Effect of transportation on plasma cortisol and packed cell volume in different genotypes of sheep

Differences in physiological responses to transportation for 45-90 min were investigated using 94 sheep of eight genotypes representing upland and lowland types. Fourteen journeys were made and blood samples were taken before and after each journey to compare pre-and post-transportation plasma cortisol concentration and packed cell volume (haematocrit; PCV). Overall, during the journeys cortisol concentration increased significantly (from 57.3 to 71.3 mmol/l) and PCV declined significantly (from 35.1 to 33.9%) but there was considerable individual variation. Plasma cortisol concentration in sheep of predominantly upland genotype showed a greater response than in sheep of predominantly lowland genotype. Genotypes compared in this way were Suffolk x blackfaced hill breed (50% upland genotype) with threequarter-bred Rouge de l'Ouest (25% upland genotype), and Derbyshire Gritstone (100% upland genotype) with Suffolk x Rouge de l'Ouest (100% lowland genotype) with further information from Charollais, Suffolk, Jacob x Texel and Manx Loghtan. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. AU rights reserved.