Responses of dairy XXXX to alternating electrical current administered semirandomly in a nonavoidance environment.

@entity291 @entity6155
Eight Holstein @entity291 were assigned to two groups of four each, and a switchback design was used. Treatments were 4 mA of alternating current and no current. Four periods were each 96 h. Current was applied across subdermal electrodes, located on each @entity291 's spine for 30 s, with a 30-s rest period between exposures for 5 min. @entity291 received current every 4 h for four 24-h intervals. No individual @entity291 received current at the same time every day. @entity6155 yield was reduced .16 kg/milking by exposure to 4 mA current. This decrease was not statistically significant. Percent @entity6155 fat and @entity6155 protein were not changed by current. Overall numbers of @entity6155 somatic cells were variable during the experiment. They increased during exposure to current, yet the increase was not statistically significant. Overall mean feed consumption and water consumption were not affected by treatments. The greatest behavioral response to current was upon initial exposure. @entity291 became accustomed to shock within 24 h of exposure. By the end of the fourth 96-h period of exposure, behavioral responses to current were almost extinct. We conclude that exposing @entity291 to 4 mA of alternating current, in a semirandomized nonavoidance environment, for four consecutive 24-h intervals does not alter @entity6155 yield, @entity6155 composition, or intake of feed and water.
