Nakao T, Sato T, Moriyoshi M, Kawata K
Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan.
Zentralbl Veterinarmed A. 1994 Feb;41(1):16-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.1994.tb00060.x.
Response of plasma cortisol concentrations after vaginoscopic examination, palpation of the genital organs per rectum and artificial insemination were investigated in six Holstein-Friesian cows weighing between 510 to 620 kg. Blood samples were collected by indwelling jugular catheter. The experiment was begun at 09:00 hours on the day when cows came into estrus. Blood samples were collected from 30 minutes before to 60 minutes after each treatment at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes. Cows were initially blood-sampled for 90 minutes at the same intervals without giving any treatment and then were subjected to vaginoscopy for 1.5 minutes, palpation of the uterus and ovaries per rectum for 4 minutes and artificial insemination by the recto-vaginal method for 5 minutes. No significant increase in plasma cortisol was shown in cows in estrus following vaginoscopy. Palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination caused a significant increase in plasma cortisol (P < 0.01) 5 to 10 minutes after the initiation of treatments in cows in estrus. There was a tendency for cows in the luteal phase to show higher plasma cortisol levels after the vaginoscopy than cows in estrus. Adrenal response to palpation per rectum in cows in the luteal phase was similar to that in cows in estrus. Thus, in cows in estrus, palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination may be potential stressors for cows, causing an increase in plasma cortisol levels. However, the pathophysiological importance of the rise in plasma cortisol levels is not known.
对6头体重在510至620千克之间的荷斯坦-弗里生奶牛进行了研究，观察经阴道镜检查、直肠触诊生殖器官和人工授精后血浆皮质醇浓度的变化。通过颈静脉留置导管采集血样。实验于奶牛发情当天的09:00开始。在每次处理前30分钟至处理后60分钟，每隔5至10分钟采集血样。奶牛最初在相同时间间隔内采血90分钟，不进行任何处理，然后进行1.5分钟的阴道镜检查、4分钟的直肠触诊子宫和卵巢以及5分钟的直肠-阴道法人工授精。发情期奶牛经阴道镜检查后血浆皮质醇未显示出显著增加。直肠触诊以及人工授精在发情期奶牛处理开始后5至10分钟导致血浆皮质醇显著增加（P < 0.01）。黄体期奶牛经阴道镜检查后的血浆皮质醇水平有高于发情期奶牛的趋势。黄体期奶牛对直肠触诊的肾上腺反应与发情期奶牛相似。因此，在发情期奶牛中，直肠触诊以及人工授精可能是奶牛潜在的应激源，导致血浆皮质醇水平升高。然而，血浆皮质醇水平升高的病理生理重要性尚不清楚。
