Effects of blood sampling procedures, grouping and adrenal stimulation on stress responses in the growing pig.

Changes in the blood and the behaviour of 14 growing pigs from 4 different litters were evaluated under different experimental conditions of blood sampling, grouping and adrenal stimulation. The results showed that the different techniques of blood sampling influenced lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. Cortisol, proteins and CK levels were negatively correlated with social hierarchy after regrouping. Cortisol was also correlated with total activity levels. Adrenal stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) administration caused a sharp increase in plasma cortisol levels. However, plasma glucose, plasma proteins and total leukocyte counts were not affected by the ACTH treatment.