Haematological and cortisol changes after a 3 h road journey in sheep

Abstract

The effects of a short road journey on haematological variables and Cortisol levels were studied in 138 healthy sheep. Animals were divided into two groups: group A (n = 93:54 pregnant ewes, 24 post-partum ewes and 15 rams) were transported 125 km byroad for 3 h group B (n = 45:20 pregnant ewes, 15 post-partum ewes and 10 rams) was the control group. Blood samples were collected from both groups under basal conditions and in group A after transport and unloading. In group A pregnant ewes showed higher Red blood cell Distribution Width (RDW) (p<0.05), Plateletocnt (Pet) (p<0.01), Platelet (Pit) (p<0.01) and Cortisol levels (p<0.001) after transport than basal values; post-partum ewes showed higher RDW (p<0.01), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) (p<0.05) and Cortisol levels (p <0.05), Pit (p<0.05) and Cortisol levels (p<0.05). Pregnant ewes also showed lower values of White Blood Cell (WBC) (p<0.01) and higher values of Red Blood Cell (RBC) (p<0.01) than post partum ewes. In addition, pregnant ewes and rams showed higher Cortisol levels (p<0.05) before transport than control group (p<0.05). In group B pregnant ewes showed higher WBC and RBC values (p<0.01) than post-partum ewes. Evaluation of haematological variables and circulating Cortisol after a short journey is therefore, effective in evaluating short term stress in sheep and provides an additional tool for distinguishing between control group and transported animals. © Medwell Journals, 2011.