Endocrine Abstracts

Transport of farm animals is considered as a key stress factor including multiple stressors as handling or fasting. In humans, compounds for the IGF-system are affected by acute or critical illness or stress. We have asked, if compounds from the IGF-system also may have biomarker potential in farm animals. A total of 80 pigs were transported for 2 h from a commercial finishing farm to the slaughterhouse. Blood samples from 40 pigs were taken before (basal levels) and after shi...