PSIII-A-5 Blood Catecholamine Profiling of Transportation Stress in Goats Previously Habituated to Livestock Trailer

Abstract

Abstract Long distance transportation can cause significant physiological changes in goats that can impact their wellbeing. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of habituation to livestock trailer on plasma catecholamine profile in goats transported for long periods. A total of 168 intact male Spanish goats were separated into two treatment (TRT) groups and maintained on two different paddocks in a split-plot design. Concentrate supplement was fed to one group inside two livestock trailers (5.0 × 2.3 m each; habituated group, H), while the other group received the concentrate supplement, but not inside the trailers (non-habituated, NH). After 4 weeks of habituation period, goats were subjected to a 10-hour transportation stress in 4 replicates (n = 21 goats/replicate/TRT). Blood samples were collected prior to loading (Preload), 20 min after loading (0 h), and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h of transportation (Time) for catecholamine analysis using a sensitive, high-throughput GC-MS/MS method. Habituation did not have any significant effect on dopamine, norepinephrine, and normetanephrine concentrations, while there was a tendency for TRT effect (P < 0.1) on epinephrine, tyramine, and metanephrine concentrations. Phenyethylamine and 5-methoxytryptamine concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the H group compared to the NH group, which may enhance emotional wellbeing and energy levels. While both dopamine and 5-methoxytryptamine concentrations decreased (P < 0.05) with transportation time, dopamine concentrations increased again at 10 h. Plasma metanephrine concentrations were 0.86, 0.85, 4.22, 3.68, 2.30, 2.05, 2.14 (SEM = 0.327) nM, respectively at Preload, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h, indicating that stress peaked during the initial hours and decreased thereafter. Interaction effects were not significant. Habituation to trailer may be beneficial in mood and energy stabilization in goats during long-distance transportation. Metanephrine concentrations may more accurately reflect stress levels in goats.