Physiological and behavioral responses of bull calves to different methods of castration /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1989.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Two trials were conducted to determine behavioral and physiological responses of bull calves to chemical, surgical, Burdizzo or sham castration. In trial I, thirty-eight Holstein bull calves, blocked by birth order, were assigned to one of four castration methods. Dairy calves averaged 3 wk of age and 51 kg at castration. Surgically castrated calves had the highest integrated cortisol response and neutrophil counts, and lowest lymphocyte counts 2 h after castration. During 5 min open-field tests, trotting bouts were greatest in sham calves. Physiological and behavioral data indicated that surgical castration was the most stressful and sham castration was the least stressful method of castration. In trial II, thirty-six crossbred bull calves, blocked by batch, were randomly assigned to one of the four castration methods. Calves averaged 4 mo of age and 113 kg at castration. Surgically castrated calves had the greatest integrated cortisol response and chemical. Burdizzo and surgically castrated calves had higher white blood cell counts than sham calves. Differences in physiological responses due to time of sampling, across treatments, and lack of time-by-treatment interactions for all physiological variables, except neutrophil counts and percent monocytes.. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Animal Science." |
| Physical Description: | x, 151 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |