PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO STRESS IN BOVINES SUBJECTED TO DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the main physiological responses to stress in cattle subjected to different management practices. To this end, a systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using descriptors related to stress, cattle management, and animal welfare. Ten scientific articles published between 2021 and 2025 that addressed physiological indicators such as cortisol, glucose, lactate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and other biomarkers associated with stress were selected. The results demonstrated that practices such as prolonged transport, inadequate handling in corrals, restraint, and exposure to thermal stress promote significant hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral changes, mainly characterized by increased levels of cortisol, glucose, lactate, and respiratory rate. Conversely, strategies such as rational handling, pre-transport conditioning, positive human-animal interaction, shading, and cooling contributed to the reduction of physiological stress indicators and the improvement of animal welfare. It is concluded that the adoption of appropriate management practices is fundamental to minimizing the effects of stress, promoting better health, well-being, and productive performance of cattle.