摘要 : Nineteen British cross-bred steers (623+or-10.6 kg) were transported in groups of four or five for 3 h and returned to their home pens. Jugular cannulas, heart rate (HR; BPM) monitors and radio transmitters were used to non-invasi... 展开 Nineteen British cross-bred steers (623+or-10.6 kg) were transported in groups of four or five for 3 h and returned to their home pens. Jugular cannulas, heart rate (HR; BPM) monitors and radio transmitters were used to non-invasively collect physiological data. Heart rate (n=13) was lower during highway travel (83.5+or-3.15, P>0.05) compared with pre-loading (118.9+or-3.19, P<0.01) and off-loading (97.5+or-4.47) but was not different from travel in town (88.8+or-2.90). Plasma cortisol concentration ( micro g dL-1, n=16) increased from pre-loading (1.87+or-0.28) to off-loading (3.10+or-0.28, P<0.02) and decreased to 1.16+or-0.28 micro g dL-1 by 1 h after off-loading (P<0.001), a value not different from pre-loading levels. Body temperature measured at off-loading was 0.19 degrees C higher (P<0.001) than at pre-loading. No differences in the time spent eating and ruminating were observed when compared between a 1-h period 1 d prior to transport and the same time of day post-transport (P>0.50). Increases in HR (P<0.01) and lying time (P<0.001) post-transport compared with the days prior suggest cattle experienced some fatigue. Mild, short-term stress responses were observed in finished steers exposed to 3 h of transportation. 收起