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Elmi A, Correa F, Ventrella D, Scozzoli M, Vannetti NI, Govoni N, Truzzi E, Belperio S, Trevisi P, Bacci ML, Nannoni E. Can environmental nebulization of lavender essential oil (L. angustifolia) improve welfare and modulate nasal microbiota of growing pigs? Res Vet Sci 2024; 171:105251. [PMID: 38554612 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The use of phytoextracts has been proposed as a method to improve animal welfare, also in pigs, by reducing stress and anxiety and improving performances. Lavandula angustifolia (Miller) essential oil (LaEO) is an interesting calming phytoextract that could be administered by inhalation for prolonged periods of time to help pigs coping with on-farm conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of daily inhalation of vaporized LaEO on pigs' welfare and health indicators, and nasal microbiota, trying to understand whether this phytoextract represents a feasible tool to improve animal welfare under intensive farming conditions. Eighty-four crossbred barrows were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: control (C); lavender (L): 3 vaporization sessions of 10 min each of a custom made 1% solution of LaEO; sham (S): same vaporization sessions of L group but only using the solution vehicle. Experimental readouts included growth parameters, behavioural traits, tail and skin lesions, hair steroids and nasal microbiota. L group animals did not show altered growth performance and seemed calmer (increased recumbency time), with decreased amount of skin lesions also associated with lower severity class for tail lesions. They also showed decreased CORT/DHEA ratio, potentially suggesting a beneficial effect of LaEO. Inhalation of LaEO significantly affected the nasal pig microbiome by reducing its diversity. Overall, the study suggests how inhalation of Lavender essential oil may be capable of improving welfare in growing pigs, yet it is pivotal to consider the microbial modulatory capabilities of essential oils before exploiting them on larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Correa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Scozzoli
- SIROE - Italian Society for Research on Essential Oils (Società Italiana per la Ricerca sugli Oli Essenziali), Viale Regina Elena, 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Niccolò Ian Vannetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Truzzi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Simona Belperio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Trevisi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Nannoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Svoboda M, Nemeckova M, Medkova D, Sardi L, Hodkovicova N. Non-invasive methods for analysing pig welfare biomarkers. VET MED-CZECH 2024; 69:137-155. [PMID: 38841131 PMCID: PMC11148715 DOI: 10.17221/17/2024-vetmed] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, the assessment of pig welfare quality has gained significant importance, prompting the exploration of novel biomarkers for this purpose. Traditionally, these biomarkers have been monitored in the blood; however, blood sampling is considered an invasive procedure. Currently, non-invasive methods for collecting samples are emerging as viable alternatives for assessing these biomarkers. This article aims to present the current knowledge regarding the use of non-invasive methods for analysing pig welfare biomarkers, specifically focusing on the saliva, hair, faeces, and urine as matrices to determine these biomarkers. The saliva analysis encompasses various biomarkers, such as cortisol, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A, the total esterase, oxytocin, acute phase proteins, adenosine deaminase, immunoglobulins and parameters of redox homeostasis. Cortisol, a specific biomarker, can be determined in the hair, urine and faeces, while urine samples allow for the analysis of catecholamines as non-invasive markers of pig welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Svoboda
- Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nemeckova
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Medkova
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Nikola Hodkovicova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
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John MS, Chinnappan M, Artami M, Bhattacharya M, Keogh RA, Kavanaugh J, Sharma T, Horswill AR, Harris-Tryon TA. Androgens at the skin surface regulate S. aureus pathogenesis through the activation of agr quorum sensing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.10.579753. [PMID: 38370751 PMCID: PMC10871326 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.10.579753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, the most frequent cause of skin infections, is more common in men than women and selectively colonizes the skin during inflammation. Yet, the specific cues that drive infection in these settings remain unclear. Here we show that the host androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone promote S. aureus pathogenesis and skin infection. Without the secretion of these hormones, skin infection in vivo is limited. Testosterone activates S. aureus virulence in a concentration dependent manner through stimulation of the agr quorum sensing system, with the capacity to circumvent other inhibitory signals in the environment. Taken together, our work defines a previously uncharacterized inter-kingdom signal between the skin and the opportunistic pathogen S. aureus and identifies the mechanism of sex-dependent differences in S. aureus skin infection. One-Sentence Summary Testosterone promotes S. aureus pathogenesis through activation of the agr quorum sensing system.
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Levallois P, Leblanc-Maridor M, Lehébel A, Gavaud S, Lieubeau B, Hervé J, Fourichon C, Belloc C. Hair cortisol concentration in finishing pigs on commercial farms: variability between pigs, batches, and farms. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1298756. [PMID: 38317789 PMCID: PMC10839108 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1298756] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hair cortisol is a stress indicator and could be used to assess the pigs' exposure to stressors in the weeks/months prior to non-invasive hair sampling. The main aim of this study was to describe the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) variability between individuals within a batch, between farms and between batches within a farm. The secondary aim was to determine how the number of sampled pigs influences the characterization of HCC within a batch. Twenty farrow-to-finish pig farms were recruited considering the diversity of their management practices and health status (data collected). Hair was sampled in two separate batches, 8 months apart. The necks of 24 finishing pigs were clipped per batch the week prior to slaughter. To describe the variability in HCC, an analysis of the variance model was run with three explanatory variables (batch, farm and their interaction). To identify farm clusters, a principal component analysis followed by a hierarchical clustering was carried out with four active variables (means and standard deviations of the two batches per farm) and 17 supplementary variables (management practices, herd health data). We determined how the number of sampled pigs influenced the characterization of HCC within a batch by selecting subsamples of the results. HCC ranged from 0.4 to 121.6 pg/mg, with a mean of 25.9 ± 16.2 pg/mg. The variability in HCC was mainly explained by differences between pigs (57%), then between farms (24%), between batches within the same farm (16%) and between batches (3%). Three clusters of farms were identified: low homogeneous concentrations (n = 3 farms), heterogeneous concentrations with either higher (n = 7) or lower (n = 10) HCC in batch 2 than in batch 1. The diversity of management practices and health statuses allowed to discuss hypotheses explaining the HCC variations observed. We highlighted the need to sample more than 24 pigs to characterize HCC in a pig batch. HCC differences between batches on six farms suggest sampling pigs in more than one batch to describe the HCC at the farm level. HCC variations described here confirm the need to study its links with exposure of pigs to stressors.
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Aniballi C, Elmi A, Govoni N, Bulla T, Canelli E, Casalini A, Bacci ML, Ventrella D. Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study. Vet World 2023; 16:2150-2157. [PMID: 38023267 PMCID: PMC10668552 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2150-2157] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Seasonal changes, especially temperature and photoperiod, are well-known determining factors of swine reproductive capacity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and seasonal variations on boar seminal plasma steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], cortisol [CORT], and testosterone [TEST]) over 1 year. Materials and Methods Four commercial hybrid adult boars (Large White × Duroc), aged between 12 and 44 months, were repeatedly evaluated at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna. Daily temperature and light hours relating to the collection date were considered for each observation within the four astronomical seasons: Winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Hormones were quantified using radioimmunoassay. The association between seasonal factors and hormone concentrations was evaluated using linear regression models. Univariate models were estimated for each hormone to assess the influence of the independent variables; two multivariate models were assessed to evaluate the effect of temperature and daylight hours, including boar and season factors. Results Age significantly affected all analyzed hormones (CORT p < 0.0001; DHEA p < 0.0001; and TEST p < 0.0001). The highest average levels were found for each hormone during summertime, suggesting a positive correlation between steroid concentrations with temperature and light hours. Conclusion The results of this study support the hypothesis that the increase in external temperature and light hours is somehow associated with higher levels of steroid concentrations in the seminal plasma of in-housed boars. These findings may help further investigate seasonal fluctuations in reproductive outcomes, which are well-known for porcine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Aniballi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Tiziana Bulla
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Belle Arti, 41, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Canelli
- Swine Practitioner, PBA s.r.l., Via Gerole, 1, 26861, Fombio, LO, Italy
| | - Antonio Casalini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
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Fecal Microbiota and Hair Glucocorticoid Concentration Show Associations with Growth during Early Life in a Pig Model. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214639. [PMID: 36364901 PMCID: PMC9655727 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214639] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying characteristics associated with fast or slow growth during early life in a pig model will help in the design of nutritional strategies or recommendations during infancy. The aim of this study was to identify if a differential growth during lactation and/or the nursery period may be associated with fecal microbiota composition and fermentation capacity, as well as to leave a print of glucocorticoid biomarkers in the hair. Seventy-five commercial male and female pigs showing extreme growth in the lactation and nursery periods were selected, creating four groups (First, lactation growth, d0−d21; second, nursery growth, d21−d62): Slow_Slow, Slow_Fast, Fast_Slow, and Fast_Fast. At d63 of life, hair and fecal samples were collected. Fast-growing pigs during nursery had higher cortisone concentrations in the hair (p < 0.05) and a tendency to have a lower cortisol-to-cortisone ratio (p = 0.061). Both lactation and nursery growth conditioned the fecal microbiota structure (p < 0.05). Additionally, fast-growing pigs during nursery had higher evenness (p < 0.05). Lactation growth influenced the relative abundance of eight bacterial genera, while nursery growth affected only two bacterial genera (p < 0.05). The fecal butyrate concentration was higher with fast growth in lactation and/or nursery (p < 0.05), suggesting it has an important role in growth, while total SCFA and acetate were related to lactation growth (p < 0.05). In conclusion, piglets’ growth during nursery and, especially, the lactation period was associated with changes in their microbiota composition and fermentation capacity, evidencing the critical role of early colonization on the establishment of the adult microbiota. Additionally, cortisol conversion to cortisone was increased in animals with fast growth, but further research is necessary to determine its implications.
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Saluti G, Ricci M, Castellani F, Colagrande MN, Di Bari G, Vulpiani MP, Cerasoli F, Savini G, Scortichini G, D'Alterio N. Determination of hair cortisol in horses: comparison of immunoassay vs LC-HRMS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:8093-8105. [PMID: 36136115 PMCID: PMC9613578 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The measure of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is becoming an emerging approach to monitor mid-/long-term stress in animals, so it is more and more important to develop accurate and reliable methods. In the light of this, the aim of the present study was to compare mane HCCs of 47 horses with different managements, by means of an immunoassay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). After the washing step, the ground hair was extracted with methanol. The extract was evaporated and redissolved in two different aqueous solutions, depending on the detection technique. The methods were validated according to EMA guideline for bioanalytical method validation, in the range 2–50 pg mg−1 (ELISA) and 1–100 pg mg−1 (LC-HRMS/MS). Satisfactory quantitative performances were obtained for both of the approaches, but this latter demonstrated better precision. The detected concentrations in real samples were encompassing the range 1.3–8.8 pg mg−1 and 2.0–17.9 pg mg−1 by means of LC-HRMS/MS and ELISA, respectively. Overall, HCCs measured with ELISA technique were 1.6 times higher. The overestimation of immunoassay results might be caused by cross-reactivity phenomena of laboratory reagents and other structurally similar hormones present in the mane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Saluti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Matteo Ricci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Castellani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Colagrande
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Bari
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Podaliri Vulpiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerasoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giampiero Scortichini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alterio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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Tokareva M, Brown JA, MacPhee DJ, Janz DM, Seddon YM. The effect of providing a greater freedom of movement through periodic exercise on the welfare and stress physiology of stall-housed gestating sows and on piglet behaviour. Anim Welf 2022. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.3.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In Canada, the 2014 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs proposed the continued operation of existing stall barns after 2024 on condition that bred sows be given access to periodic exercise. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of periodic exercise on sow welfare.
Sows (n = 180) were assigned to one of three treatments: stall-housed (Control: C); stall-housed and exercised weekly for 10 min (Exercise: E); and group-housed (Group: G). Sow postures and stereotypies were recorded once per week in early, mid and late gestation before (AM) and after (PM)
exercise. Female piglets (n = 168 from C, E and G sows) underwent isolation and novel object tests at 19–22 days of age. Postures differed by treatment in AM with G sows lying more and sitting less than C and E sows, which did not differ. In PM, E sows sat more than G sows, with C sows
being intermediate. In early gestation, G sows performed fewer stereotypies than E sows, with C sows being intermediate. In mid gestation, G sows performed fewer stereotypies than C and E sows, which did not differ. Piglets from C sows were more active in the novel object test than E and G
piglets, which did not differ. Group housing improved sow comfort (indicated by postures) and reduced sow stress (indicated by stereotypies), but periodic exercise did not. Decreased activity level in piglets from sows given greater freedom of movement indicates that gestation housing can
influence the behaviour of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tokareva
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - JA Brown
- Prairie Swine Centre Inc, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7H 5N9, Canada
| | - DJ MacPhee
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - DM Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - YM Seddon
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
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Otten W, Heimbürge S, Tuchscherer A, Kanitz E. The age of hair matters – the incorporation of cortisol by external contamination is enhanced in distal hair segments of pigs and cattle. Animal 2022; 16:100495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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The Effect of Lift Crates on Piglet Survival Rate and Sow Stress Level during Farrowing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060745. [PMID: 35327142 PMCID: PMC8944724 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of lift farrowing crates on piglet mortality by crushing and on sow welfare. Eighty-four sows were considered in the one-year experiment in three monitoring sessions. In each session, 14 sows were housed in a room with conventional crates (CC), and 14 sows were lodged in a room equipped with lift crates (LC). The sows, of the same genetics, with parity ranging from 2 to 9, were randomly distributed in CC and LC rooms. No primiparous sows were considered in the study to avoid sows unexperienced with the dynamics of lift crates. The numbers of crushed piglets, assessed by the farm’s veterinarian, within 48 h, 72 h, and at weaning (28th day), were recorded. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was measured upon entry and exit from farrowing to evaluate stress level variation. Feet diseases and backfat thickness were evaluated to assess sows’ potential diseases induced by lift crates and metabolic problems. The results show that the number of crushed piglets per sow was higher in the CC rooms than in the LC rooms in the first two days after delivery (0.39 vs. 0.15, p < 0.05) and up to weaning (0.50 vs. 0.37; p < 0.05). Mean values of HCC variation in sows during farrowing were significantly different in the two housing systems and higher for the LC sows (0.53 pg/mg vs. 0.22 pg/mg; p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected for backfat variation and feet disease scoring between LC and CC sows. In conclusion, LC sows evidenced an increase in hair cortisol values during farrowing, probably caused by a higher stress status induced by the lift crate, along with the benefit of the higher survival rate of piglets before weaning.
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Galli MC, Gottardo F, Contiero B, Scollo A, Boyle LA. The changing face and associated drivers of research on welfare of the gestating sow. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.2002732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Costanza Galli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Flaviana Gottardo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Barbara Contiero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Annalisa Scollo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
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Effects of Wash Protocol and Contamination Level on Concentrations of Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Swine Hair. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113104. [PMID: 34827836 PMCID: PMC8614459 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Quantifying the hormones cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in swine hair is of increasing interest to evaluate long-term stress and resilience. Because swine hair is often contaminated with varying amounts of excrement, it needs to be decontaminated with a solvent prior to hair hormone extraction to rid the hair of potential external contaminants. However, it is unknown how contamination influences hair hormone concentrations, and if current wash protocols are effective in removing contamination. The goals of this study were thus, to determine if wash solvents (methanol versus isopropanol), contamination level (none, mild, or severe), and the number of washes (one, three, or five) influenced hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations. This study showed that hair cortisol, but not DHEA concentrations were reduced when external contamination was present, and that methanol was more effective at removing external contamination compared to isopropanol. There were also decreasing concentrations of cortisol and DHEA within the hair and wash solvent with an increasing number of washes. Thus, it is recommended not to use contaminated hair for hormone analysis, and to wash swine hair with a minimum of three 3 min methanol washes prior to analysis. Abstract The effect of washing procedure and contamination level on the concentrations of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in swine hair was explored over two studies. Hair shaved from finisher pigs (n = 8) and sows (n = 8, cortisol study 1 only) was split into two treatments (two hair samples/pig) to receive either three isopropanol or methanol washes, and two paired subsamples of hair were contaminated with feces and urine, mildly or severely. Samples were further subdivided and received one, three, or five methanol washes. Hormone concentrations were quantified from the hair and wash solvent, and the ratio of hormones in the solvent to that in the hair calculated. When grouping sow and grower hair together for analysis, hair cortisol concentrations were 13% greater after three isopropanol washes compared to methanol (22.84 ± 3.12 vs. 19.77 ± 2.64 pg/mg, respectively). When analyzing sow and grower hair separately, sow hair cortisol concentrations were 20% higher following three isopropanol washes compared to methanol washes (22.06 ± 5.21 vs. 27.72 ± 5.65 pg/mg), with no differences in grower pig hair concentrations. The solvent cortisol concentrations did not differ with wash solvent. No differences were seen for DHEA. Contamination level did not influence hormone concentrations. Hair cortisol concentrations were 24% higher after one wash compared to five washes (11.98 ± 1.47 vs. 9.05 ± 0.92 pg/mg), whereas the solvent cortisol concentrations were 80% and 84% higher after one wash compared to three and five washes, respectively (21.09 ± 4.04 vs. 4.21 ± 1.62 vs. 3.36 ± 1.32 pg/mg). The solvent–hair cortisol ratio was 65% and 73% higher following one wash compared to three and five washes (1.36 ± 0.80 vs. 0.47 ± 0.12 vs. 0.37 ± 0.14). Hair DHEA concentrations were 39% higher after one wash compared to five washes (42.39 ± 6.87 vs. 26.02 ± 5.69 pg/mg). The solvent DHEA concentrations, and the solvent–hair ratio for DHEA were 94% and 98% and 92% and 98% higher going from one wash to three and five washes, respectively (solvent: 5.07 ± 0.26 vs. 0.28 ± 0.12 vs. 0.12 ± 0.09 pg/mg and solvent–hair ratio: 0.13 ± 0.006 vs. 0.010 ± 0.004 vs. 0.003 ± 0.002). Following three methanol washes, the non-contaminated hair had 46% and 48% higher hair (17.47 ± 1.12 vs. 9.35 ± 0.80 vs. 9.05 ± 1.06 pg/mg) and a 76% and 72% higher solvent (16.31 ± 8.07 vs. 3.92 ± 0.50 vs. 4.50 ± 2.31 pg/mg) cortisol concentration compared to mild and severely contaminated hair, respectively. Wash solvent influences cortisol concentrations in swine hair, but not DHEA. Contaminated swine hair should be avoided in analyses when possible.
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Olvera-Maneu S, Carbajal A, Gardela J, Lopez-Bejar M. Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Their Ratios in Stallions as a Retrospective Measure of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axes Activity: Exploring the Influence of Seasonality. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082202. [PMID: 34438659 PMCID: PMC8388521 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082202] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The monitoring of a horse’s endocrine status can provide valuable information of its welfare and sexual and health conditions. The use of non-invasive matrixes for hormonal monitoring, as alternatives to blood samples, are being increasingly used. Among them, the measurement of hormones deposited in the hair shaft has been widely used as a retrospective hormonal biomarker. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations in hair C, T and DHEA-S in horses for a whole year, as well as to assess the variations between seasons of C/DHEA-S and T/C ratios as a retrospective measure of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity. The results showed how cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and their ratios were significantly affected by season. Therefore, as shown in this study, season should be considered when analysing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair. Abstract The monitoring of stress physiology includes studying a wide range of endocrinological mechanisms, which can be assessed using multiple tissue samples. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations of hair C, T and DHEA-S in horses for a whole year, as well as to assess the variations between seasons of C/DHEA-S and T/C ratios as a retrospective measure of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity. Ten pure-breed Menorca stallions were included in the study. The hair samples were collected approximately every two months following the shave-reshave method caudally to the sternum. After a methanol-based extraction, samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Following our findings, we detected that cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were significantly affected by seasonality, with the highest values of cortisol during summer and the lowest values of testosterone during spring. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations were increased in autumn compared to the other studied periods. Additionally, the studied hormone ratios showed variations between seasons. To conclude, season should, therefore, be considered when assessing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair, since this variable can be a potential influencing factor and led to misinterpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Olvera-Maneu
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (S.O.-M.); (M.L.-B.)
| | - Anaïs Carbajal
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Jaume Gardela
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Manel Lopez-Bejar
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.G.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
- Correspondence: (S.O.-M.); (M.L.-B.)
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López-Arjona M, Tecles F, Mateo SV, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Martínez-Miró S, Cerón JJ, Martínez-Subiela S. A Procedure for Oxytocin Measurement in Hair of Pig: Analytical Validation and a Pilot Application. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060527. [PMID: 34199172 PMCID: PMC8231541 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Oxytocin is gaining importance in human and animal studies because of its role in welfare stress response, but there is no evidence of oxytocin measurement in hair, which would allow an evaluation of this analyte over a long period of time. For this reason, in this study, a new immunoassay to measure oxytocin in the hair of pigs was developed and validated. In addition, the possible changes in concentrations of oxytocin in hair during the reproductive cycle of pigs were evaluated. The assay was precise and accurate and when applied to the hair extracts of pigs, higher oxytocin values were obtained at days 23 and 59 after farrowing in the winter–spring period. When oxytocin concentrations were compared to cortisone and cortisol, it showed moderate and low correlations, respectively. Based on the results of this report, oxytocin can be measured in the hair of pigs, and changes in concentrations can be detected during a pig’s reproductive cycle. Abstract There is growing interest in oxytocin as a biomarker of stress and welfare. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a procedure based on a highly sensitive immunoassay to measure oxytocin in the hair of pigs. In addition, a pilot study to apply this procedure to evaluate possible changes in concentrations of oxytocin in hair during the reproductive cycle of pigs at different periods of the year was conducted. This procedure used methanol for sample extraction, since it offered better recoveries than acetonitrile, and the immunoassay developed was precise and accurate for the quantification of the oxytocin in the hair. When this procedure was applied to hair collected at different times of the reproductive cycle and season, higher values were found at days 23 and 59 after farrowing in the winter–spring period. In addition, higher oxytocin values in the spring–summer period were found in hair collected 5 days before farrowing compared to winter–spring. Oxytocin in hair showed moderate and low correlations with cortisone and cortisol in hair, respectively. This study represents the first report in which oxytocin was measured in hair and could open new lines for future research about the measurement of oxytocin in pigs and other biological species as a biomarker of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina López-Arjona
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
| | - Fernando Tecles
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
| | - Sandra V. Mateo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
| | - María Dolores Contreras-Aguilar
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
| | - Silvia Martínez-Miró
- Departament of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain;
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-868884722
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; (M.L.-A.); (F.T.); (S.V.M.); (M.D.C.-A.); (S.M.-S.)
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15
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Carroll RP, Litvaitis MK, Foxall T. Bobcat Hair Cortisol Correlates with Land Use and Climate. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rory P. Carroll
- Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University Magnolia AR 71753 USA
| | | | - Thomas Foxall
- University of New Hampshire 105 Main Street Durham NH 03824 USA
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Wiechers DH, Brunner S, Herbrandt S, Kemper N, Fels M. Analysis of Hair Cortisol as an Indicator of Chronic Stress in Pigs in Two Different Farrowing Systems. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:605078. [PMID: 33585618 PMCID: PMC7876061 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.605078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Confinement to farrowing crates is known to prevent sows from performing natural behavior, impairing animal welfare and possibly causing chronic stress. Hair cortisol analyses are increasingly used to detect chronic stress in animals. In the present study, hair samples were collected in the neck of sows kept either in farrowing crates (FC, n = 31) or in a loose-housing system (LH, n = 30) in six batches. Cortisol was extracted and analyzed using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Mean hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) did not differ significantly between the systems (LH: 1.85 ± 0.82 pg/mg, FC: 2.13 ± 1.53 pg/mg, P = 0.631). HCC was also not affected by other factors, such as sows' parity, number of piglets, skin lesion score or sow's weight loss during the farrowing period. However, highly significant differences were found in hair growth rates between different regions within the 20 × 30 cm shaving area. While the hair in both lateral parts of the shaving area grew almost identically (left: 7.48 ± 3.52 mm, right: 7.44 ± 3.24 mm, P = 1.00), the hair grew more in the area above the spine (12.27 + 3.95 mm, P < 0.001). In both systems, the mean individual lesion score of sows declined from the beginning to the end of the housing period (P < 0.001). No difference was found between FC and LH sows at any time (P > 0.05). Since neither the amount of skin lesions nor HCC differed between LH and FC sows, it may be concluded that confining sows in farrowing crates did not affect chronic stress levels. However, results may be affected by a downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during long-term stress, resulting in lower cortisol levels over time. HCC in sows may also be influenced by a dominant stressor, such as farrowing or the presence of suckling piglets. Thus, for a comparison of different farrowing systems regarding chronic stress, the use of hair cortisol measurement seems to be limited. The present results revealed that differences in hair growth rate within the same body region exist. This important finding should be considered when collecting hair samples in pigs, since hair cortisol concentrations may vary depending on hair growth and length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dierck-Hinrich Wiechers
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Susanne Brunner
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Michaela Fels
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
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Quantification of Hair Corticosterone, DHEA and Testosterone as a Potential Tool for Welfare Assessment in Male Laboratory Mice. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122408. [PMID: 33339323 PMCID: PMC7766173 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroids, providing information regarding several biological patterns including stress and sexual behavior, have been investigated in different matrices in laboratory mice. Data regarding hair quantification, indicative of longer timespans when compared to blood and saliva, are lacking. The aim of the work was to analyze the hormonal hair profile of laboratory male mice and to investigate potential relationships with age and housing, as a potential tool for welfare assessment. Fifty-six adult male C57BL/6J and C57BL/6OlaHsd substrain mice were included in the study, housed in pairs or groups. Testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were quantified by radioimmunoassay, corticosterone (CORT) by ELISA. Mean hormone levels were 6.42 pg/mg for T, 23.16 pg/mg for DHEA and 502.1 pg/mg for CORT. Age influenced all hormones by significantly increasing T and DHEA levels and decreasing CORT; only DHEA, significantly higher in grouped mice, was influenced by housing conditions. The influence of age indicates the need for accurate age-related reference intervals, while the higher levels of DHEA in grouped animals suggests that such housing practice may be beneficial for social interactions. In conclusion, it seems that hair hormones quantification may be a good tool for welfare assessment in laboratory mice and may help in refining husbandry.
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18
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Sardi L, Gastaldo A, Borciani M, Bertolini A, Musi V, Garavaldi A, Martelli G, Cavallini D, Nannoni E. Pre-Slaughter Sources of Fresh Meat Quality Variation: The Case of Heavy Pigs Intended for Protected Designation of Origin Products. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122386. [PMID: 33327382 PMCID: PMC7764830 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focused on loin quality in Italian heavy pigs intended for the production of PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin) products, and investigated the pre-slaughter factors which negatively affect the quality of fresh meat. Data were collected on 44 shipments (loads) of pigs. Shipments were carried out under commercial conditions. Several pre-slaughter parameters were recorded within the entire process (on-farm, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse). On a subset of pigs (10 animals from every load, N = 440), serum cortisol and creatine kinase were measured and loin samples were analyzed for pH, instrumental color, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and sensory quality. Cluster analysis of the instrumentally-assessed meat quality parameters allowed the categorization of the shipments into two clusters: lower quality (LQ) and higher quality (HQ). Our results showed that the factors with significant differences between the two clusters were journey duration, ambient temperature, distance traveled, and irregular behaviors (slipping, falling, and overlapping) at unloading (all greater in LQ, p < 0.05). The pre-slaughter conditions associated with lower loin quality were ambient temperatures above 22 °C, distance traveled above 26 km, travel duration between 38-66 min, more than 5.9% of animals showing irregular behaviors at unloading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (L.S.); (D.C.); (E.N.)
| | - Alessandro Gastaldo
- Foundation C.R.P.A. (Research Centre on Animal Production) Studies and Researches, Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Marzia Borciani
- C.R.P.A. (Research Centre on Animal Production), Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (V.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrea Bertolini
- Foundation C.R.P.A. (Research Centre on Animal Production) Studies and Researches, Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Valeria Musi
- C.R.P.A. (Research Centre on Animal Production), Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (V.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Anna Garavaldi
- C.R.P.A. (Research Centre on Animal Production), Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.B.); (V.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Giovanna Martelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (L.S.); (D.C.); (E.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (L.S.); (D.C.); (E.N.)
| | - Eleonora Nannoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (L.S.); (D.C.); (E.N.)
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Peric T, Comin A, Corazzin M, Montillo M, Prandi A. Comparison of AlphaLISA and RIA assays for measurement of wool cortisol concentrations. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05230. [PMID: 33102853 PMCID: PMC7569336 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods have always represented a technique of choice for the determination of steroids in biological samples. The Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogenous Assay-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (AlphaLISA) is now emerging as the new-generation immunoassay technology that does not require washing/separation steps. The aim of this study was to adapt the Perkin-Elmer's AlphaLISA kit for wool cortisol and compare it with a RIA wool cortisol assay. Wool from lambs, 35 at birth (A0) and 54 at two months old (A2), was collected and each extract was evaluated for wool cortisol concentrations (HCC) both by RIA and AlphaLISA immunoassay. The two methods showed good precision, sensitivity and specificity for determining HCC. Both methods were able to detect significant differences between the high and the low HCC assessed in lambs at A0 and A2 (P < 0.01). The HCC assessed with RIA were significantly higher than those assessed with AlphaLISA (P < 0.01). Moreover, the correlation between HCC measured using the AlphaLISA and RIA methods was strong (r = 0.878). The regression analyses show a constant and not proportional error. This could be due to the diversity in the dosage steps and to the diversity of the molecules used in the two methods. Results support the validity of using AlphaLISA as an alternative method to RIA for the quantification of cortisol in sheep wool and considering the performances showed it has a great potential to be further applied as an excellent tool to evaluate HCC in samples derived from animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Peric
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, DI4A, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Laboratorij za vede o okolju in življenju, Univerza v Novi Gorici, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| | - A. Comin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, DI4A, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - M. Corazzin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, DI4A, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - M. Montillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, DI4A, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - A. Prandi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, DI4A, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Otten W, Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Tuchscherer A. It's getting hairy - External contamination may affect the validity of hair cortisol as an indicator of stress in pigs and cattle. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 295:113531. [PMID: 32535171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is increasingly used for the assessment of enhanced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, e.g., caused by repeated or long-term stressful conditions or pathologies. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the mechanisms and sources of cortisol incorporation into the hair and possible confounding factors, especially in non-human animals. Farm animals are usually kept under confined housing conditions, have close contact with each other and with soiled environments and may thus be exposed to contamination with urine, feces and saliva, which are known to contain substantial concentrations of cortisol or its metabolites. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the impact of contamination with urine, feces and saliva on the cortisol concentration in the hair of pigs and cattle. In an in vitro experiment, hair strands of 12 pigs and 12 cattle were repeatedly contaminated with urine and saliva, containing either low or high cortisol concentrations, or with the feces of the respective species and were compared with hair treated with water or untreated hair. Contamination was performed over 20 days for two hours daily. Thereafter, all samples were washed, ground, extracted and analyzed for HCCs following the same protocol. Our results showed that contamination with urine caused a considerable and concentration-dependent increase in HCCs in both species. Saliva had a comparable effect only in cattle. In addition, the treatment with water led to a reduction in the cortisol concentration of porcine hair, whereas contamination with feces caused an increase in HCC only in cattle. Our findings provide evidence that contamination of hair with cortisol-containing body fluids causes incorporation of cortisol into the hair shaft, probably via diffusion depending on the concentration gradient. In that case, cortisol in hair derived from contamination cannot be distinguished from cortisol originating from blood. Thus, contamination may affect the validity of hair cortisol as an indicator of HPA axis activity and cannot be prevented by decontamination protocols prior to analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried Otten
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Susen Heimbürge
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
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Identification of Possible Pre-Slaughter Indicators to Predict Stress and Meat Quality: A Study on Heavy Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10060945. [PMID: 32486015 PMCID: PMC7341522 DOI: 10.3390/ani10060945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at identifying possible pre-slaughter indicators and/or indexes to be used to predict pig stress response and meat quality variation. Data were collected on 44 shipments (loads) of Italian heavy pigs. For each shipment, several pre-slaughter parameters were recorded on farm, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse. Blood and meat samples were taken from 10 pigs from every of the 44 loads included in the study (N = 440). Blood samples were used to assess cortisol and creatine kinase levels, whereas meat samples were used to assess meat quality (pH, instrumental color, tenderness, water-holding capacity, and sensory analysis). Cluster analysis of blood parameters allowed the categorization of the shipments into two main clusters: Lower Stress (LS) and Higher Stress (HS). The variables/indexes statistically differing between the two clusters were: average vehicle speed during transport, welfare index at slaughter (i.e., "slaughter score"), overall transport and slaughter welfare index (TSWI), distance travelled, and behaviors (slips, falls, overlaps) during unloading, which appeared to be the best descriptors of the welfare conditions experienced by Italian heavy pigs during pre-slaughter handling. No consistent effects of the stress level experienced on meat quality was detected, which warrants the need for further studies conducted under more variable pre-slaughter conditions, with the aim of simplifying and improving the TSWI.
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López-Arjona M, Tecles F, Mateo SV, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Martínez-Miró S, Cerón JJ, Martínez-Subiela S. Measurement of cortisol, cortisone and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity in hair of sows during different phases of the reproductive cycle. Vet J 2020; 259-260:105458. [PMID: 32553232 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Two sensitive assays based on AlphaLISA technology were developed and validated for the measurement of cortisol and cortisone in hair of pigs, that also enabled estimation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity. These assays were applied to hair samples from sows (n = 32) collected at 5 days before, and at 23 and 59 after farrowing, in reproductive cycles in two different periods: spring-summer (n = 16) and winter-spring (n = 16). The assays were precise (imprecision <12%) and accurate (recovery range, 80-115%) for cortisol and cortisone determination. Hair cortisone concentrations and the cortisone/cortisol ratio (an estimate of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme type 2 activity) increased after farrowing more than cortisol, being these changes of higher magnitude during periods of higher atmospheric temperature. The measurement of hair cortisone concentrations and estimations of the activity of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme type 2, measured by the assays developed in this study, are complementary biomarkers to hair cortisol, and can increase at periods associated with stress, such as farrowing and lactation, especially at high atmospheric temperatures. .
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Affiliation(s)
- M López-Arjona
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - F Tecles
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - S V Mateo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - M D Contreras-Aguilar
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Martínez-Miró
- Departament of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - J J Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
| | - S Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Tuchscherer A, Otten W. Within a hair's breadth - Factors influencing hair cortisol levels in pigs and cattle. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 288:113359. [PMID: 31830475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has proven to be a promising marker for the evaluation of increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity caused by repeated or long-term stressful conditions. A minimally invasive sampling procedure, simple storage and the retrospective characteristic of one hair sample are reasons why HCC is increasingly used not only in human medicine but also in animal welfare research. However, before applying HCC as a reliable indicator for stress, it is important to investigate potential influencing factors in addition to stressors in the species of interest. Thus, the aim of our study was to elucidate the impact of age, sex, hair color, body region, age of hair segments and season of hair sampling on HCC in pigs and cattle. Hair samples were taken by electric clippers and analyzed by ELISA after extraction. Our results show similar effects of influencing factors in both species. Significantly increased HCCs were found in young animals after birth compared with older age groups. In addition, HCCs were significantly higher in samples obtained from the tail tip in comparison with samples from the shoulder, neck and back regions, in black hair compared with white hair and in distal hair segments. Season had an impact on HCC only in cattle, which exhibited higher levels in winter than in summer. In conclusion, age, body region, hair color, hair segment and season affect hair cortisol concentrations and should be considered and controlled for when HCC is applied as a potential stress indicator in pigs and cattle. In addition, further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which cortisol is incorporated into the hair shaft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susen Heimbürge
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Winfried Otten
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
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Ventrella D, Elmi A, Bertocchi M, Aniballi C, Parmeggiani A, Govoni N, Bacci ML. Progesterone and Cortisol Levels in Blood and Hair of Wild Pregnant Red Deer ( Cervus Elaphus) Hinds. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E143. [PMID: 31963117 PMCID: PMC7022734 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) is one of the largest deer species in the world. Females are seasonal polyestrous, with negative photoperiod: the increase of the night peak of melatonin determines the secretion of GnRH and, therefore, LH and FSH. To date there is little information regarding the hormonal control during pregnancy for this species; this could be due to the difficulty of sampling wild subjects, while farmed animals' hormonal concentrations may not reflect the physiology of the animal in a natural state. In this study we evaluated the concentration of cortisol and progesterone, extracted from blood and hair, on 10 wild and pregnant red deer females. Belonging to the population of the Bolognese Apennines (Italy), the hinds were sampled in the January-March 2018 period, according to the regional selective hunting plan. Plasma progesterone (P4) ranged from a minimum of 1.9 to a maximum of 7.48 ng/mL; while hair P4 concentrations varied from 41.68 to 153.57 pg/mg. The plasma and hair cortisol ranges are respectively 0.4-2.97 ng/mL and 0.03-0.55 pg/mg; the only significant correlation was found between hair concentration of P4 and the date of death. The results of this preliminary study represent a small step towards a better knowledge of this species' physiology during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martina Bertocchi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy; (D.V.); (A.E.); (C.A.); (A.P.); (N.G.); (M.L.B.)
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25
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Physiological and economic benefits of abandoning invasive surgical procedures and enhancing animal welfare in swine production. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16093. [PMID: 31695123 PMCID: PMC6834556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52677-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Food-animal welfare is a major ethical and social concern. Pork is the most consumed meat worldwide, with over a billion pigs slaughtered annually. Most of these pigs routinely undergo painful surgical procedures (surgical castration, tail docking, teeth clipping), which farmers often reluctant to avoid, claiming it would increase cost and reduce production efficiency. Herein, this study indicates that these procedures compromise pigs' health and condition. Replacing surgical castration with immunocastration, avoiding tail docking and teeth clipping, and providing environmental enrichment, resulted in significant increase in weight gain, lowered risks for injuries and death, and reduced saliva and hair cortisol, both biomarkers for stress. Testosterone and DHEA analyses confirmed that immunocastration was an effective alternative to surgical castration. Economic models for the entire US swine market revealed that following across-the-board acceptance of this management, pork meat price is expected to drop, while the total annual social welfare (combined consumer and producer surplus) is expected to increase by $US 1.48 to 1.92 billion. In conclusion, sustainable swine farming management can be beneficial for both animals and farmers. Applying such welfare-friendly management is expected to reduce stress, enhance piglet/pig welfare and production, and improve the economics of swine operations in the global agro-food system.
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Baier F, Grandin T, Engle T, Edwards-Callaway L. Evaluation of Hair Characteristics and Animal Age on the Impact of Hair Cortisol Concentration in Feedlot Steers. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:323. [PMID: 31616679 PMCID: PMC6768966 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair cortisol is a novel biomarker of chronic stress. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hair color and length, as well as, animal age on hair cortisol concentration in beef feedlot steers. Nineteen beef crossbred steers used for nutrition research and housed in a small feedlot setting were used for this study. Seven of the steers (680 ± 4.5 kg; ~9 years of age) were fitted with ruminal fistulas and duodenal cannulas. The other 12 steers (473 ± 3.1 kg; ~2.5 years of age) were fitted with only ruminal fistulas. Hair samples from each steer were collected throughout a period of 6 weeks from six different areas and analyzed for cortisol concentrations. One pre-determined area was shaved each week for 5 weeks (Weeks 1–5). During week 6, all five, previously shaved areas and an additional area was shaved to collect hair samples of various lengths. Hair length was recorded prior to the collection of each hair sample. Only data from the last week (Week 6) of collection were included in the analyses. Steers were categorized into one of three groups: old with black hair (OB, n = 3); old with white hair (OW, n = 3); young with black hair (YB, n = 12). Older steers exhibited greater hair cortisol concentrations than younger steers (P < 0.001). Hair cortisol concentration was not impacted by duration of growth (P = 0.33). Cortisol concentrations exhibited a weak, positive correlation with hair length (r = 0.33, P-value = 0.01). The average hair growth per week of beef steers in the winter months was calculated to be 0.90 mm. Further research should be performed to improve our understanding of the effect of hair characteristics, sampling methodologies and analysis techniques on hair cortisol concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Baier
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Temple Grandin
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Terry Engle
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Lily Edwards-Callaway
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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Cortisol, DHEA, and Sexual Steroid Concentrations in Fattening Pigs' Hair. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9060345. [PMID: 31212851 PMCID: PMC6616490 DOI: 10.3390/ani9060345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rearing of heavy pigs in Italy is an important part of the production of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) hams. Along with the standard quality characteristics, the quality of products with animal origin is also assessed by the level of animal welfare. Evaluation of hair steroid concentrations has been considered an effective approach to assess stress in mammals. The advantage of using hair for this process is that it provides an integrated measure of hormone concentrations over medium- and long-term periods, it can be simply and non-invasively collected, and it does not require any special expedient for storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hair cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and sexual steroid concentrations in fattening pigs at 36 weeks of age before slaughtering through a non-invasive approach. Females had significantly higher cortisol levels, significantly lower concentrations of DHEA, and significantly higher cortisol/DHEA ratios than barrows. Progesterone was significantly higher in gilts than in barrows. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly higher in barrows than in gilts. These results will allow us to plan future research with the aim of identifying threshold values in order to set up strategies to control the allostatic load and to increase the resilience of fattening pigs. Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and reliability of using hair as a matrix to determine the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and sexual steroid concentrations and the cortisol/DHEA ratio in fattening pigs. The results could be also used to plan future research to identify threshold values in order to set up strategies to control the allostatic load and increase the resilience of fattening pigs before slaughter. The study was conducted on 107 commercial crossbred rearing pigs. The hair samples were taken by shaving at the age of 36 weeks, and concentrations of the hormones were measured using a solid-phase microtiter radioimmunoassay. Females had significantly higher cortisol levels (p < 0.01), significantly lower DHEA concentrations (p < 0.05) and significantly higher cortisol/DHEA ratios (p < 0.01) than barrows. Progesterone was significantly higher in gilts than in barrows (p < 0.01). Testosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly higher in barrows than in gilts (p < 0.05). If future research can produce threshold values for the different markers examined, the evaluation of animals under subclinical stress conditions will be possible.
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28
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Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Otten W. The use of hair cortisol for the assessment of stress in animals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 270:10-17. [PMID: 30287191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is assumed to be a retrospective marker of integrated cortisol secretion and stress over longer periods of time. Its quantification is increasingly used in psychoneuroendocrinological studies in humans, but also in animal stress and welfare research. The measurement of HCCs for the assessment of stress offers many considerable benefits for use in domesticated and wild animals, especially due to the easy and minimally invasive sampling procedure and the representation of longer time periods in one sample. This review aims to outline the different fields of application and to assess the applicability and validity of HCC as an indicator for chronic stress or long-term activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in wild and domesticated animals. Specific hair characteristics are presented and the advantages and limitations of using HCC are discussed. An overview of findings on the impact of stress- and health-related factors on HCCs and of diverse influencing factors causing variation in hair cortisol levels in different species is given. Recommendations for the use of hair cortisol analysis are proposed and potential fields of future research are pointed out. The studies indicate an effect of age and pregnancy on HCCs, and cortisol incorporation into hair was also found to depend on hair colour, body region, sex and season of year, but these results are less consistent. Furthermore, the results in animals show that a wide array of stressors and pathological conditions alters the cortisol concentrations in hair and that HCC thereby provides a reliable and valid reflection of long-term cortisol secretion in many species. However, more research is necessary to investigate the underlying mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the hair and to explore the hair growth characteristics in the species of interest. To overcome confounding influences, the use of standardized sampling protocols is strongly advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susen Heimbürge
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Winfried Otten
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
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29
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Koren L, Bryan H, Matas D, Tinman S, Fahlman Å, Whiteside D, Smits J, Wynne‐Edwards K. Towards the validation of endogenous steroid testing in wildlife hair. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Koren
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Heather Bryan
- Department of GeographyUniversity of Victoria Victoria British Columbia Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sidney British Columbia Canada
| | - Devorah Matas
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Simon Tinman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Åsa Fahlman
- Swedish Biodiversity CentreSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Douglas Whiteside
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
- Calgary Zoo Alberta Canada
| | - Judit Smits
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
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30
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Roelofs S, Godding L, de Haan JR, van der Staay FJ, Nordquist RE. Effects of parity and litter size on cortisol measures in commercially housed sows and their offspring. Physiol Behav 2018; 201:83-90. [PMID: 30553897 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Breeding sows are regularly exposed to on-farm stressors throughout the duration of their production period. The impact of such stressors may differ for primi- and multiparous sows, as sows could learn to cope with stressors as they gain experience with them. If parity affects stress in sows, it may also impact their prenatal offspring through differential maternal stress. In addition to parity, litter size is another potential factor involved in stress of sows and piglets. Larger litters may be a source of discomfort for gestating sows, while it can result in intra-uterine growth restriction of piglets. In the current study, we aimed to assess whether parity and litter size affect cortisol measures in breeding sows and their offspring. To do this, we measured salivary cortisol concentrations of 16 primiparous and 16 multiparous sows at three time points: 1) while sows were group housed, 2) after sows were separated from the group prior to moving to the farrowing unit and 3) after handling procedures. In addition, hair cortisol concentration was determined for the sows during late gestation and for their low birth weight (n = 63) and normal birth weight (n = 43) offspring on day 3 after birth, to reflect in-utero cortisol exposure. It was expected that if sows adapt to on-farm stressors, the more experienced, multiparous sows would show decreased stress responses in comparison to primiparous sows. However, we found a comparable acute stress response of primi- and multiparous sows to separation from the group. Handling procedures did not influence sows' salivary cortisol concentrations. Sows' hair cortisol concentration was positively correlated with litter size. Future research is needed to assess whether this finding reflects increased stress in sows carrying larger litters. Parity or litter size did not have a direct effect on their offspring's hair cortisol concentration. Larger litters did have a higher occurrence of low birth weight piglets. For these piglets, females had higher neonatal hair cortisol concentrations than males. Overall, our results indicate that breeding sows do not adapt to all on-farm stressors. In addition, litter size may influence HPA axis activity in both sows and piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Roelofs
- Behavior & Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Godding
- Behavior & Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanne R de Haan
- Behavior & Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Almere, The Netherlands
| | - Franz Josef van der Staay
- Behavior & Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E Nordquist
- Behavior & Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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31
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Ventrella D, Elmi A, Barone F, Carnevali G, Govoni N, Bacci ML. Hair Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations in Pre- and Post-Rut Roe Deer Bucks: Correlations with Blood Levels and Testicular Morphometric Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8070113. [PMID: 29986391 PMCID: PMC6071184 DOI: 10.3390/ani8070113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The roe deer is a seasonally breeding species with a reproductive cycle regulated by endogenous rhythms and photoperiod-sensitivity. Sexually mature bucks show hormonal and testicular activation during the reproductive season, with a peak in the rut period, and following gradual involution. Hair is a good matrix for non-invasive endocrinological analyses that provide long-term information without being influenced by the hormones’ pulsating release patterns in blood. The aim of the work was to quantify hair concentrations of testosterone and cortisol in wild roe deer bucks hunted during the pre- and post-rut period, using a radioimmunoassay methodology, and to look for differences between the two periods. The secondary objective was the evaluation of possible correlations of such hair concentrations with blood and morphometric parameters of the testes. Both hormones showed statistical differences, with opposing trends, when comparing the two periods: testosterone increased while cortisol decreased. The correlation analysis was in agreement with existing literature regarding metabolism/actions of these hormones and testicular morphometric parameters. This study represents the first report of the use of radioimmunoassay techniques to quantify testosterone and cortisol in roe deer hair, and may provide interesting insights into their reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Francesca Barone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Giacomo Carnevali
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
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Nannoni E, Sardi L, Vitali M, Trevisi E, Ferrari A, Ferri ME, Bacci ML, Govoni N, Barbieri S, Martelli G. Enrichment devices for undocked heavy pigs: effects on animal welfare, blood parameters and production traits. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2018.1472531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nannoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Luca Sardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Marika Vitali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Erminio Trevisi
- Istituto di Zootecnica, Facoltà di Scienze agrarie, alimentari e ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
- PRONUTRIGEN – Centro di Ricerca sulla Nutrigenomica e Proteomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Annarita Ferrari
- Istituto di Zootecnica, Facoltà di Scienze agrarie, alimentari e ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Michela E. Ferri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Maria L. Bacci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Sara Barbieri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Martelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
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Carroll GA, Boyle LA, Hanlon A, Palmer MA, Collins L, Griffin K, Armstrong D, O’Connell NE. Identifying physiological measures of lifetime welfare status in pigs: exploring the usefulness of haptoglobin, C- reactive protein and hair cortisol sampled at the time of slaughter. Ir Vet J 2018; 71:8. [PMID: 29507716 PMCID: PMC5833096 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-018-0118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physiological measures indicative of the welfare status of animals during rearing could form part of an abattoir-based animal health and welfare assessment tool. A total of 66 pigs were used in this study, the aim of which was to assess how serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (assessed in 51 pigs), and hair concentrations of cortisol (assessed in 65 pigs), measured at or close to slaughter, reflected welfare-related indicators recorded from the animal during its lifetime. These indicators were recorded at intervals between 7 and 21 weeks of age and included assigning scores for levels of tail and skin lesions, recording the presence or absence of certain health issues, and conducting qualitative behavioural assessments (QBA). RESULTS Pigs recorded as having tail lesions during their lifetime had higher hair cortisol levels than those with no tail lesions (tail lesions: 47.87 ± 3.34 pg/mg, no tail lesions: 42.20 ± 3.29 pg/mg, P = 0.023), and pigs recorded as having moderate or severe tail lesions had higher Hp levels than those with no or mild tail lesions (moderate/severe: 1.711 mg/ml ± 0.74, none/mild: 0.731 mg/ml ±0.10, P = 0.010). Pigs recorded as being lame during their lifetime tended to have higher hair cortisol levels than non-lame pigs (lame: 52.72 pg/mg ± 3.83, not lame: 43.07 pg/mg ± 2.69, P = 0.062). QBA scores were not associated with any of the physiological measures (P > 0.05). Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analysis was also carried out to get a better understanding of the usefulness of the physiological measures in discriminating animals that had had welfare-related issues recorded during their lifetime from those that had not. Hair cortisol was determined as having 'moderate' accuracy in discriminating pigs that were tail bitten on-farm from unbitten pigs (AUC: 0.748) while Hp and CRP were determined to have no meaningful discriminatory ability (AUC < 0.600). CONCLUSION This research should be repeated on a larger scale, but the results suggest that hair cortisol measured at slaughter could provide insight into the welfare status of pigs during their lifetime. Hp may be a useful indicator of tail lesions in pigs. However, further research utilising a greater proportion of severely bitten pigs is required before conclusions can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. A. Carroll
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland Technology Centre, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5HN UK
| | - L. A. Boyle
- Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork Republic of Ireland
| | - A. Hanlon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - M. A. Palmer
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland Technology Centre, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5HN UK
| | - L. Collins
- Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS UK
| | - K. Griffin
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL UK
| | - D. Armstrong
- Agri-food and Biosciences Institute Pig Unit, Large Park, Hillsborough, Lisburn, County Down BT26 6DR UK
| | - N. E. O’Connell
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL UK
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Dias PAD, Coyohua-Fuentes A, Canales-Espinosa D, Chavira-Ramírez R, Rangel-Negrín A. Hormonal correlates of energetic condition in mantled howler monkeys. Horm Behav 2017; 94:13-20. [PMID: 28602941 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Hormones have a key role in energy allocation, so their study allows understanding individual metabolic strategies. Because different hormones convey different information on the responses of individuals to energetic demands, a simultaneous analysis of variation in multiple hormones may offer a more reliable picture of metabolic strategies than single hormone assessments. In this study we focused on determining which factors were related to variation in fecal glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone metabolites in wild mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). Over 12months, we determined fecal glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone metabolite levels of 11 adults belonging to two groups, and examined the relationship between hormone metabolites and a variety of behavioral, physiological, and ecological factors (e.g., food intake, sex/reproductive state, activity, participation in agonistic interactions). We found that glucocorticoids were elevated in gestating and lactating females compared to males and cycling females, and were also higher when individuals were more active and participated in agonistic interactions. Thyroid hormone levels were also related to sex/reproductive state and activity, but were additionally positively related to fruit intake and negatively related to young leaf intake. Our study demonstrates that the non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones of howler monkeys allows assessing different underlying physiological processes. By combining different biomarkers, which has seldom been done with wildlife, we could also parse the influence of psychological vs. metabolic challenges for individual energetic condition, which may be instrumental for deciding which factors should be accounted for when studying different hormone-behavior interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Américo D Dias
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Coyohua-Fuentes
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Domingo Canales-Espinosa
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | | | - Ariadna Rangel-Negrín
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
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Trevisan C, Montillo M, Prandi A, Mkupasi EM, Ngowi HA, Johansen MV. Hair cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in naturally Taenia solium infected pigs in Tanzania. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 246:23-28. [PMID: 28322765 PMCID: PMC5396532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to measure hair cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations in naturally Taenia solium infected and non-infected control pigs and assess the effect of an environmental change on the aforementioned parameters. Three hair patches were obtained from 13 T. solium infected and 15 non-infected controls sows, respectively corresponding to 3 time points (prior to, at and approximately two weeks after arrival at the research facility). Cortisol and DHEA were extracted using methanol and analysed by radio immune assay. Mean hair cortisol concentrations were significantly lower (p<0.001) in T. solium infected (4.7±3.0pg/mg) compared to control pigs (9.0±3.7pg/mg) prior to arrival at the research facility, however no significant difference was observed between the two groups at arrival and after approximately two weeks. Similar patterns were also observed for DHEA concentrations (infected pigs 253.9±82.3pg/mg, control pigs 387.7±116.4pg/mg) (p<0.001). Results showed that lean animals had significantly higher cortisol concentrations in both groups, infected and controls pigs, while DHEA was not significantly different between lean and normal animals. Results of this study have shown that an environmental change could have an effect on pigs' hormonal levels suggesting an undergoing adaptation process. After the pigs were kept under the same conditions, fed and watered ad libitum, no significant differences were observed between the groups, but a drop in DHEA concentrations was observed in all the pigs. Weight however had an effect on cortisol levels as lean animals had significantly higher cortisol concentrations in both groups, compared to normal pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Marta Montillo
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/A, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Alberto Prandi
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/A, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Ernatus M Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Helena A Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Maria V Johansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Casal N, Manteca X, Peña L R, Bassols A, Fàbrega E. Analysis of cortisol in hair samples as an indicator of stress in pigs. J Vet Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Burnard C, Ralph C, Hynd P, Hocking Edwards J, Tilbrook A. Hair cortisol and its potential value as a physiological measure of stress response in human and non-human animals. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/an15622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the potential for measuring cortisol in hair as a means of quantifying stress responses in human and non-human animals. This review updates the rapid advancement in our knowledge of hair cortisol, methods for its measurement, its relationship to acute and chronic stress, and its repeatability and heritability. The advantages of measuring cortisol in hair compared with other matrices such as blood, saliva and excreta and the current theories of the mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the fibre are described. Hair cortisol as a measure of the physiological response to stress in a variety of species is presented, including correlations with other sample matrices, the relationship between hair cortisol and psychosocial stress and the repeatability and heritability of hair cortisol concentrations. Current standards for the quantification of hair cortisol are critically reviewed in detail for the first time and gaps in technical validation of these methods highlighted. The known effects of a variety of sources of hair cortisol variation are also reviewed, including hair sampling site, sex, age and adiposity. There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that cortisol concentration in hair accurately reflects long-term blood cortisol concentrations. Similarly, there is a lack of information surrounding the mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the hair. This review highlights several directions for future research to more fully validate the use of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress.
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Effect of environmental enrichment and herbal compound supplementation on physiological stress indicators (chromogranin A, cortisol and tumour necrosis factor-α) in growing pigs. Animal 2016; 11:1228-1236. [PMID: 27927261 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731116002561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress response induces physiological, behavioural, immunological and biochemical changes that directly affect health and well-being. Provision of environmental enrichment and herbal compounds may reduce stress in current commercial pig husbandry systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing different environmental enrichment materials (EE) and a herbal compound (HC) on physiological indicators of acute and chronic stress in growing pigs (salivary cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA), hair cortisol and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)). Salivary cortisol and CgA have been reported as biomarkers basically of acute stress, whereas hair cortisol and TNF-α have been more related to chronic stress. For this purpose, eight groups of seven pigs each (14 pigs/treatment, 56 pigs in total) were used: (a) two EE groups, (b) two groups supplemented with HC, (c) two groups provided both with EE and HC and (d) two control groups. Samples of hair, saliva and blood were taken to measure cortisol (in hair and saliva), CgA (in saliva) and TNF-α (in blood) at three different times: before starting the experiment (T0), and after 1 (T1) or 2 months (T2) of providing the materials and herbal compound. No differences were found at T0 in salivary or hair cortisol, CgA or TNF-α, whilst at T2, the control group showed significant increased concentrations of CgA and hair cortisol, when compared with the rest of the treatments (P<0.001). These differences were significant at T1 only for CgA (P<0.001). Furthermore, an overall correlation was reported between hair cortisol and salivary CgA (r=0.48, P<0.001). These results support that providing enrichment material or an herbal compound may reduce stress in growing pigs. Furthermore, the results support that hair cortisol and CgA may be proper non-invasive tools to detect stress, specially associated with factors of chronic exposure.
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Pulina G, Francesconi AHD, Stefanon B, Sevi A, Calamari L, Lacetera N, Dell’Orto V, Pilla F, Ajmone Marsan P, Mele M, Rossi F, Bertoni G, Crovetto GM, Ronchi B. Sustainable ruminant production to help feed the planet. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2016.1260500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pulina
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Stefanon
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Agostino Sevi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell’Ambiente, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigi Calamari
- Istituto di Zootecnica, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Nicola Lacetera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Dell’Orto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilla
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura Ambiente Alimenti, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Paolo Ajmone Marsan
- Istituto di Zootecnica, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Marcello Mele
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Rossi
- Istituto di Scienze degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertoni
- Istituto di Zootecnica, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Ronchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Nannoni E, Sardi L, Vitali M, Trevisi E, Ferrari A, Barone F, Bacci M, Barbieri S, Martelli G. Effects of different enrichment devices on some welfare indicators of post-weaned undocked piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Dettmer AM, Rosenberg KL, Suomi SJ, Meyer JS, Novak MA. Associations between Parity, Hair Hormone Profiles during Pregnancy and Lactation, and Infant Development in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131692. [PMID: 26172048 PMCID: PMC4501543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies examining hormones throughout pregnancy and lactation in women have been limited to single, or a few repeated, short-term measures of endocrine activity. Furthermore, potential differences in chronic hormonal changes across pregnancy/lactation between first-time and experienced mothers are not well understood, especially as they relate to infant development. Hormone concentrations in hair provide long-term assessments of hormone production, and studying these measures in non-human primates allows for repeated sampling under controlled conditions that are difficult to achieve in humans. We studied hormonal profiles in the hair of 26 female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta, n=12 primiparous), to determine the influences of parity on chronic levels of cortisol (hair cortisol concentration, HCC) and progesterone (hair progesterone concentration, HPC) during early- to mid-pregnancy (PREG1), in late pregnancy/early lactation (PREG2/LACT1), and in peak lactation (LACT2). We also assessed infants' neurobehavioral development across the first month of life. After controlling for age and stage of pregnancy at the first hair sampling period, we found that HCCs overall peaked in PREG2/LACT1 (p=0.02), but only in primiparous monkeys (p<0.001). HPCs declined across pregnancy and lactation for all monkeys (p<0.01), and primiparous monkeys had higher HPCs overall than multiparous monkeys (p=0.02). Infants of primiparous mothers had lower sensorimotor reflex scores (p=0.02) and tended to be more irritable (p=0.05) and less consolable (p=0.08) in the first month of life. Moreover, across all subjects, HCCs in PREG2/LACT1 were positively correlated with irritability (r(s)=0.43, p=0.03) and negatively correlated with sensorimotor scores (r(s)=-0.41, p=0.04). Together, the present results indicate that primiparity influences both chronic maternal hormonal profiles and infant development. These effects may, in part, reflect differential reproductive and maternal effort in mothers with varied caretaking experience. In addition, infant exposure to relatively higher levels of maternal cortisol during the late fetal and early postnatal periods is predictive of poorer developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Dettmer
- Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, NIH, Poolesville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kendra L. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Suomi
- Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, NIH, Poolesville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jerrold S. Meyer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Melinda A. Novak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
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