Milk Production, Health, Behavior, and Endocrine Responses of Cows Exposed to Electrical Current During Milking

Six cows were exposed during milkings to electrical current to assess its effects on behavior, health, milking performance, and endocrine responses. Three treatments (0, 4, and 8mA) were applied in a changeover design over three consecutive 1-wk periods. A cow received the same current treatment dur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dairy science 1985-10, Vol.68 (10), p.2694-2702
Main Authors: Drenkard, D.V. Henke, Gorewit, R.C., Scott, N.R., Sagi, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ANIMAL HEALTH
Animals
Behavior, Animal - physiology
BEHAVIOUR
Cattle - physiology
COMPORTAMIENTO
COMPORTEMENT
COWS
ELECTRICIDAD
ELECTRICITE
ELECTRICITY
Electricity - adverse effects
Female
HORMONAS
HORMONE
HORMONES
Hydrocortisone - blood
Lactation
Milk - analysis
MILK PRODUCTION
MILKING
ORDENO
Oxytocin - blood
Pregnancy
PRODUCCION LECHERA
PRODUCTION LAITIERE
Prolactin - blood
SANIDAD ANIMAL
SANTE ANIMALE
TRAITE
VACA
VACHE
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Summary:Six cows were exposed during milkings to electrical current to assess its effects on behavior, health, milking performance, and endocrine responses. Three treatments (0, 4, and 8mA) were applied in a changeover design over three consecutive 1-wk periods. A cow received the same current treatment during 14 consecutive milkings, beginning with the evening milking (d 1) and ending with the morning milking (d 8). Treatments began 5min before milking and continued until milking unit removal. Treatments consisted of 60Hz square wave current of 5-s duration applied every 30s from udder to hooves. Milk accumulation curves provided information about milk yields, milking times, peak milk flow rates, and times of peak milk flow. Residual milk yields also were measured. Milk was analyzed for protein, fat, and somatic cells. Blood samples from 60min before to 60min after treatment were collected, and oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations were measured. Behavioral responses to current decreased with time. Changes of milking performance and milk composition were not significant. Changes of milking related cortisol responses during 8-mA current stimulation were significant. Oxytocin release was delayed during 8-mA treatments, Current treatments did not affect prolactin.
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(85)81154-1