Intraruminal fluid administration to goats: effects of handling and fluid temperature

Cortisol is not enough: A complex stress reaction in tethered goats

The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity of physiological stress responses elicited by tethering versus loose holding in the Swedish domestic goat (Capra hircus). Eight goats were randomly divided into two groups and the experiment was performed in a crossover design. Six goats had implanted transmitters that registered heart rate and arterial blood pressure telemetrically and blood samples were taken on separate days. Heart rate increased around feeding both when the goats were held loose in pairs, and when they were tied up. When the goats were tethered, the heart rates and blood pressures were higher, and the concentrations of β-endorphin and oxytocin lower, compared to when held loose in pairs. In conclusion, housing and the company of another animal affect arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and the concentrations of β-endorphin and oxytocin in goats, but the cortisol and vasopressin concentrations did not differ between the treatments. The higher arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and lower concentrations of β-endorphin and oxytocin in tethered goats indicate that being tied up may be more stressful for the goats compared to being held loose. The use of single measures, eg cortisol concentrations, was not sufficient to give an accurate picture of the animals' response to the management system. This study demonstrates the importance of using a wide variety of physiological measures when evaluating stress in animal welfare research.

Reproductive period affects water intake in heat-stressed dehydrated goats

Water intake following dehydration was studied in pregnant (N = 5), lactating (N = 4) and nonpregnant, nonlactating (N = 5) Swedish domestic goats (Capra hircus) to investigate if reproductive period affected drinking. Plasma cortisol concentration and the hematocrit value were measured to evaluate stress. The goats were water deprived from 9.00 h until 15.05 h the next day. They were fed at 7.00 and 15.20 h. On the second day, ambient temperature was increased from 20 degrees C to 38-39.5 degrees C for 5.15 h to accelerate water losses. Water temperature during rehydration was 35 +/- 1 degree C. Plasma Na concentration and osmolality increased most in dehydrated and heat-stressed pregnant and lactating goats. Pregnant goats lost 2.2 kg of their body weight. They drank 3.5 l immediately, followed by 2.5 l during afternoon eating. Lactating goats lost 4.9 kg and drank 6.3 l at once, and 3.9 l during feeding. Nonpregnant, nonlactating goats lost 1.7 kg and drank 2.6 l followed by 0.6 l. The large water consumption in pregnant and lactating goats caused hyponatremia and hemodilution, but they continued to drink during the night (0.5 +/- 0.2 l and 0.8 +/- 0.5 l, respectively). Renal free water clearance increased in all periods, with a long-lasting water diuresis during pregnancy. Plasma cortisol concentrations and the hematocrit values rose in connection with water intake. These results imply that the thirst center became less sensitive to inhibitory signals from the oropharyngeal tract and the diluted blood plasma during pregnancy and lactation. Catching sight of water was the most exciting procedure during these experiments.

Heat stress causes excessive drinking in fed and food deprived pregnant goats

Water intake was studied in six goats during late pregnancy to investigate if heat stress induces primary polydipsia. The goats were fed twice daily or deprived of food for 24 hr to avoid postprandial drinking and induce hyponatremia. Signs of stress was evaluated by determination of plasma cortisol concentration. Ambient temperature was increased from 20 degrees C to 38.0-39.5 degrees C for 5.15 hr. Water temperature was 35 +/- 1 degree C during heat stress. Fed goats started to drink 13 +/- 3 min after the heaters were turned on and water diuresis developed in five of them. The body weight increased simultaneously with decreased plasma Na concentration and osmolality showing that the goats also stored water. During food deprivation, plasma Na concentration and osmolality fell, and plasma aldosterone concentration increased. Despite hyponatremia, food deprived goats started to drink 44 +/- 15 min after the heaters were turned on and then they drank repeatedly. Three of them underwent water diuresis. Hemodilution was observed both in fed and food-deprived goats during heat stress. These results show that heat stress induced primary polydipsia in pregnant goats. It is suggested that stimulating signals from warmth receptors overrode inhibiting influences from receptors signalling hyponatremia and hypoosmolality at the "thirst center" in the hypothalamus. Heat stress did not increase plasma cortisol concentration, but catching sight of food caused an abrupt, short-lasting elevation.