[Stress reactions in clinically healthy sows at the time of birth and their relationship to the CK test].

Concentrations of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT/GOT) were determined in plasma of 100 gilts and 175 sows at the 112. day of pregnancy and one day after parturition. Gilts and sows were divided into a stress resistant (n = 146) and a stress susceptible group (n = 129) following the creatine-kinase-test carried out after the performance test period at a body weight of 90 kg (CK-90). Stress susceptible gilts and sows showed higher CK-values before and especially after parturition than stress resistant ones. Significant correlations were demonstrable between CK-90 and the CK values before and after parturition (r = 0.5). Regarding body temperature, respiration rate and heart frequency as well as the percentage of stillborn piglets, the two groups of sows did not differ from each other. The increase of enzyme activities after parturition was not influenced by prophylactic treatment with prostaglandin-F2-alpha or beta receptor blocking agent. The beta blocking agent Carazolol, however, caused a transient depression of heart rate after parturition.