Quantitative analysis of acid-base balance in Bos indicus steers subjected to transportation of long duration1

Abstract

There is a lack of information pertaining to the effects of transport stress on the acid-base physiology of ruminants. The effect of transportation and/or feed and water deprivation on acid-base balance was studied using 19 2-yr-old Bos indicus steers. The steers were allocated to one of three groups: 1) control, offered ad libitum access to feed and water (n = 8); 2) water and feed deprived, offered no feed or water for 60 h (n = 6); and 3) transported, offered no feed or water for 12 h, and then transported for 48 h (n = 5). Blood gases, electrolytes, lactate, total protein, albumin, anion gap, strong ion difference, and total weak acids were determined at the conclusion of transportation. Arterial blood pH did not differ among the experimental groups. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) was lower for the water and feed deprived (P = 0.023) group than for the control group. Plasma total protein, albumin and total weak acid concentrations were higher for the transported (P = 0.001, P = 0.03, P = 0.01) and water- and feed-deprived (P = 0.000, P = 0.003, P = 0.001) groups, respectively, compared with the control group. Transported animals had a lower plasma concentration of potassium (P = 0.026) compared with the control animals. This study demonstrates that although blood pH remains within normal values in transported and fasted steers, the primary challenge to a transported or feed- and water-deprived animal is a mild metabolic acidosis induced by elevated plasma proteins, which may be the result of a loss of body water. The loss of electrolytes had little effect on the acid-base balance of the animals.

Impact of oral meloxicam on circulating physiological biomarkers of stress and inflammation in beef steers after long-distance transportation1

“…This observation is in agreement with previous reports (Parker et al, 2003;Earley et al, 2006a;Earley and O'Riordan, 2006b). However, another study reported a decrease in plasma protein after a 9-h transportation event (Buckham Sporer et al, 2008).…”

“…However, in a study investigating the partial pressure of carbon dioxide after transportation, no difference was reported for transported steers compared to control animals (Parker et al, 2003). Total carbon Figure 6.…”

The physiological and metabolic impacts on sheep and cattle of feed and water deprivation before and during transport

“…The availability of Na in the rumen during FWD may need to be reassessed. It may also explain the maintenance of acid -base balance observed by Parker et al 70 during 48 h FWD plus transport in steers. When animals come under the restrictions of FWD, rumination is greatly reduced and practically ceases within 24 h 71 .…”

Effects of transportation and thermal stress on donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria: A review

“…Changes in mineral metabolism triggered off by alterations in the original hormonal status, as a result of environmental stress factors brought about during animal transportation involve chiefly calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride (Klaus-Dietrich, 1985, Parker et al, 2003. Stress causes cell stimulation, resulting in an aggressive potential change of cell from rest potential to action potential (Klaus-Dietrich, 1985).…”

“…A rise in calcium ion concentration in stressed animals is also manifested by increase in muscle activeties (Klaus-Dietrich, 1985). Decrease in potassium concentration observed in animals exposed to stress may be due to the fact that stress induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and stimulated the secretion of cortisol, resulting in excretion of K + (Parker et al, 2003). The changes in the ion milieu give rise to nervous hypersensitive reactions in animals (White et al, 1991;Skull and Rodiek, 2000).…”