The time-shift of stress response of steers accompanying tethering in tie-stalls

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  • HUANG Chen-Yu
    Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
  • YAYOU Ken-ichi
    Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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  • タイストール連続繋留に伴うストレス反応の推移

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Abstract

<p>Although tethering is thought to be a stressor in cows, there is no clarity concerning the time-shift of stress responses. We attempted to clarify the stress response accompanying the restricted period in tie-stalls using behavioural and physiological indicators. Eight Holstein steers were used in this study. The experimental period included a 2-d free barn period (pre) and a 10-d tie-stall period (d1-d10). Individual maintenance behaviours during the 12-d period were recorded from 20:00 to 06:00. Further, blood samples were collected for the serum cortisol concentration assay. Simultaneously, apex-base bipolar lead electrocardiograms were used to measure the autonomic nervous activity of the steers. Heart rate (HR) and parameters of heart rate variability (low-frequency power: LF; high-frequency power: HF, and LF/HF ratio) were used to evaluate the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Steers performed more bouts in sleeping (P < 0.05), lying (P < 0.05), standing (P < 0.05), and eating (P < 0.05) in tie-stall, which was accompanied by a decrease in time budget (P < 0.05). An increase in HR (P < 0.05) and LF/HF (P < 0.05), accompanied by a decrease in HF (P < 0.05) was observed from d2. Further, a rise in cortisol concentration from d1 was observed. The study indicated that the steers were under stress after they were moved to tie-stall tethering. The decrease in sleeping time budget accompanied by restlessness during the nighttime might be an indicator of stress response in the behavioural expression of steers.</p>

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