A comparison of the effects of electroimmobilisation and, or, shearing procedures on ovine plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipoprotein and cortisol.

The effects of electroimmobilisation (EIM) and shearing procedures on the plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophin (beta-EP/beta-LPH) and cortisol were compared in conscious sheep. Serial blood samples were collected from five groups of animals subjected to either EIM during simulated shearing (EIM + SS), SS, EIM, shearing or control procedures. EIM and shearing each caused significant increases in the plasma concentrations of beta-EP/beta-LPH and cortisol. The responses to EIM and shearing were significantly greater than in the control animals but were not significantly different from each other. There were no significant differences in the mean plasma concentrations of cortisol following treatment between EIM and EIM + SS groups or between SS and control groups. However, the plasma cortisol concentrations after treatment in the EIM + SS group were significantly greater than in the SS group.