Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare
Weaning is a critical period for calves, affecting their well-being, health, and productivity. The present study analyzed 61 calves to evaluate the effects of weaning as a stress factor by monitoring hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters. Blood samples were collected at the start of wean...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1272 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850155852034473984 |
|---|---|
| author | Cecilia Guasco Martina Moriconi Nicoletta Vitale Francesca Fusi Dáša Schleicherová Elisabetta Razzuoli Mario Vevey Stefania Bergagna |
| author_facet | Cecilia Guasco Martina Moriconi Nicoletta Vitale Francesca Fusi Dáša Schleicherová Elisabetta Razzuoli Mario Vevey Stefania Bergagna |
| author_sort | Cecilia Guasco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Weaning is a critical period for calves, affecting their well-being, health, and productivity. The present study analyzed 61 calves to evaluate the effects of weaning as a stress factor by monitoring hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters. Blood samples were collected at the start of weaning at 130–135 days (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 (T2) days later, and finally at 150 days of age. The results showed changes in the levels of cortisol, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-8) and acute-phase proteins. Alterations in white blood cells were also observed, such as neutrophilia and lymphopenia, which are typical signs of an adverse stress response. Biochemically, the switch from milk to solid food caused imbalances in protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, indicating a relevant metabolic adaptation. Serum electrophoresis showed a decrease in albumin and an increase in γ-globulins, a sign of immune maturation. The results suggest that weaning is one of the most important stressors for calves, with both physiological and immune effects. However, this practice is necessary for breeding productivity. Future research could investigate the role of genetics and environment in weaning resilience to further optimize breeding practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d518e49e35794c9d889f87c5b161b939 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-d518e49e35794c9d889f87c5b161b9392025-08-20T02:24:46ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01159127210.3390/ani15091272Weaning as Stressor for Calf WelfareCecilia Guasco0Martina Moriconi1Nicoletta Vitale2Francesca Fusi3Dáša Schleicherová4Elisabetta Razzuoli5Mario Vevey6Stefania Bergagna7Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyAzienda Sanitaria Territoriale di Ancona, Viale Cristoforo Colombo 106, 60100 Ancona, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyItalian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyAssociazione Nazionale Bovini di Razza Valdostana, Fraz. Favret, 5, 11020 Gressan, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyWeaning is a critical period for calves, affecting their well-being, health, and productivity. The present study analyzed 61 calves to evaluate the effects of weaning as a stress factor by monitoring hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters. Blood samples were collected at the start of weaning at 130–135 days (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 (T2) days later, and finally at 150 days of age. The results showed changes in the levels of cortisol, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-8) and acute-phase proteins. Alterations in white blood cells were also observed, such as neutrophilia and lymphopenia, which are typical signs of an adverse stress response. Biochemically, the switch from milk to solid food caused imbalances in protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, indicating a relevant metabolic adaptation. Serum electrophoresis showed a decrease in albumin and an increase in γ-globulins, a sign of immune maturation. The results suggest that weaning is one of the most important stressors for calves, with both physiological and immune effects. However, this practice is necessary for breeding productivity. Future research could investigate the role of genetics and environment in weaning resilience to further optimize breeding practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1272weaningstresscalvesimmune responsebloodanalysis |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia Guasco Martina Moriconi Nicoletta Vitale Francesca Fusi Dáša Schleicherová Elisabetta Razzuoli Mario Vevey Stefania Bergagna Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare Animals weaning stress calves immune response blood analysis |
| title | Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare |
| title_full | Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare |
| title_fullStr | Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare |
| title_full_unstemmed | Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare |
| title_short | Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare |
| title_sort | weaning as stressor for calf welfare |
| topic | weaning stress calves immune response blood analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1272 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ceciliaguasco weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT martinamoriconi weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT nicolettavitale weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT francescafusi weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT dasaschleicherova weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT elisabettarazzuoli weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT mariovevey weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare AT stefaniabergagna weaningasstressorforcalfwelfare |