The effects of feed restriction and lying deprivation on pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in lactating cows

Abstract

In order to examine the effects of moderate feed restriction and periodic lying deprivation on pituitary-adrenal axis function in lactating dairy cows, 32 non-pregnant Jersey cows were allocated to two levels of feeding (4% vs. 3% of body weight of dry matter daily) and lying restriction (free lying vs. prevention of lying from 15:00 to 06:45 h daily) in a 2 × 2 factorial plan for 7 days. There were no feeding x lying interactions, and feeding level did not affect plasma cortisol concentrations, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to challenge with 15 μg corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), or ACTH and cortisol responses to CRH following the administration of 0.3 mg..