Evaluation of Stress During Transport

Abstract

Domestic animals are transported for a variety of reasons including breeding, biomedical purposes, slaughter and, in the case of sporting horses, for competitions, pleasure activities or ceremonial proceedings. Studies to determine the amount of stress on farm animals during transport often have highly variable results and are difficult to interpret. The reaction of animals to stressors depends on the duration and intensity of the stressors, the animal's previous experience, its physiological status and the immediate environmental restraints. Behavioural, haematological, haematochemical, physiological and neuro-hormonal (beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, iodothyronines) variables are discussed on the basis of handling, loading and transport procedures of animals.

Physiological variables of horses after road transport

“…Increases in T 3 and T 4 levels after transport confirm that thyroid hormone modifications are an indicator of stress in domestic animals (Fazio and Ferlazzo, 2003;Fazio et al, 2005 and2007) and also show that horse breed, but not age, appears to influence thyroid responsiveness. In fact, the value of thyroid hormone concentrations cannot be used as an absolute value, as it is only useful in terms of its variation when relative basal values are known.…”

“…Numerous studies to determine the amount of transport stress in horses have been carried out (Leadon, 1994;Fazio and Ferlazzo, 2003;Stull et al, 2004) and thus it is well known that long-term stress (24 to 48 h) can influence a number of systems in the horse, including the immune, digestive and reproductive systems (Baucus et al, 1990a and1990b). The extent to which short transport stress influences the horse's thyroid function has not been sufficiently studied and only limited scientific data are available that demonstrate its effect on body weight (BW), rectal temperature and heart rate (HR) changes (Stull, 1999).…”

Effects of heat stress on some blood parameters and egg production of Shika Brown layer chickens transported by road

“…Among these elements, exposure to high AT and RH has been documented to be a major threat to animal welfare during transport, especially during the hot dry summer months (Hartung, 2003). These factors acting concurrently on transported animals impair normal body functions, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, poor meat quality and decreased productivity (Fazio and Ferlazzo, 2003;Fallenberg and Speisky, 2006;Franco-Jimenez and Beck, 2007;Rozenboim et al, 2007). It has been observed that temperature and moisture of air are two major environmental factors controlling the heat stress of livestock (Bouraoui et al, 2002;St-Pierre et al, 2003).…”

Effects of previous experience on total blood and free iodothyronine responses to isolation, restraint and shearing in sheep (Ovis aries)

“…Additionally, respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature are widely used as physiological indicators for studying stress and adaptation to the environment (Mousa-Balabel and Salama 2010). In contrast, little is known regarding the involvement of thyroid hormones in response to stress (Fazio and Ferlazzo 2003;Ferlazzo et al 2007) and whether or not any total or free iodothyronines can be used as objective indicators of stress in domestic animals Fazio et al 2012;Fazio et al 2014b). Plasma T 3 and T 4 concentrations were not affected by tail docking, castration, weaning, isolation and restraint in lambs (Mears and Brown 1997).…”