The Effect of the Klim Feed Additive on Cortisol Levels in Cows During Stress

Abstract

Currently, intensive animal breeding techniques are actively applied. It is absolutely impossible to avoid a technology stress under such conditions. Therefore, development of methods of correction of animal stress levels (especially during critical periods of animal life) is crucial.The objectiveof this research is to determine the effect of the Klim feed additive based on organic acids on cortisol levels during different technological periods.In the course of this research, 2 groups of cows (n=10 heads) were selected in one of livestock enterprises of the Leningrad region. Each cow had an average productivity, age of 3.5 to 4 years and second pregnancy; each cow was apparently healthy. By the moment of 21 days before the estimated calving date, each cow from the experimental group has been receiving the Klim feed additive mixed with a feed (dosage of 10 g per head: 5 g of active substance and 5 g of vanilla filling) daily for 50 days (the drug has been administered in an individual manner). Before administering the drug, each animal has undergone a clinical examination, blood sample of each animal has been collected for further research. No valid difference between parameters of the experimental and control groups has been identified at the moment of the research initial phase.Research results. One day after calving, in order to determine the stress level, the level of cortisol in blood has been identified for cows from the experimental and control groups. The research results prove that the level of cortisol in blood of the cows from the group that received the Klim feed additive was 62.72 ± 12.1 nmol/l, and the level of cortisol in blood of the cows from the control group was 96.62 ± 19.3 nmol/l. Such cortisol level shows that the animals from the control group have a high level of stress, which ultimately can result in negative effect on productivity and clinical status of these cows. Meanwhile, the cortisol level of the cows from the experimental group did not exceed standard limit values (20 – 80 nmol/l) – this verifies our assumption that the Klim feed additive relieves the manifestations of stress at early stage. One day after the rearrangement of cows (25 days after calving), the level of cortisol in blood of the animals from both groups has been identified. The level for the cows from the experimental group was 36.3 ± 8.4 nmol/l, the level for the cows from the control group was 50.18±11.7 nmol/l – this proves that these cows have a higher level of stress.In view of the above, it has been identified that the Klim feed additive had a positive effect on the adaptation capabilities of animals during stressful situations (pregnancy period and change of environment (rearrangement)).