Modelling the Dynamic Response of Cattle Heart Rate During Loading for Transport

• Researchers in animal welfare and transport use heart rate (HR) as an important parameter to describe animal response to emotional and physical stresses. This study examined the dynamic HR response in cows to stress-inducing factors during loading for transport. The simulation model was developed using Powersim software via application of exponential function to describe the pattern of HR signals during loading. The model was tested on HR value data of 18 cattle (11 heifers aged 14-16 months and 7 cows aged 2-3 years) and it described the HR profile well. The mean coefficient of determination, R2, was found to be 0.89 + 0.06. The HR rose exponentially from its mean resting value to a peak value (about 1.9 times the value at resting level) and then declined, during a recovery period, to the post-stress level (about 1.15 times the value at resting level). The mean HR at resting condition, peak, and after recovery were 80+6 bpm, 136+35 bpm and 91+19 bpm for heifers and 47+4 bpm, 102+27 bpm, and 55+12 bpm for cows, respectively. The rate of increase in HR (during rising period) was greater than the rate of decrease during the recovery period. In all HR data sets, it was noticed that HR reduced immediately after it attained the peak value

Ämnesord

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Jordbruksvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Agricultural Science (hsv//eng)

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