Resumen de Effects of an allostatic modulator on the behavior and blood indicators of young bulls after transport

Mª Salud Rubio Lozano, Danilo Méndez Medina, Karla Reyes Mayorga, Maria Elena Rubio García, Tania Manu Ngapo, Karen F. Mancera, Francisco Galindo Maldonado

• An allostatic modulator (AM) composed of ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride was dissolved in the drinking water of three groups of young bulls (n = 7) and administered to them for 7 d after 20.42 h of transport (Control (C) = 0 g/head/d, G2 = 30 g/head/d, G3 = 60 g/head/d). The effects of the AM on behavior and blood cellular and biochemical components were measured. G3 animals spent less time lying and more time standing than C animals (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively), indicating less fatigue. G3 bulls presented a lower frequency of agonistic interactions than those in the G2 group (P = 0.001), suggesting a possible effect on aggression that warrants further evaluation. The AM affected creatinine kinase (CK) activity in the G2 group compared to the C group (P = 0.04), suggesting an effect of AM components that has not been previously reported. Cortisol levels remained unaffected by AM supplementation (P = 0.55). These preliminary findings suggest an effect of supplementing cattle with an AM after long-haul transport.