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Han C, Li M, Li F, Wang Z, Hu X, Yang Y, Wang H, Lv S. Temporary sensory separation of lamb groups from ewes affects behaviors and serum levels of stress-related indicators of small-tailed Han lambs. Physiol Behav 2024; 277:114504. [PMID: 38408718 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Under the current meat sheep breeding system, newborn lambs usually live with their mothers until weaning, and in daily management, they often need to be separated from their ewes for a short period due to dehorning, disease treatment, etc. Such short-term separation was considered to be a high-intensity stress for the lambs. This study aimed to explore the effects of 1 h sensory separations on behaviors and the concentration of stress-related indicators of small-tailed Han lambs. Lambs were assigned to four groups: auditory, visual, and tactile separation (AVT) group; visual and tactile separation (VT) group; tactile separation (T) group; and control (C) group. Then they were separated from their mothers for one hour on postnatal days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. Results showed the separated lambs (AVT, VT, and T groups) spent less time lying down relaxing and more time looking around, exploring, vocalizing, and attempting to escape (P < 0.05). Lambs separated by lack of tactile contact only exhibited the most escaping and moving behavior. Twin-born lambs showed less moving, escaping, and vocalizing than single-born lambs (P < 0.05). The separation also led to a rise in serum globulin levels and a decrease in tetraiodothyronine. In conclusion, this study showed that temporary 1 h ewe-lamb separations could affect behaviors and the serum levels of stress indicators of lambs. The behavioral responses were more obvious when lambs were separated by lack of tactile contact only, and in single-born lambs. It can conclude that indicated that when lambs need to be temporarily separated from ewes in daily management production, it would be better to let them stay together with their littermates, and make them avoid hearing or seeing the ewes, such management may partially reduce the separation stress, thereby improving the welfare and breeding efficiency of sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengquan Han
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Fukuan Li
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Zhennan Wang
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Xiyi Hu
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Linyi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Linyi, Shandong 276012, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China,.
| | - Shenjin Lv
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China,.
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Marini D, Monk JE, Campbell DL, Lee C, Belson S, Small A. Sex impacts pain behaviour but not emotional reactivity of lambs following ring tail docking. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15092. [PMID: 37009150 PMCID: PMC10064992 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in humans have shown sex differences in response to painful events, however, little is known in relation to sex differences in sheep. Understanding sex differences would enable improved experimental design and interpretation of studies of painful procedures in sheep. To examine sex differences in response to pain, 80 lambs were tested across five cohorts of 16. The lambs were penned in groups containing two male and two female lambs with their respective mothers. Lambs were randomly allocated from within each block to one of four treatment groups; FRing–Female lamb, ring tail docked without analgesia, MRing–Male lamb, ring tail docked without analgesia, FSham–Female lamb, tail manipulated and MSham–Male lamb, tail manipulated. Following treatment, lambs were returned to their pen and were video recorded for 45 mins for behavioural observations of acute pain and posture. An hour after treatment, lambs then underwent an emotional reactivity test that consisted of three phases: Isolation, Novelty and Startle. Following treatment, Ring lambs displayed more abnormal postures (mean = 2.5 ± 0.5) compared to Sham lambs (mean = 0.05 ± 0.4, P = 0.0001). There was an effect of sex on the display of acute pain-related behaviours in lambs that were tail docked (P < 0.001), with female lambs displaying more acute behaviours (mean count = +2.2). This difference in behaviour between sexes was not observed in Sham lambs. There was no effect of sex on display of postures related to pain (P = 0.99). During the Novelty and Startle phase of the emotional reactivity test, Ring lambs tended to (P = 0.084) or did (P = 0.018) show more fear related behaviours, respectively. However, no effect of sex was observed. The results of this study indicate that a pain state may alter the emotional response of lambs to novel objects and potential fearful situations. It was also demonstrated that female lambs display increased sensitivity to the acute pain caused by tail docking compared to males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Marini
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
- Davies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica E. Monk
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dana L.M. Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caroline Lee
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sue Belson
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison Small
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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Atkinson L, Doyle RE, Woodward A, Jongman EC. Exposure to humans after weaning does not reduce the behavioural reactivity of extensively reared Merino lambs. Behav Processes 2022; 201:104709. [PMID: 35878682 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human-directed fear in extensively reared sheep is often high due to the aversive nature of common husbandry procedures and infrequent interactions with humans. This study investigated whether additional human exposure provided to weaned lambs reduced human-directed fear and behavioural reactivity. Ninety Merino lambs were either exposed to low or moderately stressful human exposure sessions, or had no additional human contact, and their fear responses and behavioural reactivity to humans, a startle stimulus and confinement were tested. Overall, the imposed interventions did not reduce behavioural reactivity during these tests, suggesting fear towards humans had not been altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Atkinson
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, Building 400, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Rebecca E Doyle
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, Building 400, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Woodward
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ellen C Jongman
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, Building 400, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
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Ledezma-Torres R, Sánchez-Dávila F, Rodríguez-Miranda D, Luna-Palomera C, Grizelj J, Vázquez-Armijo J, López-Villalobos N. Sexual performance and semen quality of pubertal lambs treated with different weaning methods. Arch Anim Breed 2022; 65:259-265. [PMID: 36035875 PMCID: PMC9399914 DOI: 10.5194/aab-65-259-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the
weaning method on lamb stress, body weight, sexual behavior, and semen
quality of Saint Croix male lambs. The present study was carried out during
the late spring and summer of 2018 in the northeast of Mexico. Sixty male
lambs born as twins or triplets (3.2 ± 0.6 kg birth weight) and
weaned at 60 d of age (19.21 ± 1.8 kg weaning weight) were divided
into two weaning methods: complete separation from the dams (CS; the lambs
were moved to a pen that was at 500 m of distance from the dams) and
separation with contact from the dams (SCD); the lambs were physically
separated by a steel mesh that prevented the lambs from having the
possibility of sucking milk from their mothers, but they maintained
permanent visual and auditory contact. Cortisol levels were determined
3 d before and 7 d after weaning. Lambs were evaluated as 3-month-old lambs for sexual behavior and semen quality for 9 weeks. The
effects of the weaning method (M), week (W), and the interaction M × W were
significant on body weight and cortisol levels (P<0.001). The SCD
lambs had higher cortisol levels at 3, 5, and 7 d after weaning than CS
lambs (P<0.001). The CS lambs had higher body weight during the
first 4 weeks after weaning than SCD lambs (P<0.001). The weaning
method had no effect on scrotal circumference, sexual behavior, and semen
quality traits, except for progressive sperm motility, being better for the
lambs that were completely separated (P<0.05). The results from
this study show that complete separation of lambs and ewes at weaning is an
effective method to reduce lamb stress and improve lamb growth after
weaning, but it did not have long-term effects on sexual behavior and semen
quality of Saint Croix male lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Alejandro Ledezma-Torres
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria
y Zootecnia, Posgrado Conjunto FA-FMVZ, General Escobedo, CP
66050, Mexico
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Dávila
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Agronomía,
Posgrado Conjunto FA-FMVZ, Laboratorio de Reproducción Animal, Unidad
Académica Marín, Marín, CP 66700, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Luna-Palomera
- Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Villahermosa, Tabasco, CP 86280, México
| | - Juraj Grizelj
- Universidad de Zagreb, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Nicolás López-Villalobos
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de
México, Centro Universitario Temascaltepec, Temascaltepec,
CP 51300, Mexico
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North
4442, New Zealand
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Animal-Based Indicators for On-Farm Welfare Assessment in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102973. [PMID: 34679992 PMCID: PMC8532706 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary As we keep and use sheep, we need to be able to assess their welfare and deal with welfare problems as they arise. To assess welfare, a comprehensive protocol based on valid and feasible indicators is needed. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature and identify protocols and indicators for assessing the welfare of sheep. We identified promising protocols, well-known and established indicators, such as lameness or body condition score, as well as novel indicators that still need to be evaluated to prove their validity, such as pruritic behaviour or resting time. This review provides a starting point for the development of valid and feasible on-farm protocols using animal-based indicators to assess sheep welfare. Abstract The value society assigns to animal welfare in agricultural productions is increasing, resulting in ever-enhancing methods to assess the well-being of farm animals. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature to obtain an overview of the current knowledge on welfare assessments for sheep and to extract animal-based welfare indicators as well as welfare protocols with animal-based indicators. By title and abstract screening, we identified five protocols and 53 potential indicators from 55 references. Three out of the five protocols include animal-based as well as resource-based indicators. All of them were assessed as being practicable on-farm but lacking reliability. Some of the single indicators are endorsed by the literature and widely used in the field like assessment of behaviour, lameness or body condition score. Others (e.g., Faffa Malan Chart FAMACHA©, dag score or pain assessment) are regularly mentioned in the literature, but their reliability and usefulness are still subject of discussion. Several indicators, such as pruritic behaviour, eye condition, lying time or tooth loss are relatively new in the literature and still lack evidence for their validity and usefulness. This literature review serves as a starting point for the development of valid and practicable welfare protocols for sheep.
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Hazard D, Macé T, Kempeneers A, Delval E, Foulquié D, Bouix J, Boissy A. Genetic parameters estimates for ewes' behavioural reactivity towards their litter after lambing. J Anim Breed Genet 2020; 137:374-383. [PMID: 32196784 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In livestock, improving maternal reactivity towards the litter is an important issue in breeding strategies to promote production and animal welfare. As of yet, no studies have investigated the within-breed genetic variation of maternal reactivity in sheep. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of maternal reactivity traits. A total of 1,095 primiparous and 1,441 multiparous Romane ewes were phenotyped 24 hr postlambing using a behavioural test (arena test, AT) over a 10-year experimental period. The test consisted of three successive phases evaluating the ewe's attraction to her litter, reactivity to separation from her litter, and reactivity to a conflict between attraction to her litter and avoidance of a motionless human. The ewes were reared exclusively on rangelands (South of France) and lambed outdoors in the spring. High-pitched bleating and low-pitched bleating in the AT were mostly highly heritable (0.39-0.46). Heritabilities were moderate for proximity to the litter in the presence of a human (0.27) and low for locomotion and vigilance in the AT (0.09-0.15). The measurements of a given behaviour in the three phases of the AT were highly genetically correlated. Few genetic correlations were found between the different behavioural traits in the AT, the highest correlations being between high-pitched bleating and low-pitched bleating (-0.43 to -0.77). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate moderate-to-high heritability for maternal reactivity traits. These traits could be included in genetic selection schemes to enhance maternal attachment provided there is no unfavourable link with other production traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Hazard
- GenPhySE (Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage), INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Tiphaine Macé
- GenPhySE (Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage), INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Amandine Kempeneers
- GenPhySE (Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage), INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Eric Delval
- INRAE UMR1213 Herbivores, Université de Clermont, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Didier Foulquié
- INRAE UE321 Domaine de la Fage, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France
| | - Jacques Bouix
- GenPhySE (Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage), INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alain Boissy
- INRAE UMR1213 Herbivores, Université de Clermont, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
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Thermography as a Non-Invasive Measure of Stress and Fear of Humans in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8090146. [PMID: 30134557 PMCID: PMC6162773 DOI: 10.3390/ani8090146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The ability to non-invasively measure fear is an essential component of animal welfare assessment. Infrared thermography (IRT) was used to obtain images from five Sarda breed ewes during restraint and immediately after two voluntary animal approach (VAA) tests. Our preliminary results suggest that IRT, combined with behavioral data, is a non-invasive technique that can be useful to assess stress and infer about negative emotions in sheep. Abstract No data have been published on the use of infrared thermography (IRT) to evaluate sheep emotions. We assessed whether this technique can be used as a non-invasive measure of negative emotions. Two voluntary animal approach (VAA) tests were conducted (and filmed) on five ewes before and after being restrained. The restraining process was performed by a handler for five minutes. IRT was used during restraint and the VAA tests. The lacrimal caruncle temperature was significantly higher during restraint and in the VAA test after the restraint compared with the VAA test before the restraint (Wilcoxon’s test; p = 0.04). The latency period until first contact was longer in the second VAA test (132 s) than in the first one (60 s). Our preliminary results suggest that IRT, combined with behavioral data, is a non-invasive technique that can be useful to assess stress and infer about negative emotions in sheep.
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Njisane YZ, Muchenje V. Farm to abattoir conditions, animal factors and their subsequent effects on cattle behavioural responses and beef quality - A review. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2017; 30:755-764. [PMID: 27608639 PMCID: PMC5411837 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The current review seeks to highlight the concerns that have been raised on pre-slaughter stress, contributing factors and its consequent effects on cattle behavioural responses and the quality of beef; inter-linking the activities involved from birth to slaughter. Such information is crucial in light of the consumer concerns on overall animal welfare, quality of meat and food security. Slaughter animals are exposed to different conditions during production and transportation to abattoirs on a daily basis. However; the majority of studies that have been done previously singled out different environments in the meat production chain, while conclusions have been made that the welfare of slaughter animals and the quality of meat harvested from them is dependent on the whole chain. Behaviour is a critical component used to evaluate the animals' wellbeing and it has been reported to have an effect on product quality. Apart from the influence of on-farm, transportation and abattoir conditions, the genetic background of the animal also affects how it perceives and responds to certain encounters. Stress activates the animals' hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, triggering release of various stress hormones such as catecholamines and cortisol, thus glycogen depletion prior slaughter, elevated ultimate pH and poor muscle-meat conversion. Pre-slaughter stress sometimes results to cattle attaining bruises, resulting to the affected parts of the carcass being trimmed and condemned for human consumption, downgrading of the carcass and thus profit losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonela Zifikile Njisane
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Voster Muchenje
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
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Orihuela A, Averós X, Solano J, Clemente N, Estevez I. Effect of available space and previous contact in the social integration of Saint Croix and Suffolk ewes. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1238-49. [PMID: 27065284 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction in tropical sheep is not affected by season, whereas the reproductive cycle of temperate-climate breeds such as Suffolk depends on the photoperiod. Close contact with tropical ewes during the anestrous period might induce Suffolk ewes to cycle, making the use of artificial light or hormonal treatments unnecessary. However, the integration of both breeds within the social group would be necessary to trigger this effect, and so the aim of the experiment was to determine the speed of integration of 2 groups of Saint Croix and Suffolk ewes into a single flock, according to space allowance and previous experience. For this, 6 groups of 10 ewes (half from each breed) from both breeds, housed at 2 or 4 m/ewe (3 groups/treatment) and with or without previous contact with the other breed, were monitored for 3 d. Each observation day, the behavior, movement, and use of space of ewes were collected during 10 min at 1-h intervals between 0900 and 1400 h. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test the effects of breed, space allowance, and previous experience on behavior, movement, and use of space. Net distances, interbreed farthest neighbor distance, mean interbreed distance, and walking frequencies were greater at 4 m/ewe ( < 0.05). Intrabreed nearest neighbor, mean intrabreed neighbor, and interbreed nearest neighbor distances and minimum convex polygons at 4 m/ewe were greatest for Saint Croix ewes, whereas the opposite was found for lying down ( < 0.05). Experienced ewes showed larger intrabreed nearest neighbor distances, minimum convex polygons, and home range overlapping ( < 0.05). Experienced ewes at 4 m/ewe showed longest total distances and step lengths and greatest movement activity ( < 0.05). Experienced ewes walked longer total distances during Day 1 and 2 ( < 0.05). Lying down frequency was greater for Day 3 than Day 1 ( < 0.05), and Suffolk ewes kept longer interindividual distances during Day 1 ( < 0.05). After 3 d of cohabitation, Suffolk and Saint Croix ewes did not fully integrate into a cohesive flock, with each breed displaying specific behavioral patterns. Decreasing space allowance and previous experience resulted in limited benefits for the successful group cohesion. Longer cohabitation periods might result in complete integration, although practical implementation might be difficult.
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Hazard D, Bouix J, Chassier M, Delval E, Foulquié D, Fassier T, Bourdillon Y, François D, Boissy A. Genotype by environment interactions for behavioral reactivity in sheep1. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1459-71. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Gavojdian D, Cziszter LT, Budai C, Kusza S. Effects of behavioral reactivity on production and reproduction traits in Dorper sheep breed. J Vet Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Guesdon V, Meurisse M, Chesneau D, Picard S, Lévy F, Chaillou E. Behavioral and endocrine evaluation of the stressfulness of single-pen housing compared to group-housing and social isolation conditions. Physiol Behav 2015; 147:63-70. [PMID: 25865708 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of neuroendocrine responses is often studied in animals housed indoors in individual contiguous pens. In sheep, these housing conditions are used to control the environment, facilitate biological sampling and limit social stress. However, this type of housing also prevents exploratory behaviors and could induce stereotypies, non-compliant with welfare and possibly associated with a state of stress. In this context, we investigated the impact of housing in a single-pen, with other familiar conspecifics, on emotional state by evaluating behavioral, hormonal and neuronal measures in adult ewes. We hypothesized that emotional state would be more negative in animals housed in a single-pen for one week (Pen) than in freely moving animals (Free) but less negative than in socially isolated subjects (Isol). We tested our hypothesis in ovariectomized ewes to avoid the interaction with sexual steroid variations. Our behavioral, endocrine and neuronal (Fos activation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus) measures confirmed that withdrawing familiar conspecifics was sufficient to induce strong stress responses in Isol ewes, but there was no indication that Pen ewes were stressed. However, the latter showed less mastication activity than Free ewes, probably due to limited accessibility to straw. The highest plasma prolactin levels were observed in Isol and Free animals, which might result from stress and physical activity, respectively. In Free ewes, plasma dopamine was low, consistent with its inhibitory control of prolactin. However, Isol animals had both high levels of prolactin and dopamine, suggesting a dysregulated balance in socially stressed ewes. As in other species, we suggest that the regulation of prolactin by dopamine varies with stress and/or social context. Overall, this study shows that the impact of housing conditions on different neuroendocrine systems should be considered more in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryse Meurisse
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR 6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Didier Chesneau
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR 6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sophie Picard
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR 6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Frédéric Lévy
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR 6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Elodie Chaillou
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR 6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
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Barnard S, Matthews LR, Messori S, Podaliri Vulpiani M, Ferri N. Behavioural reactivity of ewes and lambs during partial and total social isolation. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Facilities, breed and experience affect ease of sheep handling: the livestock transporter’s perspective. Animal 2015; 9:1379-85. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731115000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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15
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Hazard D, Moreno C, Foulquié D, Delval E, François D, Bouix J, Sallé G, Boissy A. Identification of QTLs for behavioral reactivity to social separation and humans in sheep using the OvineSNP50 BeadChip. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:778. [PMID: 25204347 PMCID: PMC4171556 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current trends in sheep farming practices rely on animals with a greater level of behavioral autonomy than before, a phenotype that actively contributes to the sustainability of animal production. Social reactivity and reactivity to humans are relevant behavioral traits in sheep, known for their strong gregariousness and weak tolerance to handling, which have previously been reported with moderate to high heritabilities. To identify loci underlying such behaviors, we performed a genome study in Romane lambs. Results The experiment was carried out on 934 male and female lambs allocated into 9 half-sib families (average of 103 lambs per family) and reared outside. After weaning, all the lambs were individually exposed to 4 standardized behavioral tests combining social isolation, exposure to humans or handling, confinement and novelty (i.e. arena test, corridor test, isolation box test, shearing test). A broad range of behaviors including vocalizations, locomotion, vigilance and flight distance, as well as the cortisol response to handling, were collected. All lambs were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip. QTL detection was performed by linkage, association and joint linkage and association analyses using the QTLmap software. Five main QTL regions were identified on sheep chromosomes (Ovis Aries Region, OAR) 12, 16, 19, 21 and 23 among many other QTLs with small to moderate effects. The QTLs on OAR12, 16 and 21 showed significant associations with social reactivity. The QTLs on OAR19 and 23 were found to be associated with reactivity to humans. No overlapping QTLs were identified for the different traits measured in the behavioral tests, supporting the hypothesis that different genetic factors influence social reactivity and tolerance to humans. Conclusion The results of this study using ovine SNP data suggest that in domestic sheep the behavioral responses to social separation and exposure to humans are under polygenic influence. The most relevant QTLs reported in the present study contain interesting candidate genes previously described to be associated with various emotional and social behaviors in mammals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-778) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Hazard
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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Njisane YZ, Muchenje V. Influence of Municipal Abattoir Conditions and Animal-related Factors on Avoidance-related Behaviour, Bleeding Times at Slaughter and the Quality of Lamb Meat. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2014; 26:1496-503. [PMID: 25049733 PMCID: PMC4093064 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of municipal abattoir conditions and animal factors on avoidance-related behaviour (AB) of sheep at slaughter, bleeding times (BT) and mutton quality. The behaviour of 66 castrates and 19 ewes of different age categories was observed at three stages of slaughter. Higher behaviour scores indicated higher levels of AB. Time intervals between the start of blood flow and the time the flow changed from a constant stream into drips were recorded as BT. Thirty two meat samples were obtained to measure quality variables. These were colour (L*, a* and b*), pH24, temperature, cooking loss (CL) and tenderness. Correlations were determined between BT and meat quality variables. Animal behaviour at slaughter differed with breed, gender and age group. Avoidance behaviour was higher in the Dorper breed than in both the Merino breed and their crosses. It was also higher in younger (<10 months) lambs than in older sheep. Castrates were more aggressive or in panic than ewes. Castrates had longer (72.6±0.53 s) BT than the ewes (63.6±2.82 s). Ewes had higher CL (39.8±1.04%) values than castrates (35.1±0.95%). Meat from castrates was tougher (32.6±1.95 N) than the meat from ewes (24.3±1.16 N). There were no significant correlations obtained between BT and meat quality variables. It can therefore be concluded that abattoir conditions, breed, age and gender had an effect on AB at slaughter. Gender had an effect on BT and mutton quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonela Z Njisane
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag x1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Voster Muchenje
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag x1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
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17
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Dodd C, Hocking Edwards J, Hazel S, Pitchford W. Flight speed and agitation in weaned lambs: Genetic and non-genetic effects and relationships with carcass quality. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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18
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Robinson JE, Evans NP, Dumbell R, Solbakk AK, Ropstad E, Haraldsen IRH. Effects of inhibition of gonadotropin releasing hormone secretion on the response to novel objects in young male and female sheep. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 40:130-9. [PMID: 24485485 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the actions of blocking the GnRH receptor using a specific agonist on the response of male and female sheep to a novel object placed in their pen. The study is part of a series performed on 46 same sex twin animals. One of the pair received a subcutaneous implant of the GnRH agonist Goserelin acetate every four weeks while the other remained untreated. Implantation began immediately prior to puberty; at 8 weeks in the males and 28 weeks in the females (as timing of puberty is sex specific). To determine the effects of agonist treatment on the reproductive axis blood samples were collected for measurement of testosterone in the males and progesterone in the females. In addition the volume of the scrotum was determined. The present study aimed to determine whether there are sexually differentiated behavioural responses to a novel object at different stages of brain development (8, 28 and 48 weeks of age) and whether these responses are altered by GnRHa treatment. Approach behaviour towards and interactions with the novel object were monitored as was the number of vocalisations per unit time during the test period. GnRHa treatment suppressed testosterone concentrations and testicular growth in the males and progesterone release in the females. Sheep vocalised significantly more prior to weaning (8 weeks of age) than post weaning (28 and 48 weeks of age) suggesting stress on separation from their dams. Our current study shows that males are more likely to leave their conspecifics to approach a novel object than females. As this behaviour was not altered by suppression of the reproductive axis we suggest that, although sex differences are more obviously expressed in the phenotype after puberty, these may be developed during adolescence but not primarily altered during puberty by sex hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Robinson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK.
| | - Neil P Evans
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Rebecca Dumbell
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Anne-Kristin Solbakk
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ira Ronit Hebold Haraldsen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Measures of behavioural reactivity and their relationships with production traits in sheep: A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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20
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Guesdon V, Ligout S, Delagrange P, Spedding M, Lévy F, Laine AL, Malpaux B, Chaillou E. Multiple exposures to familiar conspecific withdrawal is a novel robust stress paradigm in ewes. Physiol Behav 2011; 105:203-8. [PMID: 21871471 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Paradigms used so far to study the effects of social isolation in sheep confound the effects of social isolation with those of other stressors (e.g. new environment) and showed contradictory effects after multiple social isolations. We propose here to characterize and examine the repeatable effects of social isolation induced by the familiar conspecific withdrawal (FCW). This latter test consists of socially isolating the ewe by the removal of group mates from the room test for 3 h. Behavioral and endocrine responses of adult ovariectomized-estradiol implanted ewes were compared 90 min before and 90 min after FCW, which was applied three times every fourteen days. We observed that each FCW induced significant increases in plasma cortisol level, in the number of vocalizations, foot pawing, circling attempts and a significant decrease in time spent lying down. An increase in plasma cortisol levels and decrease in duration of maintenance behaviors were significantly lower after the third FCW than after the first one. These differences could be explained by higher plasma cortisol levels and lower duration of maintenance behaviors before the third FCW than before the first FCW suggesting an anticipation of the social isolation period. These data indicate that social isolation is sufficient to induce distress with stable stressful responses after multiple exposures to familiar conspecific withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Guesdon
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
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21
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Early sexual experience and stressful conditions affect the response of young ewes to the male. Physiol Behav 2010; 99:457-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2009] [Revised: 12/05/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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22
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Pedernera-Romano C, Ruiz de la Torre JL, Badiella L, Manteca X. Effect of perphenazine enanthate on open-field test behaviour and stress-induced hyperthermia in domestic sheep. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2009; 94:329-32. [PMID: 19799930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Revised: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The open-field test (OFT) and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) have been used to measure individual differences in fear. The present study has been designed as a pharmacological validation of OFT and SIH as indicators of fear in sheep using perphenazine enanthate (PPZ), a long-acting neuroleptic. Twenty four ewes of two breeds, Lacaune and Ripollesa, were tested in an arena measuring 5mx2.5m. Treatment group received one dose of 1.5mg/kg of PPZ and control group received sterile sesame oil. All animals were tested for 10min and behaviours were recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the test. SIH was defined as the difference between T2 and T1. Sheep were tested on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 after PPZ injection. Variables were analysed using a mixed model. PPZ decreased bleats on days 2, 3, 4 and the SIH response on days 2 and 3. Breed differences were observed. Treated animals showed positive correlations between SIH and bleats; squares entered; attempts to escape and negative correlation between SIH and visits to the food bucket. Our results suggest that behaviour and SIH on the OFT are useful measures of fear in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pedernera-Romano
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
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23
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Van Reenen C, Hopster H, Van der Werf J, Engel B, Buist W, Jones R, Blokhuis H, Korte S. The benzodiazepine brotizolam reduces fear in calves exposed to a novel object test. Physiol Behav 2009; 96:307-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2008] [Revised: 10/09/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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24
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Reactivity to humans: A temperament trait of horses which is stable across time and situations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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25
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Lansade L, Bouissou MF, Erhard HW. Fearfulness in horses: A temperament trait stable across time and situations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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26
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Davis KA, Schmidt JB, Doescher RM, Satterlee DG. Fear responses of offspring from divergent quail stress response line hens treated with corticosterone during egg formation. Poult Sci 2008; 87:1303-13. [PMID: 18577609 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2008-00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased fearfulness has been associated with adrenocortical activation. Maternal corticosterone (B) treatment increases egg B, and elevated B in ovo enhances chick avoidance of humans. Quail selected for exaggerated (high stress, HS) rather than reduced (low stress, LS) plasma B response to stress are more fearful, and more B is found in HS hen eggs. Thus, we used tonic immobility (TI) and hole-in-the-wall box (HWB) emergence tests to assess fear in chicks hatched from eggs of LS and HS hens implanted with B or no B (CON). The number of inductions required to attain TI, latency to first alert head movement, and duration of TI were determined in one study and the latency until first vocalization (LATVOC), numbers of vocalizations (VOCS), proportions of chicks vocalizing, and the latencies to head (HE) and full-body (FE) emergence from a HWB were assessed in another. The LS chicks required less inductions (P < 0.0005) and had shorter latency to first alert head movement (P < 0.02) than HS chicks, although the duration of TI was unaffected by any of the treatments. During the acclimation period of the HWB tests, more (proportions of chicks vocalizing; P < 0.0001) HS chicks alarm-called sooner (LATVOC; P < 0.0001) and more often (VOCS; P < 0.0001) than did LS chicks, and, although maternal implant treatment did not affect LATVOC, progeny of B-implanted hens showed a tendency toward less (P < 0.07) VOCS than the CON. Chicks hatched from eggs of B-implant mothers also took longer to achieve HE (P < 0.06) and FE (P < 0.05) from the HWB than did their CON counterparts. Stress line, implantation treatment, and their interaction did not alter HE or FE responses. The data suggest that quail stress line genome may or may not be affecting certain fear and alarm responses in chicks via the same mechanism(s) that underlies how elevating maternal B increases egg levels of B that in turn alters the fear behavior of progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Davis
- Applied Animal Biotechnology Laboratories, School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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27
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Wolf BT, McBride SD, Lewis RM, Davies MH, Haresign W. Estimates of the genetic parameters and repeatability of behavioural traits of sheep in an arena test. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Lansade L, Bouissou MF, Erhard HW. Reactivity to isolation and association with conspecifics: A temperament trait stable across time and situations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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29
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Beausoleil NJ, Blache D, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Noble AD. Exploring the basis of divergent selection for ‘temperament’ in domestic sheep. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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30
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Lansade L, Bouissou MF, Boivin X. Temperament in preweanling horses: development of reactions to humans and novelty, and startle responses. Dev Psychobiol 2007; 49:501-13. [PMID: 17577236 DOI: 10.1002/dev.20233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the development and the stability across situations and over time of three temperament traits in young foals: propensity to react to humans, propensity to react to novelty, and propensity to react to suddenness. In a comparative study, we examined the reactions of animals in three independent groups (N = 27) tested at 3, 12, and 24 weeks of age, respectively. We observed that human avoidance and novel object approach behaviors are quasi inexistent in the group tested at 3 weeks, but are more and more present in the groups tested at subsequent ages. In a longitudinal study, we tested 48 foals successively at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks of age. Since reactions appear progressively with time, no stability over time or across situations was found. However, once a foal manifests a behavioral reaction at a given age, it will always reproduce this reaction subsequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lansade
- Laboratoire de Comportement Animal UMR 6175 INRA-CNRS Université de Tours-Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
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31
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Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ. Does direct human eye contact function as a warning cue for domestic sheep (Ovis aries)? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 120:269-79. [PMID: 16893264 DOI: 10.1037/0735-7036.120.3.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Direct eye contact may function as a warning cue during interspecific interactions, and human staring has been shown to influence the behavior of many species. The authors used an arena test to assess whether human staring altered the behavior of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) compared with no human eye contact. Sheep glanced at the staring human's face more often in the first 2 min of the test, indicating that they perceived a difference between the human stimuli. Staring also elicited more locomotor activity and urination than averted gaze. However, there were no differences in fear-related behaviors, suggesting that a staring human did not represent a greater immediate threat than a nonwatching human. These results imply that human staring is a warning cue for domestic sheep, but no more. Without further reinforcement, sheep quickly habituated to the warning cue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngaio J Beausoleil
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Massey University, 222 Palmerston North, New Zealand
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32
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Val-Laillet D, Simon M, Nowak R. A full belly and colostrum: Two major determinants of filial love. Dev Psychobiol 2004; 45:163-73. [PMID: 15505802 DOI: 10.1002/dev.20024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of filial bonding in sheep relies on the success of the first suckling bouts. Previous work has shown that colostrum ingestion facilitates the development of a preference for the mother. We conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of quantitative and qualitative factors linked to fluid ingestion. The first experiment demonstrated that the procedure was not detrimental to the mother-young interaction and did not cause any harm to the lamb. In a second experiment, lambs could interact with their dam, but were deprived of suckling during the first 12 hr after birth (The udder was covered.) and fed via a nasogastric tube in the presence of their mother on seven occasions. When tested in a two-choice test at 12 hr of age, lambs that received either colostrum or saline (total amount = 10% birth weight) spent more time near their own dam than near an alien ewe. When smaller volumes of fluids were used (5% birth weight), lambs that received colostrum showed a preference for their mother while those ingesting saline did not. The differences persisted at 24 hr even though all the lambs had access to the maternal udder from 12 hr onward, and these differences were not related to weight variations or body temperature. In the choice test, the motor skills and vocal activity of the lambs were not affected by the treatment nor were the behaviors of the ewes. The third experiment showed that colostrum, and saline to a lesser extent, reduces the number of vocalizations emitted by lambs compared to sham-intubated lambs, but did not otherwise influence mother-young interactions. This suggests that post-ingestive factors may facilitate the development of mother preference through a satiated or comforted state. This is the first evidence that depending on the amount of liquids ingested, a preferential relationship with the mother can be established via nutritional and nonnutritional signals originating from the gastrointestinal region, pointing out the major role played by the gut-brain axis in the development of filial bonding.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Val-Laillet
- Laboratoire de Comportement Animal, UMR 6175 CNRS-INRA, Université de Tours-Haras Nationaux, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
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