Comparison level of cortisol and ratio of neutrophil/lymphocytes as acute stress marker to long road transportation of bligon bucks

Abstract

Transfortation of animal is generally recognized as a stressfull event and related to immune system. The purpose of this study is to compare the pattern of cortisol secretion during transfortation and ratio Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (N/L) as a stress marker. Six adult bligon buck ranging in body weight 26-30 Kg were used in this study. Two weeks prior to the experiment, the animals were fed standard ration in their pen at 10% from their body weight per head daily and commercial concentrate also was given everyday. All of animals were transported around village for 116 hours starting from 18.00 pm until 10.00 am in open small truck (3x2 m); eye contact with each others was provided. Blood samples were withdrawn from jugular vein using vacutainer tubes containing heparin, transferred into 1.5 mL glass tubes in alliquot, and centrifuged at 500 xg for 15 minutes.