Effect of a 72 hour fast on physiological stress indicators in feedlot cattle

Feedlot oxen (n = 15) were herded and subjected to venepuncture on a daily basis for 2 weeks. Plasma glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, total lipids, total protein, cortisol, catecholamines, osmolarity and haematocrit were compared between Days 1 and 14. Plasma glucose concentration and haematocrit decreased significantly while total plasma lipid and free fatty acid concentrations increased significantly over the 14 d. Thereafter, food was withdrawn for 72 h from the experimental group (n = 10) and the same blood variables were compared in the control and the experimental groups. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations rose, while glucose concentrations declined in the experimental group during the fasting period. It is concluded that food deprivation for 72 h in cattle cannot be regarded as a major stressor.