Physiological Response of Two Age Groups of Omani Male Goats to Short Road Transportation in Relation to Circulating Levels of Gonadotropins, Cortisol, Thyroid Hormones, Sex Steroids and Plasma Chemistry

摘要

The effect of short road transportation in two age groups of Omani male goats was evaluated to assess their physiological response to stress in relation to circulating levels of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine), Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH), thyroid hormones (T , T ), gondadotropins 3 4 (FSH, LH) and testosterone (T). In addition, plasma parameters cholesterol, total protein, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, lactate, Mg PO Ca and CO were also analyzed. Thirty seven male goats were used, 10 ++ !! ++ 4 2 at 6 months of age and 27 at 12 months of age. Each age group was divided randomly into control and experimental groups. The control goats from both age groups were transported in an open truck (3 ? 2 m), three days before they were slaughtered. The journey started at 7:00 am and lasted for 2 with light to heavy traffic at air temperature 30-31?C. At the end of the trip, the control goats were kept in a lairage of a commercial slaughterhouse with feed and water provided ad libitum. The experimental goats were subjected to the same transportation conditions except they were transported the same day they were slaughtered. Blood samples were collected from both age groups by jugular veinpuncture just before slaughtering. There were no significant differences in catecholamines, cortisol, other hormones and electrolyte values between the 6 and 12-month control groups. When the experimental data from both age groups were combined and compared with the controls of both age groups, the values remained the same expect for CO , BUN and lactate, which were 2 significant. Subjecting goats to the two h road transportation as well as to other stressors such as keeping the control animals in the lairage for 72 h, did not generate a major physiological response as that indicated by the lack of significant changes in the values of the stress hormones (cortisol and catecholamines). The results of this study will be of a value form more elaborate future study on the stress physiology of the Omani goats.