Adaptation of ostriches to transport-induced stress: Physiometabolic response

摘要

This study assessed the effects of five different transport periods on physiometabolic responses and gas exchange in ostriches. It included 138 ostriches that were assigned to five experimental groups. G_1 included 78 birds that were set aside as a reference group (RG). Each one of the four remaining experimental groups included 20 ostriches, which were transported in the following manner: G_1 on one occasion for a period of 1 h; G_2 on one occasion for 2 h; and G_3 on one occasion for 3 h; G_(4a) was made up of the ostriches from G_1 but they were shipped on a second occasion, for 2 h (making a total of 3 h); finally, G_(4b) was that same group, but after a third transport period, on this occasion during 3 h (for a total of 6 h). Groups G_2 and G_3presented the most marked blood alterations (P< 0.05), including an increase in pH, hypocapnia (27.8 ± 0.80 mmHg), hypernatremia (171.75 ± 1.84 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (0.95 ± 0.03 mmol/L), and hyperglycemia (224.05 ± 3.94 mg/dL). Also, group G_3 presented the lowest hematocrit values (26.5 ± 0.47 HTC%). Therefore, transporting ostriches with no prior experience for 3 h caused the most pronounced physiometabolic changes.