TRANSPORTATION STRESS ON CATTLE IN BANGLADESH: ITS EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND HORMONAL CHANGES, AND IMMUNE RESPONSE

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of July- December, 2014 to determine the effect of transportation stress of cattle used for beef purpose in Bangladesh. A total of 100 cattle were randomly selected, those were subjected to long distance transportation (648km, 14h). A pre-structured record sheet was used to record the injury related data, physical parameters and others relevant data both before and after transportation. Blood samples were collected from 50 selected cattle for three times (before, after and 24h of post transportation) from each. Routine examinations of blood were done by standard procedure. The biochemical and cortisol hormone analysis were performed by using biochemical analyzer and ELISA based commercial kit, respectively from serum. The frequencies of injuries were increased significantly (P<0.01) after transportation (47%) than before (26%). The injuries were most common in Hariana cattle both before (5%) and after (8%) transport. Abrasion was dominated type of injury (11%) and were increased significantly (P<0.05) after transportation. The most frequent location of injuries was pin bone in both phase of the study. The frequencies of nasal discharge and degree of dehydrations were significantly (P<0.01) increased after transportation. Among the hematological parameters the hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC) and neutrophils count were increased significantly (P<0.05) after transportation while the lymphocytes count were decreased significantly (P<0.01). Among the biochemical parameters the serum total protein (TP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), creatine kinage (CK) and triglyceride (TG) level were increased significantly (P<0.01) after transportation, while serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was decreased. The serum cortisol hormone revealed no significant variation (P>0.05) before and after transportation. Immune responses of the transported cattle were expressed by increased (P<0.01) neutrophil count, decreased (P<0.01) lymphocyte count and increased (P<0.01) neutrophils and lymphocytes ratio after transportation (0.56±0.01) than before (0.48±0.01). Increased number of injuries, enormous changes of hemato-biochemical parameters during transportation indicates relatively higher degree of stress and suffering. Cattle trader should aware about the comfortless of animal during transportation for maximum productivity as well as to maintain animal welfare.