ABSTRACT

Behavioural and blood-based physiological responses of Nguni (NG) and Boran (BR) steers, following relocation to a new environment and herd regrouping were examined. Ten steers of each genotype aged 9 months and reared under similar conditions were studied over 16 weeks: 1 for acclimatization and baseline measurements in original groups, 15 for post regrouping measurements. Each sampling week, direct visual observations and durations of aggressive and affiliative interactions were recorded between 0500-1900h for 3 conservative days. Blood samples were drawn fortnightly by jugular venipuncture for plasma cortisol, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and haematological analysis. In weeks 1-5, BR had higher instances of head-butting (P=0.0311), mounts (P=0.0142) and threats (P=0.0241) compared to NG (P<0.0001, P=0.0412 and P=0.0241, respectively). However, these significantly declined from weeks 7-15 in both genotypes. Grooming increased consistently over the weeks in both genotypes (P=0.0214). Head-butting correlated with cortisol (r=-0.116), CK (r=-0.295) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (r=-0.144). Grooming correlated (r=0.137) with white-blood-cell-count. Herd regrouping temporarily disrupted social behaviour, with BR showing more aggression towards NG steers. Nevertheless, the two genotypes established some stability within five weeks of social mixing.

摘要

迁移到新的环境并重新分组后，研究了牛N（NG）和宝来（BR））牛的行为和基于血液的生理反应。在16周内研究了每个基因型的10个年龄9个月并在相似条件下饲养的公牛：在原始组中1个用于驯化和基线测量，在重组后15个用于测量。在每个采样周内，在0500-1900h的3个保守日内记录直接的视觉观察以及攻击性和联盟性互动的持续时间。每两周通过颈静脉穿刺抽取血样进行血浆皮质醇，葡萄糖，肌酸激酶（CK）和血液学分析。与NG（P <0.0001，P = 0.0412和P = 0.0241分别）相比，在1-5周中，BR的头撞（P = 0.0311），坐骑（P = 0.0142）和威胁（P = 0.0241）的发生率更高）。但是，两种基因型的这些都从7-15周开始显着下降。两种基因型的修饰在数周中持续增加（P = 0.0214）。头撞与皮质醇（r = -0.116），CK（r = -0.295）和中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞的比例（r = -0.144）相关。修饰与白细胞计数相关（r = 0.137）。牛群重组暂时扰乱了社会行为，BR表现出对NG转向的更多侵略。尽管如此，这两种基因型在社交融合的五周内建立了一定的稳定性。牛群重组暂时扰乱了社会行为，BR表现出对NG转向的更多侵略。尽管如此，这两种基因型在社交融合的五周内建立了一定的稳定性。牛群重组暂时扰乱了社会行为，BR表现出对NG转向的更多侵略。尽管如此，这两种基因型在社交融合的五周内建立了一定的稳定性。