EFFECT OF CASTRATION ON BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES OF STRESS IN
YOUNG CAVLES
J. Morrow-Tesch and B. Jones, USDA-ARS Livestock Behavior Research Unit,
W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Castration may be performed shortly after birth in cattle. Therefore, it
is important to understand how different methods of castration may affect
the newborn's activity level and response to such a management stressor.
One to three day old beef calves were randomly assigned to one of three
treatments: surgical castration (n=14), banding (n=14) and control (n=14).
Calves were restrained for a similar length of time in all three treatments.
Blood samples were collected to measure total white blood cell numbers,
neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and cortisol, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein,
haptoglobin, and immunoglobulin G concentrations. Behavior was continuously
video recorded for 68 hr. following castration. A treatment by day interaction
was seen for the time spent lying (P < .001), standing (P < .001),
nursing (P < .001) and performance of movement behaviors (P = .011).
A treatment by sample effect was also identified for cortisol concentration
(P = .006) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P < .01). These data
suggest that banding may have a more immediate effect on time spent nursing,
however, after the first 24 hr. no difference was observed between treatments.
Surgically castrated calves may display a delayed response as indicated
by an increase in time spent lying on day 3.