Full Length Research Paper

A comparison of stress hormone concentrations at slaughter in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers

Thulile Ndlovu¹, Michael Chimonyo^2,*, Anthony I. Okoh¹ and Voster Muchenje²

¹Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

²Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mchimonyo@ufh.ac.za .

Tel: +27 40 602 2101. Fax: +27 40 628 2597

Accepted 26 November, 2007

   Abstract

Concentrations of stress hormones at slaughter were determined in 15 of each of 18-month old Angus, Bonsmara and Nguni steers. The steers were slaughtered at the East London Abattoir, which is about 120 km from the University of Fort Hare farm, where the animals had been raised. Serum creatinine and packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were determined before cattle transportation. Blood was also collected along the slaughter line immediately after exsanguination for the determination of cortisol, creatinine and PCV. Urine samples were collected for the measurement of creatinine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was also determined. Bonsmara had the highest concentrations of adrenaline (10.8 nmol/mol), noradrenaline (9.7 nmol/mol) and dopamine (14.8 nmol/mol) concentrations, whereas the Nguni had the least concentrations of adrenaline (6.5 nmol/mol), noradrenaline (4.6 nmol/mol) and dopamine (4 nmol/mol) concentrations. The Nguni had the highest serum cortisol concentrations (2.3 nmol/mol), while Angus had the least concentrations (1.3 nmol/mol). There were no (P > 0.05) breed differences in serum and urea creatinine concentrations, and on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Bonsmara steers had higher (P < 0.05) levels of catecholamines and dopamine compared to Nguni and Angus steers after transport and handling stress. The Bonsmara was therefore the most stress responsive breed at slaughter.

Key words: Stress, cortisol, dopamine, adrenaline, animal welfare, breed.