Evaluation of the Immune Response to Transport Stress in the Aosta Valley Breed

Abstract

Transportation is a recurring event in a farm animal’s life, and it is considered one of the main stressors with possible negative repercussions for both the health and welfare of farm animals. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of transportation on some blood variables of 45 young bulls moved from their original farms to a livestock collection centre. Transportation took no more than 8 h and was carried out between January and March 2021. Blood samples were taken before transportation (T0), upon arrival at the collection centre (T1), and 7 days after arrival (T2). Samples were processed for blood cell count, clinical chemistry analyses, serum protein electrophoresis, and the evaluation of innate immunity parameters. The results showed a typical stress leukogram with neutrophilia and changes in the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. No significant alterations were observed in either serum proteins or pro-inflammatory cytokines. Significant, albeit transient, alterations were observed in some clinical chemistry parameters after transportation, which could be accounted for by stressful conditions such as the transportation itself and handling and mixing with other animals. Our results indicated that the adopted transportation conditions only slightly affected the blood variables under study with no significant impact on animal welfare.

Is the Introduction into a New Environment Stressful for Young Bulls?

“…Abnormal blood electrolyte parameters are generally caused by nutrition problems [ 32 ]. In our study, the change in animal feeding compared to the farms of origin could explain the modification of Ca, Cl, and Mg blood concentrations; likewise, the significant decrease in ALP [ 15 ]. Conversely, the significant increase in ALT and AST denoted the involvement of liver function.…”

“…The health and welfare of farm animals are highly influenced by stress factors, such as transportation, which includes both physical and psychological stimuli that can lead to possible negative repercussions [ 15 ]. The transport of cattle can result in immune suppression, which can lead to increased susceptibility to diseases and can result in an increased spread of pathogens as well as high mortality during the first few days of transport.…”

“…The transport of cattle can result in immune suppression, which can lead to increased susceptibility to diseases and can result in an increased spread of pathogens as well as high mortality during the first few days of transport. Investigations on the biological response to transportation showed stress-related alterations in hematological and inflammatory responses in cattle after transport [ 9 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”