hypothalamicpituitary-
adrenocortical axis.
Protein catabolism accompanies elevations in plasma glucocorticoids and
explains the decrease in serum protein levels found following transport in cattle
(Wt~hler, 1971 ) and calves (Kent, 1977). Blood protein levels, therefore,
provide another indirect measurement of the effects of stress. An increase in
haematocrit following a journey has been noted (Kent, 1977) as a result of
dehydration and the effects of adrenaline. Further, increases in various blood
enzymes occur as a result of cell damage and leakage during stress. For instance,
Groth and Gr~inzer ( 1975 ) measured a significant increase in several
enzymes in calves weighing 107-165 kg and transported a distance of 266-
310 kin. Likewise, Agnes et al. ( 1972 ) and Deutschmann et al. ( 1976 ) found