied access to both water and electrolytes during transport and the following (18 h) in lairage. Hot carcass yield (g kg−1 of final farm wt) for the C, E and W groups were 577.9 (57.8%) ± 3.8a, 597.5 (59.8%) ± 4.1b, and 589.4 (58.9%) ± 3.8b, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). The control (C) animals also had the lowest ECF volume (92.5, 127.9, and 142.3 liters for C, E and W, respectively). The effectiveness of water and electrolytes in reducing weight loss and improving carcass yield appeared to be explained to a large extent by the differential retention of fluid between the extra and intracellular body fluid compartments. Key words: Cattle, transport stress, electrolytes, fluid volumes
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