Stress response in dairy cows related to rectal examination

Cagri Cingi, CenkerFatih Baser, DurmusSunucu Karafakioglu, YaseminFatih Fidan, Abdurrahman

Background: Currently, rectal palpation is the cheapest and most convenient method which is using for detecting most of internal diseases, gynecologic conditions and artifi cial inseminations in dairy cows. However, rectal palpation procedure is probably painful, resulting in physiological and behavioral stress reactions. The life and metabolic activity can be affected by the oxidative stress which is one of the stress-related negative outcomes and characterized by the accumulation of radical oxygen species. Many factors such as stress, diet, antibiotics and husbandry practices effect animals health and growth performance. The aim of the study was emphasized to the effects of rectal palpation related to stress response and oxidant /antioxidant status in dairy cows.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on ten 3-4 years old, non-pregnant Holstein dairy cows. The rectal palpation procedure was performed in a closed area using the traditional method. Blood samples were taken from each animal, an hour before and just after the rectal palpation procedure for detecting white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit value, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status and nitric oxide, glucose and total cholesterol levels, as well as the plasma cortisol concentrations. WBC, RBC, Hct and Hb values were measured from whole blood by using an automati

1. rectal palpation
2. total antioxidant status
3. total oxidant status
4. cortisol
5. dairy cow