Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40362087›Full record

ArticleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2025

Weaning as Stressor for Calf Welfare.

Cecilia Guasco, Martina Moriconi, Nicoletta Vitale, Francesca Fusi, Dáša Schleicherová, Elisabetta Razzuoli, Mario Vevey, Stefania Bergagna

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Cecilia GuascoIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
Martina MoriconiAzienda Sanitaria Territoriale di Ancona, Viale Cristoforo Colombo 106, 60100 Ancona, Italy.
Nicoletta VitaleIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
Francesca FusiItalian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1877-443X
Dáša SchleicherováIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
Elisabetta RazzuoliIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6597-475X
Mario VeveyAssociazione Nazionale Bovini di Razza Valdostana, Fraz. Favret, 5, 11020 Gressan, Italy.
Stefania BergagnaIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5390-4108

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Weaning is a critical period for calves, affecting their well-being, health, and productivity. The present study analyzed 61 calves to evaluate the effects of weaning as a stress factor by monitoring hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters. Blood samples were collected at the start of weaning at 130-135 days (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 (T2) days later, and finally at 150 days of age. The results showed changes in the levels of cortisol, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-8) and acute-phase proteins. Alterations in white blood cells were also observed, such as neutrophilia and lymphopenia, which are typical signs of an adverse stress response. Biochemically, the switch from milk to solid food caused imbalances in protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, indicating a relevant metabolic adaptation. Serum electrophoresis showed a decrease in albumin and an increase in γ-globulins, a sign of immune maturation. The results suggest that weaning is one of the most important stressors for calves, with both physiological and immune effects. However, this practice is necessary for breeding productivity. Future research could investigate the role of genetics and environment in weaning resilience to further optimize breeding practices.

Indexed as

analysisbloodcalvesimmune responsestressweaning

Identifiers

PMID40362087
PMCPMC12070843

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.