The link between positive animal welfare early in life and enhanced immune competence in dairy cows
Project overview
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Short summary
This project addressed how optimization of the social environment of young dairy calves on farms can be a powerful tool to enhance their abilities to cope with challenges and boost their immune competence.
In this project, we investigated how to optimize the social environment of calves that will eventually become dairy cows, in order to strengthen their immune systems and prepare them to cope with future challenges. Positive social interactions involving physical contact trigger the release of oxytocin, the mechanisms of which are believed to be linked to an improved immune system.
The hypothesis to be tested was that enhanced immunity is mediated by oxytocin release, resulting from pleasant experiences.
The specific aims were:
- To assess the effects of tactile stimulation on oxytocin release and its role as a mediator of neuroendocrine and immune capacity
- To assess how the early social environment affects calves' immune capacity, stress and behaviour
- To investigate the long-term effects of different rearing strategies on health, performance and social abilities in dairy cattle
This project took a multidisciplinary approach and involved close collaboration with leading research groups in the Netherlands and Ireland. The project was financed by Formas and is a part of Centre of Excellence in Animal Welfare Science.
Publications
Wenker, M.L., van Reenen, C.G., de Oliveira, D., McCrea. K., Verwer, C.M., Bokkers, E.A.M., 2021. Calf-directed affiliative behaviour of dairy cows in two types of cow-calf contact systems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Volume 243, October 2021, 105461.