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Petrucci M, Spadavecchia C, Rieben R, Casoni D. Mechanical and thermal thresholds before and after application of a conditioning stimulus in healthy Göttingen Minipigs. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309604. [PMID: 39208203 PMCID: PMC11361583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Minipigs are widely used in biomedical research for translational studies. However, information about pain elicited by experimental procedures is lacking. Non-invasive methods as quantitative sensory testing and conditioned pain modulation are particularly attractive. Our overarching aim was to explore and refine these methods for assessing post-operative pain in minipigs after myocardial infarction. As first step, we aimed at defining mechanical and thermal thresholds in healthy adults Göttingen Minipigs, evaluating their reliability, and testing their modifications after the application of a conditioning stimulus. Thresholds were assessed at different body sites before and after a painful conditioning stimulus (CS) (cuffed tourniquet) and sham CS (uncuffed tourniquet) in eleven animals. Thresholds' reliability was assessed using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The effect of the CS was assessed calculating absolute change, percentage change of the thresholds and standard error of measurement. Baseline mechanical thresholds (Newton) were: left hindlimb 81 [73; 81]; left forearm 81 [72.1; 81]; right forearm 81 [76; 81]; left chest 80.5 [68; 81]; right chest 81 [76.5; 81]; left neck 81 [70.3; 81]; right neck 74.8 [62.3; 80.5]. Reliability of mechanical thresholds was good at right chest (ICC = 0.835) and moderate at left chest (ICC = 0.591), left hindlimb (ICC = 0.606) and left neck (ICC = 0.518). Thermal thresholds showed poor reliability in all the tested sites. A modulatory effect was present at right chest, but it was seen when both a painful CS and a sham CS was applied. Minipigs tendentially showed a pro-nociceptive profile (i.e. conditioning pain facilitation). The measured thresholds are a reference for future trials in this species. Mechanical thresholds showed to be more reliable and, therefore, more useful, than thermal ones. The pain facilitation might be explained by the phenomenon of stress induced hyperalgesia, but this finding needs to be further investigated with a stricter paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Petrucci
- Faculty of Medicine, Experimental Surgery Facility (ESF), Experimental Animal Center (EAC), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and BioMedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Spadavecchia
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Section, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert Rieben
- Faculty of Medicine, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Casoni
- Faculty of Medicine, Experimental Surgery Facility (ESF), Experimental Animal Center (EAC), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Rettore Andreis F, Mørch CD, Jensen W, Meijs S. On determining the mechanical nociceptive threshold in pigs: a reliability study. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1191786. [PMID: 37265942 PMCID: PMC10229834 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1191786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A pressure algometer is a valuable tool for assessing the mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) in clinical pain studies. Recent research has turned to large animal models of pain because of the closer anatomy and physiology to humans. Although the reliability and usefulness of the MNT have been extensively validated in humans, similar data from large animals is still sparse. Objective Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the reliability (within- and between-session) of MNT in the forelimb of pigs using a pressure algometer. Methods Nine animals were used (23-40 kg), and MNTs were measured at both the right and left limbs at three different sessions, with three repetitions per session. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used as a metric for relative reliability. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV) was used to assess absolute reliability. Systematic bias was also evaluated. Results The average ICC was found to be 0.71 and 0.45 for the between-session and within-session, respectively. CV ranged from 17.9% to 20.5%, with a grand average of 19.1%. The grand average SEM was 249.5 kPa (16.6%). No systematic differences were found for the MNT between sessions, which suggests that there was no habituation to the stimulus. Conclusion The reliability indices obtained in this study are comparable to results obtained in other species or anatomical regions and substantiate the use of the pressure algometer as a valuable tool to investigate the nociceptive system in pigs and translation to the human nociceptive withdrawal reflex.
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Franchi GA, Jensen MB, Foldager L, Larsen M, Herskin MS. Effects of dietary and milking frequency changes and administration of cabergoline on clinical udder characteristics in dairy cows during dry-off. Res Vet Sci 2022; 143:88-98. [PMID: 34999440 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of 2 diet energy densities [normal lactation diet (NORM) vs. energy-reduced diet (REDU), both fed for ad libitum intake] and 2 daily milking frequencies [twice (2×) vs. once (1×)] during 1 week before the dry-off day, as well as effects of an injection of either a dopamine agonist [cabergoline (CAB); Velactis, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; labelled for use only with abrupt dry-off, e.g. no reduction in diet energy density or milking frequency before the last milking] or saline (SAL) following the last milking, on clinical udder characteristics of Holstein cows. During a week before and after the last milking, the following measures were recorded: palpation-based udder firmness and soreness; image-based hock-hock distance; responsiveness to mechanical udder stimulation and degree of udder fill measured with a dynamometer. Before the last milking, REDU cows displayed lower odds of having a firm udder and lower degree of udder fill, as well as lower responsiveness to mechanical udder stimulation, than NORM cows. After the last milking, REDU cows displayed shorter hock-hock distance compared with NORM cows. The effects of milking frequency on the clinical udder characteristics were unclear. Within 24 h following injection, CAB cows showed lower odds of having a firm udder, shorter hock-hock distance, and lower degree of udder fill than SAL cows, irrespective of treatment group before dry-off. In this study, reducing diet energy density prior to dry-off, and to some extent administering the dopamine agonist cabergoline after the last milking, resulted in fewest clinical udder changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Franchi
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
| | - M B Jensen
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - L Foldager
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark; Aarhus University, Bioinformatics Research Centre, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M Larsen
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - M S Herskin
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Small A, Fisher AD, Lee C, Colditz I. Analgesia for Sheep in Commercial Production: Where to Next? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041127. [PMID: 33920025 PMCID: PMC8070992 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Increasing societal and customer pressure to provide animals with ‘a life worth living’ continues to apply pressure on industry to alleviate pain associated with husbandry practices, injury and illness. Although a number of analgesic solutions are now available for sheep, providing some amelioration of the acute pain responses, this review has highlighted a number of potential areas for further research. Abstract Increasing societal and customer pressure to provide animals with ‘a life worth living’ continues to apply pressure on livestock production industries to alleviate pain associated with husbandry practices, injury and illness. Over the past 15–20 years, there has been considerable research effort to understand and develop mitigation strategies for painful husbandry procedures in sheep, leading to the successful launch of analgesic approaches specific to sheep in a number of countries. However, even with multi-modal approaches to analgesia, using both local anaesthetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), pain is not obliterated, and the challenge of pain mitigation and phasing out of painful husbandry practices remains. It is timely to review and reflect on progress to date in order to strategically focus on the most important challenges, and the avenues which offer the greatest potential to be incorporated into industry practice in a process of continuous improvement. A structured, systematic literature search was carried out, incorporating peer-reviewed scientific literature in the period 2000–2019. An enormous volume of research is underway, testament to the fact that we have not solved the pain and analgesia challenge for any species, including our own. This review has highlighted a number of potential areas for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Small
- CSIRO Agriculture & Food, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (C.L.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-6776-1435
| | - Andrew David Fisher
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Caroline Lee
- CSIRO Agriculture & Food, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (C.L.); (I.C.)
| | - Ian Colditz
- CSIRO Agriculture & Food, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (C.L.); (I.C.)
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Ahmed W, Elbrønd VS, Harrison AP, Hart JO, Williams RE. An Investigation Into the Short-Term Effects of Photobiomodulation on the Mechanical Nociceptive Thresholds of M. Longissimus and M. Gluteus Medius, in Relation to Muscle Firing Rate in Horses at Three Different Gaits. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 98:103363. [PMID: 33663728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Back pain is a common condition in horses, yet despite this, quantitative assessments of the efficacy of treatment are scarce. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) and acoustic myography (AMG) recordings were obtained, both preinterventionand postintervention, from the left and right epaxial muscles in eight healthy general riding horses (mean age 17 ± 6 yrs). Using an algometer, MNT readings were taken at each of the 6 preselected points along the thoracolumbar M. longissimus and M. gluteus medius region. AMG recordings of the M. longissimus and M. gluteus medius were taken while walking, trotting, and cantering on a left or right hand 20m circle on a longe, on a waxed sand surface in an indoor arena. Horses were then treated using a class 1 laser. Therapy was applied for 1 minute at 1000 Hz to the same preselected points from which MNT measurements had previously been taken. Measurements were subsequently taken 1 hour and 24 hours post-treatment for MNT reading, and only 24 hours after for AMG measurements. No significant effect of treatment was noted for the MNTs. The AMG results were analyzed in terms of their temporal summation (T-score), where statistically significant improvements in the T-scores for M. longissimus and M. gluteus medius were noted for the different gaits. It is concluded that cold laser therapy has a positive effect on horse muscles that reveals a change in their firing frequency that is commensurate with changes seen with analgesia in subjects experiencing pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqas Ahmed
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, PAS (Physiology), Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Vibeke S Elbrønd
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, PAS (Physiology), Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Adrian P Harrison
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, PAS (Physiology), Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Ihrke A, Riviera P, LoGuidice R, Guiffrida M, Neforos K. Prevalence of Spondylosis Deformans in Tailed Versus Tail-Docked Rottweilers. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2019; 55:301-305. [PMID: 31525089 DOI: 10.5326/jaaha-ms-6966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tail docking is a routine procedure for rottweilers in the United States and Canada. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in tailed (n = 25) and docked (n = 39) rottweilers ≥5 yr old to compare prevalence and severity of spondylosis deformans in the lumbar spine between groups. The prevalence of spondylosis was 68.0% in tailed dogs and 76.9% in docked dogs, which was not significantly different (P = .563). Distribution of spondylosis severity did not significantly differ between tailed and docked dogs (P = .102). Logistic regression found moderate to severe spondylosis was associated with age and sex. Females were three times at greater risk than males (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 1.060-9.08; P = .039). Risk increased 1.4 times for each additional year (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.99, P = .036). Tail docking may not impact or only play a minor role in spondylosis deformans in rottweilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Ihrke
- From Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Homer Glen, Illinois (A.I., K.N.); Healing Oasis Wellness Center, Sturtevant, Wisconsin (P.R.); Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation Sports Medicine, Hanover Park, Illinois (R.L.); and Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California (M.G.)
| | - Pedro Riviera
- From Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Homer Glen, Illinois (A.I., K.N.); Healing Oasis Wellness Center, Sturtevant, Wisconsin (P.R.); Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation Sports Medicine, Hanover Park, Illinois (R.L.); and Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California (M.G.)
| | - Rosemary LoGuidice
- From Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Homer Glen, Illinois (A.I., K.N.); Healing Oasis Wellness Center, Sturtevant, Wisconsin (P.R.); Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation Sports Medicine, Hanover Park, Illinois (R.L.); and Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California (M.G.)
| | - Michelle Guiffrida
- From Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Homer Glen, Illinois (A.I., K.N.); Healing Oasis Wellness Center, Sturtevant, Wisconsin (P.R.); Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation Sports Medicine, Hanover Park, Illinois (R.L.); and Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California (M.G.)
| | - Kathleen Neforos
- From Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Homer Glen, Illinois (A.I., K.N.); Healing Oasis Wellness Center, Sturtevant, Wisconsin (P.R.); Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation Sports Medicine, Hanover Park, Illinois (R.L.); and Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California (M.G.)
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Troncoso RJ, Herzberg DE, Meneses CS, Müller HY, Werner MP, Bustamante H. Mechanical/thermal sensitivity and superficial temperature in the stump of long-term tail-docked dairy cows. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5213. [PMID: 30042886 PMCID: PMC6054783 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tail docking of dairy cows is a painful procedure that affects animal welfare level. The aims of this study were first to evaluate the response to mechanical and thermal stimulation, and second to determine the superficial temperature of the stump of tail-docked dairy cows. Methods One hundred and sixty-four dairy cows were enrolled. From these, 133 cows were assigned to the tail-docked (TD) group and 31 cows were selected as control animals. The following sensory assessments to evaluate pain in tail-docked cows were performed. Sensitivity of the tail region in both groups of animals was evaluated using a portable algometer. Cold and heat sensitivity assessment was performed using a frozen pack (0 °C) and warm water (45 °C), respectively. Pinprick sensitivity was evaluated using a Wartenberg neurological pinwheel. Superficial temperature was evaluated using a thermographic camera. All sensory assessments and superficial temperature were evaluated in the ventral surface of the tail stump (TD) and tail (C). Results Pressure pain threshold was lower in TD cows (5.97 ± 0.19 kg) compared to control cows (11.75 ± 0.43 kg). Heat and cold sensitivity was higher in the TD cows compared to control cows with 29% and 23% of TD cows responding positively, respectively. Similarly, after pinprick sensitivity test was performed, 93% of TD cows elicited a positive response to stimulation. Tail-docked cows had lower superficial temperature (26.4 ± 0.27 °C) compared to control cows (29.9 ± 0.62 °C). Discussion Pressure pain threshold values in both groups of animals were higher than those previously reported for TD pigs, sows and cows. In contrast, pinprick stimulation evaluates the presence of punctate mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia, usually related to traumatic nerve injury, and this association may reveal that it is possible that these animals developed a disorder associated to the development of a tail stump neuroma and concurrent neuropathic pain, previously reported in TD lambs, pigs and dogs. Thermal sensitivity showed that TD cows responded positively to heat and cold stimulation. These findings suggest that long-term TD cows could be suffering hyperalgesia/allodynia, which may be indicative of chronic pain. Lower superficial temperature in the stump may be associated to sympathetic fiber sprouting in the distal stump, which can lead to vasoconstriction and lower surface temperatures. Further studies are needed in order to confirm neuroma development and adrenergic sprouting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata J Troncoso
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Daniel E Herzberg
- Graduate School, School of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Constanza S Meneses
- Graduate School, School of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Heine Y Müller
- Graduate School, School of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Marianne P Werner
- Animal Science Department/School of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Hedie Bustamante
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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Di Giminiani P, Edwards SA, Malcolm EM, Leach MC, Herskin MS, Sandercock DA. Characterization of short- and long-term mechanical sensitisation following surgical tail amputation in pigs. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4827. [PMID: 28684801 PMCID: PMC5500571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial pigs are frequently exposed to tail mutilations in the form of preventive husbandry procedures (tail docking) or as a result of abnormal behaviour (tail biting). Although tissue and nerve injuries are well-described causes of pain hypersensitivity in humans and in rodent animal models, there is no information on the changes in local pain sensitivity induced by tail injuries in pigs. To determine the temporal profile of sensitisation, pigs were exposed to surgical tail resections and mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) were measured in the acute (one week post-operatively) and in the long-term (either eight or sixteen weeks post-surgery) phase of recovery. The influence of the degree of amputation on MNTs was also evaluated by comparing three different tail-resection treatments (intact, ‘short tail’, ‘long tail’). A significant reduction in MNTs one week following surgery suggests the occurrence of acute sensitisation. Long-term hypersensitivity was also observed in tail-resected pigs at either two or four months following surgery. Tail amputation in pigs appears to evoke acute and sustained changes in peripheral mechanical sensitivity, which resemble features of neuropathic pain reported in humans and other species and provides new information on implications for the welfare of animals subjected to this type of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Di Giminiani
- School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom.
| | - Sandra A Edwards
- School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Emma M Malcolm
- School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew C Leach
- School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Mette S Herskin
- Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science, Au-Foulum, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Dale A Sandercock
- Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, United Kingdom
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