Blood levels of hormones and metabolites, erythrocytes and leukocytes and respiration and pulse rate of heifers after alpage

Effects of alpage were investigated on 28 heifers (14 Braunvieh, 14 Black and White) during two summers in which half the animals were grazed on the mountains, and the other half stabled in the home farm. In a factorial design seven heifers were alped twice, seven not at all and the others spent either the first or the second summer on the mountain pasture. Effects were defined as direct when present in the subsequent farm period (i.e. autumn and winter) or carry-over when they occurred after the second alpage, as a consequence of mountain pasture in year 1. Growth on mountain pasture was reduced or negative, compensatory growth was observed both as a direct and as a carry-over effect. Respiration rate and pulse were reduced, and possibly even more as carry-over effect in alped cattle. Effects on blood values of cell and haemoglobin were less clear, rather positive but mostly statistically insignificant. Lactate, CK and LDH levels were decreased in alped heifers relative to home-managed ones. The exceptions are direct effects on LDH and carry-over effect on lactate. HDL-C is increased and NEFA decreased in alped heifers relative to farm-kept animals. Respiration and pulse rates, blood cell counts and haemoglobin levels in Friesian heifers were higher than in Braunvieh. Breed × management interactions were significant for several traits - differences between mountain- and farm-kept heifers were greater for Braunvieh for haemoglobin and NEFA and opposite in sign in the two breeds for HDL-C and LDH. The carry-over effects indicate long term influence of alpage which could benefit later health and sustainability.