Welfare Indicators in bulls submitted to collect of semen by eletroejaculation

Abstract

The bovine cattle industry reached its current status mainly due to reproductive biotecniques. Artificial insemination is the most employed Brazilian biotecniques. The first step of semen processing is its collection made by artificial vagina or eletroejaculation procedures. Recentely the eletroejaculation has been considered a welfare problem by cientific comunity. Five Freedoms and the physiologic and behaviour indicators are the main methods of welfare assessment. The main physiologic indicators are the plasmatic levels of cortisol, progesterone and prolactine, body temperature and heart and respiratory rates. In order to assess the behaviour indicators the frequency of urination, defecation, kicks, lower head, butts, recumbency, licking, smelling, threats, and mounts is determinated. The objective of this article is to present the main welfare indicators and theirs changes in bulls submitted to eletroejaculation procedures.