Relationship between different livestock managements and stress response in dairy ewes

Vincenzo Carcangiu,Giuseppe Piccione,Sebastiano Luridiana,Pier Paolo Bini,Francesca Arfuso,Maria Rizzo,Claudia Giannetto

doi:10.5194/aab-61-37-2018

Vincenzo Carcangiu, Giuseppe Piccione + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-61-37-2018

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Abstract

Abstract. The gradual diffusion of intensive and semi-intensive production systems, especially in dairy sheep breeds, has led to the growing concern of consumers about the life conditions of farmed animals. Space allowance and structures of sheep houses are described as the main potential sources of discomfort for housed flocks, together with inappropriate milking procedures and human–animal interactions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the structure relative to milking room could represent a stressor in Sarda dairy ewes. Animals were divided into two groups according to their farm of origin. Group A (n=40) was from a farm whose milking room was an old warehouse with a waiting area limited and located outdoors and at a different level with respect to the milking room. The passageway of the entrance in the milking room was narrow and perpendicular to the milking positioning so the animal must bend 90∘ to enter in the room. Group B (n=40) was from a farm whose milking room was wide and modern with a large waiting area located at the same level. From all animals blood samples were collected at T0 (2 h before milking procedure at 06:00), at T1 (immediately after the animals entered the milking room, about 08:00) and at T2 (after milking procedure). In addition plasma cortisol and glucose values were evaluated. Statistical analysis showed significant effect of milking room (P<0.001) and of sampling time (P<0.05) on cortisol and glucose levels. The results obtained in the present study suggest that, in addition to milking, the characteristics of the room where this procedure occurs represent stressful stimuli that could influence negatively the productivity and welfare of dairy ewes.

Highlights

Animal welfare has contributed to a better understanding of how animals perceive their social and physical environment, their motivations, and the physiological and behavioural needs, enabling the design of environments to better satisfy these needs (Webster, 2005)
It is important to identify and reduce emotional or physical stress of dairy animals during the milking process in order to increase their productivity and to maintain their health status. In view of such considerations, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the structure relative to milking room could represent a stressor in dairy ewe by measuring plasma cortisol and glucose levels before and after milking procedure
A total of 80 Sarda dairy ewes were selected from 2 farms (Farm A and B) of sheep with a total of 200 animals each located in Sardinia (Italy) at the same altitude (529 m above sea level) and environmental conditions

Summary

Introduction

Animal welfare has contributed to a better understanding of how animals perceive their social and physical environment, their motivations, and the physiological and behavioural needs, enabling the design of environments to better satisfy these needs (Webster, 2005). The central nervous system of livestock (and other mammalian species) evokes physiological responses that result in activation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the sympathoadrenal axis inducing endocrine and metabolic changes (Carcangiu et al, 2008). The responses of these major systems are presumed to have adaptive and homeostatic value during periods of stress. The stress of handling can be reduced by using well-maintained systems and the development of ap-

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