Stress in lambs (Ovis aries) during a routine management procedure: Evaluation of acute and chronic responses
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1994
Abstract
These experiments were performed to evaluate the acute and chronic stress responses of lambs during a common, yet invasive management procedure, tail docking (tail amputation). Tail docking had no effect on the average daily weight gain of lambs. Tail docking had a significant acute endocrine effect; cortisol levels were consistently higher in the docked animals (17.1 ± 1.6 ng/ml) versus the control animals (7.4 ± 0.8 ng/ml). Chronically, cortisol levels were highest shortly after docking and returned to basal levels by 3 days after docking. These data indicate that tail docking elicits an immediate, but not sustained, stress response. © 1993.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology
Volume
107
Issue
1
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Rhodes, R. C., M. M. Nippo, and W. A. Gross. "Stress in lambs (Ovis aries) during a routine management procedure: Evaluation of acute and chronic responses." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology 107, 1 (1994). doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(94)90291-7.