HACCP-compatible ear acupuncture using biodegradable starch-based needles mitigates transport-induced physiological and oxidative stress in calves

TL;DR

Using biodegradable needles for ear acupuncture reduces stress and improves welfare in calves during transport.

Contribution

A HACCP-compatible, drug-free method using biodegradable starch-based needles to mitigate transport stress in calves.

Findings

Acupuncture reduced heart rate and rectal temperature increases after transport.

Acupuncture improved oxidative balance with a higher BAP/d-ROMs ratio.

No adverse reactions were observed at needle insertion sites.

Abstract

Transportation is an unavoidable management practice in cattle production and is a major source of physiological, endocrine, and oxidative stress, leading to impaired welfare, immunity, and productivity. Drug-free and food-safety-compatible interventions to alleviate transport stress remain limited. Acupuncture has shown stress-reducing effects in livestock; however, conventional metal needles are incompatible with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. Recently developed biodegradable starch-based Circular transdermal needles (CTNs) offer a novel HACCP-compliant alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ear acupuncture using starch-based CTNs on transport-induced stress responses and oxidative status in calves.

Five clinically healthy male Holstein calves (3–4 months old) were subjected to a crossover experimental design involving a short-distance transport challenge (2 h 20 min). Calves received either ear acupuncture at the Jisen acupoints using starch-based CTNs or no treatment (control), with a washout period between treatments. Heart rate and rectal temperature were recorded, and blood samples were collected prior to transport (PRE), immediately after transport (POST1), and 2 days after transport (POST2). Serum stress markers (cortisol, catecholamines, oxytocin), oxidative stress indices (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites [d-ROMs], biological antioxidant potential [BAP], and BAP/d-ROMs ratio), and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Data were expressed as relative changes between time points and statistically evaluated at p < 0.05.

Acupuncture treatment suppressed post-transport increases in heart rate and rectal temperature compared with controls. Cortisol responses were attenuated in the acupuncture group, while oxytocin levels were consistently higher, indicating enhanced stress tolerance. Importantly, the BAP/d-ROMs ratio was significantly higher in acupuncture-treated calves at POST1 and POST2, reflecting improved oxidative balance and reduced oxidative stress. Although serum amyloid A increased slightly after acupuncture, no local inflammation or adverse reactions were observed at needle insertion sites.

Ear acupuncture using biodegradable starch-based CTNs effectively mitigated physiological, endocrine, and oxidative stress responses associated with short-distance transport in calves. This HACCP-compatible, drug-free approach represents a novel and practical strategy to enhance animal welfare and stress resilience in cattle production systems.

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