THE EFFECT OF ASSEMBLY AND TRANSIT STRESSORS ON PLASMA-FIBRINOGEN CONCENTRATION OF BEEF-CALVES

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (1) , 35-41
Abstract
Plasma fibrinogen concentration was measured in beef calves at various points within the system presently used to assemble, market and transport calves from 1 production point to another to determine the effect of the stresses encountered. A short haul of 160 km immediately after weaning did not significantly elevate fibrinogen concentration above the pretransit values. Yearling steers transported 400 km and confined in unfamiliar surroundings for 15 h did have an elevated (P < 0.01) concentration of fibrinogen, but this increase was not significantly different from that of steers which were confined but not transported. Thus confinement may be a significant portion of the stress associated with transit. The change in plasma fibrinogen concentration during assembly and transit was dependent on the farm from which the calves originated. The magnitude of the change in fibrinogen concentration as a result of assembly and transit varied between the years studied. In 1 yr pretransit assembly for 10 days resulted in a higher fibrinogen concentration before and after transit than assembly for 4 days, but no difference was noted between the 2 groups in the 2nd yr. Bovine plasma fibrinogen concentration does increase in response to the stresses associated with assembly and transit. The stress of fasting and housing in unfamiliar surroundings also increase bovine plasma fibrinogen concentration and are present in the assembly and transit system. These 2 stresses may account for a majority of the stress associated with marketing and transit. The response of beef calves to the marketing and transit system varied between years.