Stress responses in lambs docked and castrated surgically or by the application of rubber rings

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Abstract
A comparative study has been made in lambs 3 to 6 weeks of age of the behavioral responses and changes in plasma immunoreactive .beta.-endorphin (ir .beta.-endorphin) and cortisol after docking or docking plus castration by the application of rubber rings or by surgery. The use of rubber rings on lambs at this age was characterized by very agitated behavior indicative of considerable distress for a period of up to 1 h. In contrast, surgery was accompanied by some post-operative shock exhibited by reduced exploratory and social behavior, at least in the lambs exposed to docking plus castration. In the latter group there were highly significant increases in both plasma ir .beta.-endorphin and cortisol concentrations that may be consistent with the induction of stress-induced analgesia. We conclude that surgery caused less distress than the rubber rings, and is therefore preferable for docking and castration of lambs 3 to 6 weeks of age.