1
|
Malvasi A, Baldini GM, Cicinelli E, Di Naro E, Baldini D, Favilli A, Quellari PT, Sabbatini P, Fioretti B, Malgieri LE, Damiani GR, Dellino M, Trojano G, Tinelli A. Localization of Catecholaminergic Neurofibers in Pregnant Cervix as a Possible Myometrial Pacemaker. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5630. [PMID: 38891818 PMCID: PMC11171499 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115630] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In eutocic labor, the autonomic nervous system is dominated by the parasympathetic system, which ensures optimal blood flow to the uterus and placenta. This study is focused on the detection of the quantitative presence of catecholamine (C) neurofibers in the internal uterine orifice (IUO) and in the lower uterine segment (LUS) of the pregnant uterus, which could play a role in labor and delivery. A total of 102 women were enrolled before their submission to a scheduled cesarean section (CS); patients showed a singleton fetus in a cephalic presentation outside labor. During CS, surgeons sampled two serial consecutive full-thickness sections 5 mm in depth (including the myometrial layer) on the LUS and two randomly selected samples of 5 mm depth from the IUO of the cervix. All histological samples were studied to quantify the distribution of A nerve fibers. The authors demonstrated a significant and notably higher concentration of A fibers in the IUO (46 ± 4.8) than in the LUS (21 ± 2.6), showing that the pregnant cervix has a greater concentration of A neurofibers than the at-term LUS. Pregnant women's mechanosensitive pacemakers can operate normally when the body is in a physiological state, which permits normal uterine contractions and eutocic delivery. The increased frequency of C neurofibers in the cervix may influence the smooth muscle cell bundles' activation, which could cause an aberrant mechano-sensitive pacemaker activation-deactivation cycle. Stressful circumstances (anxiety, tension, fetal head position) cause the sympathetic nervous system to become more active, working through these nerve fibers in the gravid cervix. They might interfere with the mechano-sensitive pacemakers, slowing down the uterine contractions and cervix ripening, which could result in dystocic labor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Malvasi
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Giorgio Maria Baldini
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Ettore Cicinelli
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Edoardo Di Naro
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | | | - Alessandro Favilli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.F.); (P.T.Q.)
| | - Paola Tiziana Quellari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.F.); (P.T.Q.)
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via dell’Elce di Sotto 8, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (P.S.); (B.F.)
- ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Sabbatini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via dell’Elce di Sotto 8, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (P.S.); (B.F.)
| | - Bernard Fioretti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via dell’Elce di Sotto 8, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (P.S.); (B.F.)
| | | | - Gianluca Raffaello Damiani
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Miriam Dellino
- 1st Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari (BA), 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.M.B.); (E.C.); (E.D.N.); (G.R.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Giuseppe Trojano
- Department of Maternal and Child, Madonna delle Grazie Hospital ASM, 75100 Matera, Italy;
| | - Andrea Tinelli
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, CERICSAL (CEntro di RIcerca Clinico SALentino), “Veris delli Ponti Hospital”, 73020 Lecce, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kojima T, Huang CY, Yayou KI. Heart rate variability and behavioral alterations during prepartum period in dairy cows as predictors of calving: a preliminary study. Anim Biosci 2024; 37:944-951. [PMID: 38271967 PMCID: PMC11065709 DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parturition is crucial for dams, their calves, and cow managers. The prediction of calving time, which assists cow managers to decide on the relocation of cows to maternity pens and necessity of human supervision, is a pivotal aspect of livestock farming. However, existing methods of predicting calving time in dairy cows based on hormonal changes and clinical symptoms are time-consuming and yield unreliable predictions. Accordingly, we investigated whether heart rate variability (HRV) which is a non-invasive assessment of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and behavior during the prepartum period would be useful for predicting calving time in dairy cows. METHODS Eight pregnant cows were surveilled under electrocardiogram and video recordings for HRV and behavioral analyses, respectively. HRV parameters in time and frequency domains were evaluated. A 24-h time budget was calculated for each of six types of behavior (standing and lying with or without rumination, sleeping, and eating). RESULTS Heart rate on calving day is considerably higher than those recorded on the days preceding calving. Low frequency power declined, whereas high frequency power escalated on the calving day compared to the period between 24 and 48 h before calving. The time budget for ruminating while lying decreased and that while standing increased markedly on the calving day compared to those allocated on the preceding days; nonetheless, the total time budget for ruminating did not differ during the prepartum period. CONCLUSION We elucidated the ANS activity and behavioral profiles during prepartum period. Our results confirm that HRV parameters and behavior are useful for predicting calving time, and interestingly indicate that the time budget for ruminating while standing (or lying) may serve as a valuable predictor of calving. Collectively, our findings lay the foundation for future investigations to determine other potential predictors and formulate an algorithm for predicting calving time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Kojima
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901,
Japan
- Animal Husbandry Division, Aichi Agricultural Research Center, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1193,
Japan
| | - Chen-Yu Huang
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901,
Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Yayou
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901,
Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Huang CY, Kojima T, Yayou KI. Comparison of behavioral and physiological changes in postpartum healthy and inflammatory diseased cows. Anim Sci J 2024; 95:e13960. [PMID: 38807417 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13960] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
During parturition, cows often experience intense pain and stress, which increases the risk of inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to compare the postpartum health status between healthy cows and those diagnoses with inflammatory diseases by examining behavioral and heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) changes, to provide information before the onset of disease. Eight Holstein cows were used in this study. HR, parameters of HRV (low-frequency power: LF; high-frequency power: HF; LF/HF ratio, and total power) and time budget of individual maintenance behaviors (standing, recumbency, feeding, rumination while standing and lying, and sleep) were continuously recorded from 0 to 168 h postpartum. Milk and blood samples were collected daily. Cows were categorized as diseases based on the positive result of California mastitis test and/or serum haptoglobin concentration that exceeded 50 μg/ml after all blood samples have been collected. Compared to healthy individuals (n = 3), diseased cows (n = 5) exhibited higher HR, LF/HF, and lower total power (p < 0.05), suggesting the dominance of the sympathetic nervous system in cows with inflammatory diseases. Additionally, diseased cows showed an increased standing time budget and reduced recumbency (p < 0.05), which may be a behavioral strategy in response to discomfort from inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yu Huang
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomoki Kojima
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
- Animal Husbandry Division, Aichi Agricultural Research Center, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yayou
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu XD, Yan HJ, Xu YM, Zhao SY, Zhang XD, Lv L, Zhu KL. Effect and mechanism of needleless transcutaneous neuromodulation on gastrointestinal function after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Scand J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:133-141. [PMID: 37752679 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2261060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal motility disorders tend to develop after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the impact of needleless transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) on the postoperative recuperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and (2) to explore the underlying mechanisms by which TN facilitates the recovery of gastrointestinal function after PD. METHODS A total of 41 patients scheduled for PD were randomized into two groups: the TN group (n = 21) and the Sham-TN group (n = 20). TN was performed at acupoints ST-36 and PC-6 twice daily for 1 h from the postoperative day 1 (POD1) to day 7. Sham-TN was performed at non-acupoints. Subsequent assessments incorporated both heart rate variation and dynamic electrogastrography to quantify alterations in vagal activity (HF) and gastric pacing activity. RESULTS 1)TN significantly decreased the duration of the first passage of flatus (p < 0.001) and defecation (p < 0.01) as well as the time required to resume diet (p < 0.001) when compared to sham-TN;2)Compared with sham-TN, TN increased the proportion of regular gastric pacing activity (p < 0.01);3) From POD1 to POD7, there was a discernible augmentation in HF induced by TN stimulation(p < 0.01);4) TN significantly decreased serum IL-6 levels from POD1 to POD7 (p < 0.001);5) TN was an independent predictor of shortened hospital stay(β = - 0.349, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION Needleless TN accelerates the recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduces the risk of delayed gastric emptying in patients after PD by enhancing vagal activity and controlling the inflammatory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Wu
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Huan-Jun Yan
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yue-Mei Xu
- Gastroenterology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shuang-Ying Zhao
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Li- Lv
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke-Lei Zhu
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yoshida M, Momita K, Kuwahara M, Kasuya E, Sutoh M, Yayou KI. Behavior and heart rate variability after intranasal administration of oxytocin in Holstein steers. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:956-963. [PMID: 37495517 PMCID: PMC10539827 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0323] [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] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that regulates memory, emotion, stress response, and behavior in the brain. In our previous study with cattle, we demonstrated the anti-stress effect of intracerebroventricularly administered OXT on the central nervous system. However, it is important to investigate the effects of this peptide after intranasal administration, as it offers convenience and non-invasiveness for practical use. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of intranasal OXT on the behavior and autonomic nervous system of Holstein steers. The experiment followed a within-subjects design, including a total of six steers. Each steer received intranasal administration of either 1 mL of saline (SAL), 100 µg OXT (OXT100), or 200 µg OXT (OXT200). However, due to some issues, the sample size for the OXT200 group was reduced to five. After these treatments, we conducted electrocardiography recordings to analyze heart rate variability (HRV) and also made behavioral observations for 90 min. OXT200 tended to increase the time spent ruminating while lying down (Steel's multiple comparison test; P=0.053). In contrast, OXT treatment did not affect HRV indices. In conclusion, the current OXT dosage did not significantly affects behavior or the autonomic nervous system. However, the observed tendency to increase rumination may suggest a central effect of OXT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Yoshida
- Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Chiba Prefecture Agricultural Mutual Aid Union Federation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kosuke Momita
- School of Agriculture, Tokai University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Megmilk Snow Brand, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kuwahara
- Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Kasuya
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Madoka Sutoh
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yayou
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Erickson EN, Gotlieb N, Pereira LM, Myatt L, Mosquera-Lopez C, Jacobs PG. Predicting labor onset relative to the estimated date of delivery using smart ring physiological data. NPJ Digit Med 2023; 6:153. [PMID: 37598232 PMCID: PMC10439919 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-023-00902-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from pregnancy into parturition is physiologically directed by maternal, fetal and placental tissues. We hypothesize that these processes may be reflected in maternal physiological metrics. We enrolled pregnant participants in the third-trimester (n = 118) to study continuously worn smart ring devices monitoring heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, sleep and physical activity from negative temperature coefficient, 3-D accelerometer and infrared photoplethysmography sensors. Weekly surveys assessed labor symptoms, pain, fatigue and mood. We estimated the association between each metric, gestational age, and the likelihood of a participant's labor beginning prior to (versus after) the clinical estimated delivery date (EDD) of 40.0 weeks with mixed effects regression. A boosted random forest was trained on the physiological metrics to predict pregnancies that naturally passed the EDD versus undergoing onset of labor prior to the EDD. Here we report that many raw sleep, activity, pain, fatigue and labor symptom metrics are correlated with gestational age. As gestational age advances, pregnant individuals have lower resting heart rate 0.357 beats/minute/week, 0.84 higher heart rate variability (milliseconds) and shorter durations of physical activity and sleep. Further, random forest predictions determine pregnancies that would pass the EDD with accuracy of 0.71 (area under the receiver operating curve). Self-reported symptoms of labor correlate with increased gestational age and not with the timing of labor (relative to EDD) or onset of spontaneous labor. The use of maternal smart ring-derived physiological data in the third-trimester may improve prediction of the natural duration of pregnancy relative to the EDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise N Erickson
- College of Nursing / College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Midwifery Division, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | | | - Leonardo M Pereira
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Leslie Myatt
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Clara Mosquera-Lopez
- Artificial Intelligence for Medical Systems (AIMS) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Peter G Jacobs
- Artificial Intelligence for Medical Systems (AIMS) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jaśkowski JM, Jaśkowski BM, Herudzińska M, Tul O, Ciorga M. Contemporary Knowledge on the Assessment of Temperament in Cattle and Its Impact on Production and Reproduction Including Some Immunological, Genetic and Metabolic Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1944. [PMID: 37370453 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperament is associated with the well-being, health, production and reproduction of cattle. In order to increase the population of individuals with the desired temperament, its evaluation should be standardized and be made one of the obligatory elements of breeding and veterinary examination. A number of different tests are used for temperament assessment. In this article, the importance of temperament correlation with some metabolic, genetic, immunological, production and reproductive parameters have been shown, pointing at its influence on the economy and cattle handling. The most common methods for assessing the temperament of cattle are presented, including long-time scales of temperament assessment. At the same time, the relationship of the temperament of cattle with production efficiency, immunity and reproductive indicators has been shown, indicating that its correct assessment is an important aspect of the proper development of the herd and the associated economic growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jędrzej M Jaśkowski
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej M Jaśkowski
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Herudzińska
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Oleksandra Tul
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Poltava State Agrarian University, 36003 Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Marcin Ciorga
- Department of Public Health Protection and Animal Welfare, Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Felici M, Sgorbini M, Baragli P, Lanatà A, Marmorini P, Camillo F. Autonomic nervous system balance in parturient mares: Spontaneous vs induced delivery. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283116. [PMID: 36930584 PMCID: PMC10022798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Delivery is not easily predictable in horses and the consequences of dystocia can be serious for both the mare and foal. An induction protocol with low doses of oxytocin has been reported as a safe procedure. This study investigates the effect of induced delivery on at-term mares' sympathetic-vagal balance. Fourteen mares were included and divided into two groups, one subjected to spontaneous delivery (SD), and one to induced delivery (ID). In both groups, an ECG was recorded using an elastic belt with integrated smart textile electrodes. The recording started before the delivery (Basal), continued close to delivery (Pre-delivery) and during delivery (Delivery), and ended after parturition (Placental expulsion). From the ECGs, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters relating to time and frequency domains and non-linear analysis were extrapolated. The HRV analysis was performed both within the same group (IntraGA) and between the two groups (InterGA). In the present study, spontaneous and induced delivery did not appear to differ in autonomic nervous system functioning. In IntraGA analysis, both for SD and ID mares, delivery and placental expulsion periods were parasympathetic dominated since vagal-related HRV parameters increased. Moreover, no differences were found in InterGA comparison between SD and ID mares, except for the pre-delivery period of ID mares, during which both branches of the autonomic nervous system were activated. These results are in line with the literature on parasympathetic dominance during parturition and no change in Heart Rate Variability following exogenous oxytocin administration in parturient mares.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Felici
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Micaela Sgorbini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital “Mario Modenato”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Baragli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanatà
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Camillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital “Mario Modenato”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wiśniewska A, Janczarek I, Tkaczyk E, Wilk I, Janicka W, Próchniak T, Kaczmarek B, Pokora E, Łuszczyński J. Minimizing the Effects of Social Isolation of Horses by Contact with Animals of a Different Species: The Domestic Goat as an Example. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172271. [PMID: 36077991 PMCID: PMC9454851 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172271] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the horses’ heart rate parameters and locomotor activity in a herd or isolation, with or without the company of goats. Twenty horses were tested in a paddock, accompanied (or not) by three goats. The experiment comprised four tests (a control test of a herd of horses without goats, a horse isolation test without goats, a test of a herd of horses with goats and a test of an isolated horse with goats). The horse’s locomotor behavior, and the HR, RR, rMSSD, LF, HF, and LF/HF were recorded. The data analysis included a 15-min rest, procedural and recovery HR/HRV periods, and a 5-min period at the beginning of the test. The duration of the horses standing in the company of goats increased significantly. The rMSSD parameter was the significantly lowest in the test of a herd of horses with goats. The company of goats in a paddock does not eliminate the emotional effects of the phenomenon. However, the locomotor behavior decreases. Goats in a paddock can provide a positive distraction for horses in a herd as a decrease in emotional excitability can be regarded as having a relaxing impact on a different animal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wiśniewska
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Janczarek
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Ewelina Tkaczyk
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Izabela Wilk
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wiktoria Janicka
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Próchniak
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Kaczmarek
- Department and Clinic of Animal Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pokora
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Łuszczyński
- Department of Genetics, Animal Breeding and Ethology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Performing Early Pregnancy Tests in Milk and Their Effect on Cow Welfare and Reproductive Performance Compared to Rectal Pregnancy Tests 40 to 45 Days Post Insemination. DAIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main pregnancy test method for dairy cows is rectal palpation performed around 40–45 days from last insemination. This is an invasive examination that disrupts the cow’s routine, potentially affecting its well-being. We examined the effectiveness of a commercial kit for performing pregnancy tests on milk samples compared to rectal palpation at 28- and 42-days post insemination. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to check if performing early pregnancy test instead of rectal palpation would result in better welfare and improvement of the reproductive performance, at least in part, of the cows. At 28 days, we examined the effect of early pregnancy testing on reproductive performance, especially number of days open. At 42 days, we determined the pregnancy test methods’ effects on cow welfare measures and milk production. For the day 28 experiment, cows on one farm were divided into two groups: one milk-tested for pregnancy on 28 to 30 days after insemination, and the other tested by routine veterinary examination (42 to 45 days after insemination). The milk test resulted in a 16-day reduction in days open for cows identified as non-pregnant on day 28 compared to day 42 (rectal examination), potentially improving reproductive performance on the dairy farm. For the day 42 experiment, test effects on cow welfare as seen in pedometer data and milk production were examined on two large dairy farms. Test-day milk production did not differ significantly between milk-tested and rectally palpated groups, but well-being indices of milk-tested cows improved, especially in winter months. The reason for this can be because, in the summer, cows are interrupted due to colling activities. In addition to fewer days open and economic improvement, early milk tests for pregnancy can free up the practitioner for other tasks on the dairy farm.
Collapse
|
11
|
Kitajima K, Oishi K, Miwa M, Anzai H, Setoguchi A, Yasunaka Y, Himeno Y, Kumagai H, Hirooka H. Effects of Heat Stress on Heart Rate Variability in Free-Moving Sheep and Goats Assessed With Correction for Physical Activity. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:658763. [PMID: 34141733 PMCID: PMC8203806 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.658763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the heart beat-to-beat variation under control of the cardiovascular function of animals. Under stressed conditions, cardiac activity is generally regulated with an upregulated sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone; thus, HRV monitoring can be a non-invasive technique to assess stress level in animals especially related to animal welfare. Among several stress-induced factors, heat stress is one of the most serious causes of physiological damage to animals. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of heat stress on HRV in small ruminants under free-moving conditions. In three experimental periods (June, August, and October), inter-beat intervals in sheep and goats (three for each) in two consecutive days were measured. HRV parameters were calculated from the inter-beat interval data by three types of analyses: time domain, frequency domain, and non-linear analyses. The temperature–humidity index (THI) was used as an indicator of heat stress, and vectorial dynamic body acceleration (VeDBA) was calculated to quantify the physical activity of the animals tested. First, we investigated correlations of THI and VeDBA with HRV parameters; subsequently, THI was divided into five categories according to the values obtained (≤ 65, 65–70, 70–75, 75–80, and >80), and the effects of the THI categories on HRV parameters were investigated with and without correcting for the effects of physical activity based on the VeDBA. The results indicated that HRV significantly decreased with increasing THI and VeDBA. For non-linear HRV parameters that were corrected for the effects of physical activity, it was suggested that there would be a threshold of THI around 80 that strongly affected HRV; high heat stress can affect the autonomic balance of animals non-linearly by inducing the sympathetic nervous system. In conclusion, to assess psychophysiological conditions of unrestrained animals by HRV analysis, the confounding effect of physical activity on HRV should be minimized for a more precise interpretation of the results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaho Kitajima
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazato Oishi
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masafumi Miwa
- Division of Grassland Farming, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroki Anzai
- Department of Animal and Grassland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Akira Setoguchi
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yudai Yasunaka
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukiko Himeno
- Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Hajime Kumagai
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hirooka
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry Resources, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hunter LB, Baten A, Haskell MJ, Langford FM, O'Connor C, Webster JR, Stafford K. Machine learning prediction of sleep stages in dairy cows from heart rate and muscle activity measures. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10938. [PMID: 34035392 PMCID: PMC8149724 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is important for cow health and shows promise as a tool for assessing welfare, but methods to accurately distinguish between important sleep stages are difficult and impractical to use with cattle in typical farm environments. The objective of this study was to determine if data from more easily applied non-invasive devices assessing neck muscle activity and heart rate (HR) alone could be used to differentiate between sleep stages. We developed, trained, and compared two machine learning models using neural networks and random forest algorithms to predict sleep stages from 15 variables (features) of the muscle activity and HR data collected from 12 cows in two environments. Using k-fold cross validation we compared the success of the models to the gold standard, Polysomnography (PSG). Overall, both models learned from the data and were able to accurately predict sleep stages from HR and muscle activity alone with classification accuracy in the range of similar human models. Further research is required to validate the models with a larger sample size, but the proposed methodology appears to give an accurate representation of sleep stages in cattle and could consequentially enable future sleep research into conditions affecting cow sleep and welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura B Hunter
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. .,Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand. .,Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - Abdul Baten
- Bioinformatics and Statistics, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand.,Institute of Precision Medicine and Bioinformatics, Sydney Local Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Marie J Haskell
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Fritha M Langford
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Cheryl O'Connor
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
| | - James R Webster
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Stafford
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Affective styles and emotional lateralization: A promising framework for animal welfare research. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
14
|
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Bodó S, Ruff F, Palme R, Szenci O. Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive approach to assess stress in dystocic dairy calves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6200. [PMID: 33737596 PMCID: PMC7973751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The intensity and the magnitude of saliva cortisol responses were investigated during the first 48 h following birth in newborn dairy calves which underwent normal (eutocic, EUT, n = 88) and difficult (dystocic, DYS, n = 70) calvings. The effects of parity and body condition of the dam, the duration of parturition, the time spent licking the calf, the sex and birth weight of the calf were also analyzed. Neonatal salivary cortisol concentrations were influenced neither by factors related to the dam (parity, body condition) nor the calf (sex, birth weight). The duration of parturition and the time spent licking the calf also had no effect on salivary cortisol levels. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased rapidly after delivery in both groups to reach their peak levels at 45 and 60 min after delivery in EUT and DYS calves, respectively supporting that the birth process means considerable stress for calves and the immediate postnatal period also appears to be stressful for newborn calves. DYS calves exhibited higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to EUT ones for 0 (P = 0.022), 15 (P = 0.016), 30 (P = 0.007), 45 (P = 0.003), 60 (P = 0.001) and 120 min (P = 0.001), and for 24 h (P = 0.040), respectively. Peak levels of salivary cortisol and the cortisol release into saliva calculated as AUC were higher in DYS than in EUT calves for the 48-h of the sampling period (P = 0.009 and P = 0.003, respectively). The greater magnitude of saliva cortisol levels in DYS calves compared to EUT ones suggest that difficult parturition means severe stress for bovine neonates and salivary cortisol could be an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of stress during the early neonatal period in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kovács
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor utca 40, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary.
- Bovine Research Division, Bona Adventure Ltd, Peres utca 44, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina Luca Kézér
- Bovine Research Division, Bona Adventure Ltd, Peres utca 44, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Bodó
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor utca 40, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Ruff
- Department of Methodology, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Károly utca 5-7, Budapest, 1024, Hungary
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ottó Szenci
- Department of Obstetrics and Food Animal Medicine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Walter MH, Abele H, Plappert CF. The Role of Oxytocin and the Effect of Stress During Childbirth: Neurobiological Basics and Implications for Mother and Child. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:742236. [PMID: 34777247 PMCID: PMC8578887 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.742236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin acts as a hormone and a neuromodulator, influencing a multitude of human social behaviors, including reproduction. During childbirth and the postpartum period, it plays a key role in regulating and controlling processes that ensure a safe birth and the health of mother and child. Especially the onset of labor, the progress of labor and initial breastfeeding are mediated by oxytocin. In the maternal brain it controls the initiation of the mother-infant bond and the mother's emotional responses towards her child. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge about the role of oxytocin during the different aspects and mechanisms of human childbirth, combining research from human and animal studies. Physiological and psychological stress during childbirth and lactation can have negative effects on the progress of labor, breastfeeding and bonding. We discuss how maternity caregivers can support the positive effects of oxytocin and minimize the effects of stress. Furthermore, we highlight aspects of the basic neurobiological principles and connections where further research is needed to improve our understanding of the regulation and the effects of oxytocin to support maternal and infant health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. Walter
- Department of Midwifery Science, Institute for Health Sciences, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Animal Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael H. Walter,
| | - Harald Abele
- Department of Midwifery Science, Institute for Health Sciences, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claudia F. Plappert
- Department of Midwifery Science, Institute for Health Sciences, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Aoki T, Itoh M, Chiba A, Kuwahara M, Nogami H, Ishizaki H, Yayou KI. Heart rate variability in dairy cows with postpartum fever during night phase. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242856. [PMID: 33237968 PMCID: PMC7688159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autonomic nervous function evaluated by heart rate variability (HRV) and blood characteristics were compared between Holstein Friesian cows that developed postpartum fever (PF; n = 5) and clinically healthy (CH; n = 6) puerperal cows in this case-control study. A cow was defined as having PF when its rectal temperature rose to ≥39.5°C between 1 and 3 days postpartum. We recorded electrocardiograms during this period using a Holter-type electrocardiograph and applied power spectral analysis of HRV. Comparisons between the groups were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney U test, and the relationship between rectal temperature and each parameter was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Heart rate was higher in PF cows than in CH cows (Mean ± SE, 103.3 ± 2.7 vs. 91.5 ± 1.7 bpm). This result suggested that PF cows had a relatively dominant sympathetic nervous function. Total (44,472 ± 2,301 vs. 55,373 ± 1,997 ms) and low frequency power (24.5 ± 3.8 vs. 39.9 ± 5.3 ms) were lower in PF cows than in CH cows. These findings were possibly caused by a reduction in autonomic nervous function. The total white blood cell count (54.3 ± 5.1 vs. 84.5 ± 6.4 ×102/μL) and the serum magnesium (2.1 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 mg/dL) and iron (81.5 ± 8.0 vs. 134.4 ± 9.1 μg/dL) concentrations were lower and the serum amyloid A concentration (277 ± 33 vs. 149 ± 21 μg/mL) was higher in PF cows than in CH cows. These results imply that more inflammation was present in PF cows than in CH cows. Multiple regression analysis showed that both of low frequency power and concentration of serum iron were associated with rectal temperature. We found differences in changes in hematologic results, biochemical findings, and HRV patterns between PF cows and CH cows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Aoki
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Megumi Itoh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Akiko Chiba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kuwahara
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Ishizaki
- Division of Grassland Farming, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Nasushiobara, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yayou
- Division of Animal Environment and Waste Management Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Green AC, Lidfors LM, Lomax S, Favaro L, Clark CEF. Vocal production in postpartum dairy cows: Temporal organization and association with maternal and stress behaviors. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:826-838. [PMID: 33131811 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian vocalizations can encode contextual information in both the spectrographic components of their individual vocal units and in their temporal organization. Here we observed 23 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows immediately after birth during interactions with their calf and when their calf was separated to the other side of a fence line. We investigated whether the vocalizations emitted in these postpartum contexts would vary temporally. We also described the maternal and stress behaviors preceding and following postpartum vocal production using kinematic diagrams and characterized call sequence structure. The kinematic diagrams highlight the disruption of maternal responses caused by calf separation and show that behavioral and vocal patterns varied according to the cows' emotional states and proximity to the calf in both contexts. During calf interactions, cows mainly produced closed-mouth calls simultaneous to licking their calf, whereas an escalation of stress responses was observed during calf separation, with the cows approaching the fence line, becoming alert to the calf, and emitting more mixed and open-mouth calls. Call sequences were similarly structured across contexts, mostly containing repetitions of a single call type, with a mean interval of 0.57 s between calls and a greater cumulative vocalization duration, attributed to an increased number of vocal units per sequence. Overall, calf separation was associated with a greater proportion of calls emitted as a sequence (inverse of single isolated calls), a shorter interval between separate call sequences, and a greater number of vocal units per sequence, compared with calf interactions. These temporal vocal features varied predictably with the high stress expression from cows during calf separation and may represent temporal modulations of emotional expression. Despite the noisy farm soundscape, empirical call type and temporal vocal features were easy to measure; thus, findings could be applied to future cattle studies wishing to analyze vocalizations for on-farm welfare assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Green
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camden 2570, Australia; Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne 42023, France.
| | - Lena M Lidfors
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-532 23 Skara, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Lomax
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camden 2570, Australia
| | - Livio Favaro
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne 42023, France; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Cameron E F Clark
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camden 2570, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chang AZ, Swain DL, Trotter MG. Towards sensor-based calving detection in the rangelands: a systematic review of credible behavioral and physiological indicators. Transl Anim Sci 2020; 4:txaa155. [PMID: 33928238 PMCID: PMC8059146 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Calving is a critical point in both a cow and calf’s life, when both become more susceptible to disease and risk of death. Ideally, this period is carefully monitored. In extensive grazing systems, however, it is often not economically or physically possible for producers to continuously monitor animals, and thus, calving frequently goes undetected. The development of sensor systems, particularly in these environments, could provide significant benefits to the industry by increasing the quantity and quality of individual animal monitoring. In the time surrounding calving, cows undergo a series of behavioral and physiological changes, which can potentially be detected using sensing technologies. Before developing a sensor-based approach, it is worthwhile considering these behavioral and physiological changes, such that the appropriate technologies can be designed and developed. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify changes in the dam’s behavioral and physiological states in response to a calving event. Articles (n = 104) consisting of 111 independent experiments were assessed following an intensive search of electronic databases. Commonly reported indicators of parturition (n = 38) were identified, and temporal trend graphs were generated for 13 of these changes. The results compare trends in behavioral and physiological changes across a variety of animal-related factors and identifies several reliable indicators of parturition for detection with sensors, namely calf grooming behavior, changes in rumination duration, and lying bouts. This synthesis of literature suggests that variability exists between individuals and thus, combining several calving indicators may result in a more broadly applicable and accurate detection of parturition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Z Chang
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton North, QLD, Australia
| | - David L Swain
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton North, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark G Trotter
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton North, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB. The effect of early burn injury on sensitivity to future painful stimuli in dairy heifers. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233711. [PMID: 32492026 PMCID: PMC7269268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals that experience painful procedures as neonates are more sensitive to pain later in life. We evaluated whether disbudding with a heated iron at 3 (n = 12), 35 (n = 9), or 56 (n = 20) d of age affected heifers’ pain responses to vaccine injections at 11 mo of age. Heifers responded to the injection procedure with struggling and changes in eye temperature and heart rate variability compared to a sham procedure the day before, and still had a heightened response 6 d later, regardless of disbudding age. However, some heart rate variability indices suggested increased sympathetic dominance in heifers disbudded at 35 d, compared to the other 2 age groups, independent of the injection procedure. We also found that heifers disbudded at 3 or 35 d had a higher mean heart rate after the injection procedure compared to those disbudded at 56 d. We conclude that: (1) heifers find injections aversive; and (2) there is some evidence that disbudding age influences autonomic nervous system activity later in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J J Adcock
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Effects of a Dietary L-Carnitine Supplementation on Performance, Energy Metabolism and Recovery from Calving in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020342. [PMID: 32098123 PMCID: PMC7070952 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dairy cows develop metabolic diseases especially in the transition period due to high energy requirements for the process of calving, beginning milk production and, simultaneously, restricted feed intake capacity. L-carnitine is endogenously synthesised as an obligatory, quaternary amine for the initial step of ß-oxidation, but with the onset of lactation it is also excreted with milk, whereby its availability for other metabolic pathways might be limited. Supplemental L-carnitine might be able to fill in this apparent gap and to enhance the efficiency of ß-oxidation, whereby the magnitude of negative energy balance would be decreased. The present experiment mainly focused on the energy-consuming process of calving itself and on the energy metabolism during the first weeks of lactation. Abstract Dairy cows are metabolically challenged during the transition period. Furthermore, the process of parturition represents an energy-consuming process. The degree of negative energy balance and recovery from calving also depends on the efficiency of mitochondrial energy generation. At this point, L-carnitine plays an important role for the transfer of fatty acids to the site of their mitochondrial utilisation. A control (n = 30) and an L-carnitine group (n = 29, 25 g rumen-protected L-carnitine per cow and day) were created and blood samples were taken from day 42 ante partum (ap) until day 110 post-partum (pp) to clarify the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on dairy cows, especially during the transition period and early puerperium. Blood and clinical parameters were recorded in high resolution from 0.5 h to 72 h pp. L-carnitine-supplemented cows had higher amounts of milk fat in early lactation and higher triacylglyceride concentrations in plasma ap, indicating increased efficiency of fat oxidation. However, neither recovery from calving nor energy balance and lipomobilisation were influenced by L-carnitine.
Collapse
|
21
|
Stress effects on the regulation of parturition in different domestic animal species. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 207:153-161. [PMID: 31054786 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes current knowledge on stress-like responses in parturient animals and their role for the onset and fine-tuning of parturition. The antepartum maternal cortisol increase is part of the endocrine changes that initiate parturition but a further increase in cortisol release during labor indicates a stress response. During the last minutes of delivery, sinus arrhythmias occur in 80% of foaling mares and 60% of calving cows. Expulsion of the neonate is thus characterized by parasympathetic dominance. In late-pregnant cows transported by road, cortisol concentrations increased but relations between transport stress and abortion remain unclear. In mares, transport not only elicited a stress response but also advanced the time of foaling. Transferring parturient rats, mice and pigs after birth of the first pup or piglet, respectively, to a stressful environment prolonged the time until delivery of the next littermate. In rats and pigs, this was caused by an increased opioidergic tone that restrained oxytocin release. In mice, a stress-induced delay of subsequent deliveries was caused by increased sympathoadrenal activity. When foaling mares were transferred to an uncomfortable stable at fetal membrane rupture, time until complete birth of the foal was doubled. As in mice, increased sympathetic activity was the mechanism delaying the progress of foaling. An increased sympathetic activity is also present in parturient cows disturbed during an early stage of calving. In equine and bovine neonates, the immediate postnatal period is characterised by high sympathetic activity and an increase in cortisol concentration, indicating a pronounced stress-like response.
Collapse
|
22
|
Hartmann C, Lidauer L, Aurich J, Aurich C, Nagel C. Detection of the time of foaling by accelerometer technique in horses (
Equus caballus
)—a pilot study. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:1279-1286. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Hartmann
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Vetmeduni Vienna Vienna Austria
| | | | - Jörg Aurich
- Divison for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vetmeduni Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Vetmeduni Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Christina Nagel
- Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science Vetmeduni Vienna Neustadt (Dosse) Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kovács L, Kézér F, Ruff F, Szenci O. Rumination time and reticuloruminal temperature as possible predictors of dystocia in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:1568-1579. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
24
|
Doerfler RL, Lehermeier C, Kliem H, Möstl E, Bernhardt H. Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Dairy Cattle to the Introduction of Robot Scrapers. Front Vet Sci 2016; 3:106. [PMID: 27965967 PMCID: PMC5128783 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autonomous mobile robot scrapers are increasingly used in order to clean the floors on dairy farms. Given the complexity of robot scraper operation, stress may occur in cows due to unpredictability of the situation. Experiencing stress can impair animal welfare and, in the long term, the health and milk production of the cows. Therefore, this study addressed potential stress responses of dairy cattle to the robot scraper after introducing the autonomous mobile machine. Thirty-six cows in total were studied on three different farms to explore possible modifications in cardiac function, behavior, and adrenocortical activity. The research protocol on each farm consisted of four experimental periods including one baseline measurement without robot scraper operation followed by three test measurements, in which cows interacted with the robotic cleaning system. Interbeat intervals were recorded in order to calculate the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter RMSSD; behavior was observed to determine time budgets; and fecal samples were collected for analysis of the cortisol metabolites concentration. A statistical analysis was carried out using linear mixed-effects models. HRV decline immediately after the introduction of the robot scraper and modified behavior in the subsequent experimental periods indicated a stress response. The cortisol metabolites concentration remained constant. It is hypothesized that after the initial phase of decrease, HRV stabilized through the behavioral adjustments of the cows in the second part of the study. Persistent alterations in behavior gave rise to the assumption that the animals’ habituation process to the robot scraper was not yet completed. In summary, the present study illustrated that the cows showed minor signs of disturbance toward the robotic cleaning system. Thus, our findings suggest that dairy cattle can largely adjust their behavior to avoid aversive effects on animal welfare. Additional research can provide further insight into the development of the animal–machine interaction beyond the initial phase of robot scraper operation considered in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renate L Doerfler
- Agricultural Systems Engineering, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich , Freising , Germany
| | - Christina Lehermeier
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich , Freising , Germany
| | - Heike Kliem
- Animal Physiology and Immunology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich , Freising , Germany
| | - Erich Möstl
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Heinz Bernhardt
- Agricultural Systems Engineering, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich , Freising , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Ruff F, Szenci O. Timing of obstetrical assistance affects peripartal cardiac autonomic function and early maternal behavior of dairy cows. Physiol Behav 2016; 165:202-10. [PMID: 27494992 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Peripartal autonomic nervous system function and early maternal behavior were investigated in 79 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows. Animals were allocated into four groups based on the technology of calving management: 1) unassisted calving in a group pen (UCG; N=19), 2) unassisted calving in an individual pen (UCI; N=21), 3) assisted calving with appropriately timed obstetrical assistance (ACA; N=20), and 4) assisted calving with premature obstetrical assistance (ACP; N=19). Heart rate, the high frequency (HF) component of heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of vagal activity and the ratio between the low frequency (LF) and HF components (LF/HF ratio) as a parameter of sympathetic nervous system activity were calculated. Heart rate and HRV parameters were presented as areas under the curves (AUC) for the following periods: 1) prepartum period (between 96h before the onset of calving restlessness and the onset of restlessness), 2) parturition (between the onset calving restlessness and delivery), and 3) postpartum period (during a 48-h period after delivery). Pain-related behaviors were recorded during parturition (i.e., the occurrence of vocalization and stretching the neck towards the abdomen) and during a 2-h observation period after calving (i.e., the occurrence of vocalization, stretching the neck towards the abdomen and the duration of standing with an arched back). Early maternal behavior was observed during the first 2h following calving as follows: 1) latency and duration of sniffing calf's head/body, and 2) latency and duration of licking calf's head/body. No difference was found across groups in autonomic function before the onset of calving restlessness. Area under the heart rate curve was higher in ACP cows during parturition (39.6±2.5beats/min×h) compared to UCG, UCI and ACA animals (AUC=13.1±0.9beats/min×h, AUC=22.3±1.4beats/min×h and AUC=25.0±2.1beats/min×h, respectively). Area under the heart rate curve did not differ across the UCG, UCI and ACA groups during the postpartum period (AUC=65.2±16.7beats/min×h, AUC=58.0±14.2beats/min×h and AUC=62.9±12.1beats/min×h, respectively) but it was higher in ACP cows compared to the former groups (AUC=269.1±36.3beats/min×h). During parturition, area under the HF curve reflected a lower vagal tone (AUC=-30.5±1.6n.u.×h) in cows with premature obstetrical assistance than in animals that calved individually without farmer assistance (AUC=2.7±0.4n.u.×h) or with appropriately timed assistance (AUC=3.2±1.2n.u.×h). During parturition, LF/HF ratio showed greater sympathetic activity in ACP cows than in animals from any other group. Area under the HF curve was similar across UCG, UCI and ACA cows (AUC=-232.1±42.0n.u.×h, AUC=-163.4±35.6n.u.×h and AUC=-331.4±56.2n.u.×h, respectively) during the postpartum period and was the lowest in ACP cows (AUC=-1025.6±44.2n.u.×h) reflecting a long-term stress load in the latter group. During parturition, both vocalization and stretching the neck towards the abdomen occurred more often in UCG cows than in cows from any other groups, and the incidence of both behaviors was statistically higher in ACP cows than in UCI and ACA animals. There were no significant differences across groups in these behaviors during the 2-h postpartum observation. UCG cows had a shorter latency and a longer duration of maternal grooming during the first 2h following delivery compared to any other groups. UCI and ACA dams spent more time with licking the calf within the 2-h period after calving and had a shorter latency to sniff and lick the offspring compared to cows that received premature assistance. Group calving is less stressful for cows than calving in an individual pen either with or without obstetrical assistance. Calving in a group or with appropriately timed farmer assistance supports the expression of early maternal behavior and lead to a rapid postpartum recovery of the autonomic nervous system. Premature obstetrical assistance means stress for cows during parturition, leads to a prolonged postpartum recovery of the autonomic nervous system and inhibits the expression of early maternal behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kovács
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra major, H-2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő H-2100, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina Luca Kézér
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra major, H-2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő H-2100, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Ruff
- Department of Methodology, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Károly utca 5-7, Budapest H-1024, Hungary
| | - Ottó Szenci
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra major, H-2225, Hungary; Szent István University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department and Clinic for Production Animals, Üllő-Dóra major, H-2225, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gonçalves H, Pinto P, Silva M, Ayres-de-Campos D, Bernardes J. Electrocardiography versus photoplethysmography in assessment of maternal heart rate variability during labor. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:1079. [PMID: 27462527 PMCID: PMC4945517 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2787-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Evaluation of maternal heart rate (MHR) variability provides useful information on the maternal-fetal clinical state. Electrocardiography (ECG) is the most accurate method to monitor MHR but it may not always be available, and pulse oximetry using photoplethysmography (PPG) can be an alternative. In this study we compared ECG and PPG signals, obtained with conventional fetal monitors, to evaluate signal loss, MHR variability indices, and the ability of the latter to predict fetal acidemia and operative delivery. Methods Both signals were simultaneously acquired in 51 term pregnancies during the last 2 h of labor (H1 and H2). Linear time- and frequency-domain, and nonlinear MHR variability indices were estimated, and the dataset was divided into normal and acidemic cases, as well as into normal and operative deliveries. Differences between ECG and PPG signals were assessed using non-parametric confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation coefficient and a measure of disagreement. Prediction of fetal acidemia and operative delivery was assessed using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (auROC). Results Signal loss was higher with ECG during the first segments of H1, and higher with PPG in the last segment of H2, and it increased in both signals with labour progression. MHR variability indices were significantly different when acquired with ECG and PPG signals, with low correlation coefficients and high disagreement for entropy and fast oscillation-based indices, and low disagreement for the mean MHR and slow oscillation-based indices. However, both acquisition modes evidenced significant differences between H1 and H2 and comparable auROC values were obtained in the detection of fetal acidemia and operative vaginal delivery. Conclusion Although PPG captures the faster oscillations of the MHR signal less well than ECG and is prone to have higher signal loss in the last 10-min preceding delivery, it can be considered an alternative for MHR monitoring during labor, with adaptation of cut-off values for MHR variability indices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hernâni Gonçalves
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Dr Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Pinto
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Dr Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, EPE, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Manuela Silva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo Ayres-de-Campos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, São João Hospital, Porto, Portugal ; INEB - Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Porto; I3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Bernardes
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Dr Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, São João Hospital, Porto, Portugal ; Hospital Pedro Hispano, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Senhora da Hora, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Kulcsár-Huszenicza M, Ruff F, Szenci O, Jurkovich V. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and cardiac autonomic responses to transrectal examination differ with behavioral reactivity in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:7444-7457. [PMID: 27394950 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity were evaluated in response to transrectal examination in nonlactating Holstein-Friesian cows with different behavioral reactivity. According to behavioral reactions shown to the procedure of fixing the heart rate (HR) monitors, the 20 cows with the highest and the 20 cows with the lowest behavioral reactivity were involved in the study (high responder, n=20; and low responder, n=20, respectively). Activity of the ANS was assessed by HR and HR variability parameters. Blood and saliva were collected at 5 min before (baseline) and 0, 5 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 120 min after the examination to determine cortisol concentrations. The examination lasted for 5 min. Cardiac parameters included HR, the root mean square of successive differences between the consecutive interbeat intervals, the high frequency (HF) component of heart rate variability, and the ratio between the low frequency (LF) and HF parameter (LF/HF). Following the examination, peak plasma and saliva cortisol levels and the amplitude of the plasma and saliva cortisol response were higher in high responder cows than in low responders. Areas under the plasma and saliva cortisol response curves were greater in high responder cows. Plasma and salivary cortisol levels correlated significantly at baseline (r=0.91), right after examination (r=0.98), and at peak levels (r=0.96). Area under the HR response curve was higher in low responder cows; however, maximum HR and the amplitude of the HR response showed no differences between groups. Minimum values of both parameters calculated for the examination were higher in high responders. Following the examination, response parameters of root mean square of successive differences and HF did not differ between groups. The maximum and the amplitude of LF/HF response and area under the LF/HF response curve were lower in low responder cows, suggesting a lower sympathetic activation of the ANS. Although changes in behaviors indicated that the procedure was painful for the animals, no differences were observed either in vocalization or in attendant behavior between groups during the examination. Our results demonstrate that behaviorally more reactive animals exhibit increased plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations and higher cardiac autonomic responsiveness to transrectal examination than less reactive cows. Salivary cortisol may substitute for plasma cortisol when assessing response of cattle to stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Kovács
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra major 2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő 2100, Hungary.
| | - F L Kézér
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra major 2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő 2100, Hungary
| | - M Kulcsár-Huszenicza
- Department and Clinics of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István utca 2, Budapest 1078, Hungary
| | - F Ruff
- Department of Methodology, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Budapest, Keleti Károly utca 5-7. H-1024, Hungary
| | - O Szenci
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő 2100, Hungary
| | - V Jurkovich
- Department of Animal Hygiene, Herd Health and Veterinary Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István utca 2, Budapest 1078, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Associations between Heart Rate Variability Parameters and Housing- and Individual-Related Variables in Dairy Cows Using Canonical Correspondence Analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145313. [PMID: 26690578 PMCID: PMC4687031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the associations between heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and some housing- and individual-related variables using the canonical correspondence analysis (CCOA) method in lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. We collected a total of 5200 5-min interbeat interval (IBI) samples from 260 animals on five commercial dairy farms [smaller-scale farms with 70 (Farm 1, n = 50) and 80 cows per farm (Farm 2, n = 40), and larger-scale farms with 850 (Farm 3, n = 66), 1900 (Farm 4, n = 60) and 1200 (Farm 5, n = 45) cows. Dependent variables included HRV parameters, which reflect the activity of the autonomic nervous system: heart rate (HR), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) in IBIs, the standard deviation 1 (SD1), the high frequency (HF) component of HRV and the ratio between the low frequency (LF) and the HF parameter (LF/HF). Explanatory variables were group size, space allowance, milking frequency, parity, daily milk yield, body condition score, locomotion score, farm, season and physical activity (lying, lying and rumination, standing, standing and rumination and feeding). Physical activity involved in standing, feeding and in rumination was associated with HRV parameters, indicating a decreasing sympathetic and an increasing vagal tone in the following order: feeding, standing, standing and rumination, lying and rumination, lying. Objects representing summer positioned close to HR and LF and far from SD1, RMSSD and HF indicate a higher sympathetic and a lower vagal activity. Objects representing autumn, spring and winter associated with increasing vagal activity, in this order. Time-domain measures of HRV were associated with most of the housing- and individual-related explanatory variables. Higher HR and lower RMSSD and SD1 were associated with higher group size, milking frequency, parity and milk yield, and low space allowance. Higher parity and milk yield were associated with higher sympathetic activity as well (higher LF/HF), while individuals with lower locomotion scores (lower degree of lameness) were characterized with a higher sympathetic and a lower vagal tone (higher HR and LF/HF and lower RMSSD and SD1). Our findings indicate that the CCOA method is useful in demonstrating associations between HRV and selected explanatory variables. We consider physical activity, space allowance, group size, milking frequency, parity, daily milk yield, locomotion score and season to be the most important variables in further HRV studies on dairy cows.
Collapse
|
29
|
Nagel C, Trenk L, Aurich C, Ille N, Pichler M, Drillich M, Pohl W, Aurich J. Sympathoadrenal balance and physiological stress response in cattle at spontaneous and PGF2α-induced calving. Theriogenology 2015; 85:979-985. [PMID: 26699278 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Increased cortisol release in parturient cows may either represent a stress response or is part of the endocrine changes that initiate calving. Acute stress elicits an increase in heart rate and decrease in heart rate variability (HRV). Therefore, we analyzed cortisol concentration, heart rate and HRV variables standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive beat-to-beat intervals (RMSSD) in dairy cows allowed to calve spontaneously (SPON, n = 6) or with PGF2α-induced preterm parturition (PG, n = 6). We hypothesized that calving is a stressor, but induced parturition is less stressful than term calving. Saliva collection for cortisol analysis and electrocardiogram recordings for heart rate and HRV analysis were performed from 32 hours before to 18.3 ± 0.7 hours after delivery. Cortisol concentration increased in SPON and PG cows, peaked 15 minutes after delivery (P < 0.001) but was higher in SPON versus PG cows (P < 0.001) during and within 2 hours after calving. Heart rate peaked during the expulsive phase of labor and was higher in SPON than in PG cows (time × group P < 0.01). The standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval and RMSSD peaked at the end of the expulsive phase of labor (P < 0.001), indicating high vagal activity. Standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (P < 0.01) and RMSSD (P < 0.05) were higher in SPON versus PG cows. Based on physiological stress parameters, calving is perceived as stressful but expulsion of the calf is associated with a transiently increased vagal tone which may enhance uterine contractility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Nagel
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Lisa Trenk
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natascha Ille
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Pichler
- Clinical Unit for Heard Health Management in Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marc Drillich
- Clinical Unit for Heard Health Management in Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Pohl
- Kremesberg Research and Teaching Farm, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Division for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Ruff F, Szenci O. Cardiac autonomic activity has a circadian rhythm in summer but not in winter in non-lactating pregnant dairy cows. Physiol Behav 2015; 155:56-65. [PMID: 26639202 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.031] [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: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This investigation was conducted to examine circadian and seasonal rhythms of heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) by means of hour-by-hour recordings over 24h in a large population of non-lactating Holstein-Friesian pregnant cows [N=56, summer (June-July); N=61, winter (November-December)]. Data were collected during a 5-day period from each animal. Besides parameters of cardiac autonomic function [the high-frequency (HF) component of HRV and the ratio between the low-frequency (LF) and the HF components (LF/HF ratio)], the RR triangular index and Lmax were calculated. A clear circadian profile was observed for every parameter in summer. Heart rate elevated gradually with the course of the day from 7:00 to 17:00 o'clock and then slightly decreased from 18:00 to 6:00. Sympathovagal balance shifted towards sympathetic dominance during the daytime (increased LF/HF ratio), whereas parasympathetic activity was predominant during the night (increased HF). Lmax reflected a chaotic behavior of heart rate fluctuations during the afternoon in summer. Decreased values of RR triangular index indicated a sensitive period for cows between 14:00 and 16:00 o'clock in summer. During winter, except for the RR triangular (RRtri) index reflecting a high overall variability in R-R intervals between 12:00 and 23:00 o'clock, heart rate and HRV showed no periodicity over the 24-h period. The results suggest an impaired cardiac autonomic function during daytime in summer. HF, Lmax and RRtri index showed seasonal differences for both daytime and nighttime. Heart rate was higher in summer than in winter during the daytime, whereas the LF/HF ratio was higher in winter during the nighttime. Circadian and seasonal rhythms of cardiovascular function are presumably related to the differing temperature, and animal activity associated with summer and winter. As all of the investigated parameters are commonly used in bovine HRV research, these findings have practical implications for behavioral, physiological and welfare studies on dairy cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kovács
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major H-2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő H-2100, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina Luca Kézér
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major H-2225, Hungary; Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Páter Károly utca 1, Gödöllő H-2100, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Ruff
- Department of Methodology, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Károly utca 5-7, Budapest H-1024, Hungary
| | - Ottó Szenci
- MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major H-2225, Hungary; Szent István University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department and Clinic for Production Animals, Üllő-Dóra Major H-2225, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Jurkovich V, Kulcsár-Huszenicza M, Tőzsér J. Heart Rate Variability as an Indicator of Chronic Stress Caused by Lameness in Dairy Cows. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134792. [PMID: 26270563 PMCID: PMC4536120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Most experimental studies on animal stress physiology have focused on acute stress, while chronic stress, which is also encountered in intensive dairy cattle farming–e.g. in case of lameness–, has received little attention. We investigated heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators of the autonomic nervous system activity and fecal glucocorticoid concentrations as the indicator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in lame (with locomotion scores 4 and 5; n = 51) and non-lame (with locomotion scores 1 and 2; n = 52) Holstein-Friesian cows. Data recorded during the periods of undisturbed lying–representing baseline cardiac activity–were involved in the analysis. Besides linear analysis methods of the cardiac inter-beat interval (time-domain geometric, frequency domain and Poincaré analyses) non-linear HRV parameters were also evaluated. With the exception of standard deviation 1 (SD1), all HRV indices were affected by lameness. Heart rate was lower in lame cows than in non-lame ones. Vagal tone parameters were higher in lame cows than in non-lame animals, while indices of the sympathovagal balance reflected on a decreased sympathetic activity in lame cows. All geometric and non-linear HRV measures were lower in lame cows compared to non-lame ones suggesting that chronic stress influenced linear and non-linear characteristics of cardiac function. Lameness had no effect on fecal glucocorticoid concentrations. Our results demonstrate that HRV analysis is a reliable method in the assessment of chronic stress, however, it requires further studies to fully understand the elevated parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic tone in lame animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kovács
- MTA–SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major, Hungary
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Fruzsina Luca Kézér
- MTA–SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major, Hungary
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Viktor Jurkovich
- Department of Animal Hygiene, Herd Health and Veterinary Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Margit Kulcsár-Huszenicza
- Department and Clinics of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Tőzsér
- MTA–SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő-Dóra Major, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|