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Feighelstein M, Riccie-Bonot C, Hasan H, Weinberg H, Rettig T, Segal M, Distelfeld T, Shimshoni I, Mills DS, Zamansky A. Automated recognition of emotional states of horses from facial expressions. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302893. [PMID: 39008504 PMCID: PMC11249218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal affective computing is an emerging new field, which has so far mainly focused on pain, while other emotional states remain uncharted territories, especially in horses. This study is the first to develop AI models to automatically recognize horse emotional states from facial expressions using data collected in a controlled experiment. We explore two types of pipelines: a deep learning one which takes as input video footage, and a machine learning one which takes as input EquiFACS annotations. The former outperforms the latter, with 76% accuracy in separating between four emotional states: baseline, positive anticipation, disappointment and frustration. Anticipation and frustration were difficult to separate, with only 61% accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hana Hasan
- Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hallel Weinberg
- Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tidhar Rettig
- Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maya Segal
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tomer Distelfeld
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ilan Shimshoni
- Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Daniel S. Mills
- Department of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Zamansky
- Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Casas-Alvarado A, Martínez-Burnes J, Hernández-Ávalos I, Mora-Medina P, Miranda-Cortés A, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D. Assessment of the nociceptive response to the use of cannabidiol alone and in combination with meloxicam through infrared pupillometry in female dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1380022. [PMID: 39027908 PMCID: PMC11256235 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1380022] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The negative effects of pain are a constant concern in the surgical management of animals, leading to the search for new drugs or more effective analgesic protocols to control this negative emotion. This study aimed to evaluate the nociceptive response of cannabidiol (CBD) alone and in combination with meloxicam using infrared pupillometry in female dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy (OVH) under isoflurane anesthesia. A total of 60 female dogs of different breeds were included. These dogs were randomly assigned to four study groups according to the treatment: Control Group (G0: n = 15) receiving saline solution; group premedicated with meloxicam at a dose of 0.2 mg Kg-1 IV (GMelox: n = 15). Postoperatively this drug was used at 0.1 mg Kg-1 IV every 24 h; the CBD-treated Group (GCBD: n = 15) at a dose of 2 mg Kg-1 orally in the preoperative. Postoperatively was administrated every 12 h; and the Group premedicated with the combination of meloxicam and CBD (GMelox/CBD: n = 15) Meloxicam at a dose of 0.2 mg Kg-1 IV preoperatively, and 0.1 mg Kg-1 IV during the postoperative. CBD at a dose of 2 mg Kg-1 orally in the preoperative, and every 12 h in the postoperative. Treatments were administered for 48 postoperative hours. After OVH, the pupillary neurologic index, pupillary size, minimum diameter (MIN), percentage change, constriction latency (Lat), constriction velocity, and maximum constriction velocity were recorded as pupillometric variables in both eyes during events (E): Baseline (30 min before drug administration), E30 min, E1h, E2h, E3h, E4h, E8h, E12h, E24h, and E48h. The Short-Form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS-SF) was used to assess pain during the same events. Overall, it was observed that the pupillometric variables Size, MIN., and Lat. were significantly higher in G0 compared to the other groups during E30 min, E1h, and E2h (p = 0.03), indicating greater pupil dilation in G0 animals. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed in GCMPS-SF between GMelox, GCBD, and GMelox/CBD during the postoperative period (p > 0.05). In contrast, the scores were statistically different compared to G0 (p = 0.00001), where all animals in this group received rescue analgesia at 2 h post-surgery. According to pupillometry and scores on the GCMPS-SF scale, it was observed that monotherapy with cannabidiol provides a similar analgesic effect to meloxicam alone or in combination with cannabidiol to manage acute pain in dogs. Similarly, these findings suggest that infrared pupillometry could be a tool for recognizing acute pain in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Clinical Pharmacology and Veterinary Anesthesia, Biological Sciences Department, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Agatha Miranda-Cortés
- Clinical Pharmacology and Veterinary Anesthesia, Biological Sciences Department, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology of Pain, Behavior and Assessment of Welfare in Domestic Animals, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology of Pain, Behavior and Assessment of Welfare in Domestic Animals, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
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Martins IRR, de Melo Medeiros M, Vasconcelos LHC, Silva MDCC, Queiroga FR, Cavalcante-Silva LHA, da Costa Nunes IK, Lima LM, da Silva PM, Silva BAD. New phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors present airways relaxant activity in a guinea pig acute asthma model. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4419-4434. [PMID: 38108836 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and hyper responsiveness of airways. We aimed to assess the relaxant potential of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors N-sulfonilhidrazonic derivatives on non-asthmatic and asthmatic guinea pig trachea. Firstly, guinea pigs were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin, and then morphological, and contractile changes were evaluated resulting from asthma, followed by evaluation of relaxant effect of derivatives on guinea pig trachea and the cAMP levels measurement by ELISA. It has been evidenced hypertrophy of airway smooth muscle, inflammatory infiltrate, and vascular abnormalities. Moreover, only sensitized tracheal rings were responsive to OVA. Contractile response to histamine, but not to carbachol, was greater in sensitized animals, however the relaxant response to aminophylline and isoprenaline were the same in non-asthmatics and asthmatics. N-sulfonilhidrazonic derivatives presented equipotent relaxant action independent of epithelium, with exception of LASSBio-1850 that presented a low efficacy (< 50%) and LASSBio-1847 with a 4-fold higher potency on asthmatics. LASSBio-1847 relaxant curve was impaired in the presence of propranolol and potentiated by isoprenaline in both groups. Furthermore, relaxation was potentiated 54- and 4-fold by forskolin in non-asthmatics and asthmatics, respectively. Likewise, LASSBio-1847 potentiated relaxant curve of aminophylline 147- and 4-fold in both groups. The PKA inhibitor H-89 impaired the relaxant potency of the derivative. Finally, LASSBio-1847 increased tracheal intracellular cAMP levels similarly to rolipram, selective PDE4 inhibitor, in both animals. LASSBio-1847 showed to be promising to relax guinea pig trachea from non-sensitized and sensitized guinea pigs by activation of β2-adrenergic receptors/AC/cAMP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Italo Rossi Roseno Martins
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Funcional Professor George Thomas, Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
- Departamento de Medicina, Campus Senador Helvídio Nunes de Barros, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Picos, PI, 64607-670, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Millena de Melo Medeiros
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Funcional Professor George Thomas, Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique César Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Funcional Professor George Thomas, Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Maria da Conceição Correia Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Funcional Professor George Thomas, Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- PostDoc Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/Fundação de Amparo a Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ramos Queiroga
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Patologia de Invertebrados, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Isabelle Karine da Costa Nunes
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio ®), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lidia Moreira Lima
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio ®), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Mirella da Silva
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Patologia de Invertebrados, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Bagnólia Araújo da Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Funcional Professor George Thomas, Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
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Araujo L, Dias C, Sucupira F, Ramalho L, Camporez J. A short-term rodent model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a high-fat diet and carbon tetrachloride. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231532. [PMID: 38660995 PMCID: PMC11081943 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Several models of mice-fed high-fat diets have been used to trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and some chemical substances, such as carbon tetrachloride. The present study aimed to evaluate the joint action of a high-fat diet and CCl4 in developing a short-term non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model. C57BL6/J mice were divided into two groups: standard diet-fed (SD), the high-fat diet-fed (HFD) and HFD + fructose-fed and carbon tetrachloride (HFD+CCl4). The animals fed with HFD+CCl4 presented increased lipid deposition compared with both SD and HFD mice. Plasma cholesterol was increased in animals from the HFD+CCl4 group compared with the SD and HFD groups, without significant differences between the SD and HFD groups. Plasma triglycerides showed no significant difference between the groups. The HFD+CCl4 animals had increased collagen deposition in the liver compared with both SD and HFD groups. Hydroxyproline was also increased in the HFD+CCl4 group. Liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, were increased in the HFD+CCl4 group, compared with SD and HFD groups. Also, CCl4 was able to trigger an inflammatory process in the liver of HFD-fed animals by promoting an increase of ∼2 times in macrophage activity, ∼6 times in F4/80 gene expression, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b and TNFa), in addition to an increase in inflammatory pathway protein phosphorylation (IKKbp). HFD e HFD+CCl4 animals increased glucose intolerance compared with SD mice, associated with reduced insulin-stimulated AKT activity in the liver. Therefore, our study has shown that short-term HFD feeding associated with fructose and CCl4 can trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cause damage to glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layanne C.C. Araujo
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina C.B. Dias
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe G. Sucupira
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandra N.Z. Ramalho
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Camporez
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Lezama-García K, Martínez-Burnes J, Baqueiro-Espinosa U, Villanueva-García D, Olmos-Hernández A, Hernández-Ávalos I, Mora-Medina P, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D. Uterine dynamics, blood profiles, and electronic fetal monitoring of primiparous and multiparous bitches classified according to their weight. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1282389. [PMID: 38033635 PMCID: PMC10687277 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1282389] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal mortality occurs in all species. In dogs, mortality rates have been reported to range from 5 to 35%. Electronic fetal and uterine monitoring has recently been used in domestic animals to monitor the mother and newborn before and during parturition. In this way, the fetal heart rate and uterine dynamics can be monitored. This study evaluated the uterine dynamics of bitches with different weights and parity. Ninety-six bitches and their 476 puppies were divided into four experimental groups containing 24 individuals each (12 primiparous bitches and 12 multiparous bitches), according to body weight: G1 (4-8 kg), G2 (8.1-16 kg), G3 (16.1 to 32 kg), and G4 (32.1 to 39.6 kg). The fetal heart rate decelerations (dip 2 patterns), uterine dynamics, and bitches' blood profiles were evaluated, including levels of glucose, lactate, pCO2, pO2, pH, HCO3-, and Ca++. The dam weight can affect the vitality of newborns and the uterine dynamics, with differences in the frequency, intensity, and duration of myometrial contractions. The expulsion interval between puppies was longest in primiparous bitches with low weight and shortest in multiparous bitches with high weight. The expulsion interval and the number of stillborn females were higher in primiparous bitches with high weight. Newborn male puppies were significantly heavier than newborn females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lezama-García
- PhD Program in Biological and Health Sciences, Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | | | - Dina Villanueva-García
- Division of Neonatology, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
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Villanueva-García D, Ghezzi M, Mora-Medina P, Hernández-Ávalos I, Olmos-Hernández A, Casas-Alvarado A, Lezama-García K, Domínguez-Oliva A, Rodríguez-González D, Marcet-Rius M. Caffeine Administration in Piglets with Low Birthweight and Low Vitality Scores, and Its Effect on Physiological Blood Profile, Acid-Base Balance, Gas Exchange, and Infrared Thermal Response. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3491. [PMID: 38003109 PMCID: PMC10668766 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrapartum asphyxia, fetal hypoxia, and their consequences (e.g., acidosis, hypercapnia, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia) are the main factors related to physio-metabolic imbalances that increase neonatal mortality in piglets, particularly in piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different doses of caffeine (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) administered orally to 480 newborn piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. Blood gas parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2, and HCO3-), physio-metabolic profile (Ca++, glucose, and lactate), and the thermal response assessed through infrared thermography in four thermal windows (ocular, auricular, snout, and hindlimb) and rectal temperature were evaluated during the first 24 h of life. Doses of 30 mg/kg resulted in significant differences at 24 h for all evaluated parameters, suggesting that caffeine administration improved the cardiorespiratory function and metabolic activity of piglets by reducing acidosis, restoring glycemia, and increasing surface and rectal temperature. In conclusion, caffeine at 30 mg/kg could be suggested as an appropriate dose to use in piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. Future research might need to study the presentation of adverse effects due to higher caffeine concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Villanueva-García
- Division of Neonatology, National Institute of Health, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Marcelo Ghezzi
- Animal Welfare Area, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Karina Lezama-García
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Daniela Rodríguez-González
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Miriam Marcet-Rius
- Department of Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
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Licata F, Eusebio Bergò P, Edmonds D, Andreone F, Rosa GM. Spatial Ecology of an Arboreal Iguana ( Oplurus cyclurus) in a Treeless Landscape. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3198. [PMID: 37893922 PMCID: PMC10603757 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the spatial ecology of species has important implications for conservation, as it helps identify suitable habitats and minimum requirements for biodiversity monitoring and management. The spiny-tailed lizard Oplurus cyclurus is a widespread endemic iguanid occurring in dry areas of southern and western Madagascar. While the species is known to be mostly arboreal, populations of the Isalo sandstone massif suggest local adaptation to a less forested savannah and a more exposed habitat. We radio-tracked 19 spiny-tailed lizards to investigate the species' rock-dwelling behaviour and spatial ecology at Isalo National Park. Tracked individuals showed high site and burrow fidelity, and a basking behaviour mostly tied to the accessibility of their burrow, the time of day, and their life stage. Activity peaked during the sunniest hours, while juveniles were more active than adults with unfavourable weather conditions. Despite high burrow fidelity, lizards used shelters non-exclusively, regularly changing (approx. once a week) with neighbouring burrows (average distance between burrows = 13.6 m). However, there was no obvious relation between lizards' body and/or tail size and the width and depth of selected burrows. Dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models estimated frequented areas over 247.8 m2 (95% isopleth), where territorial overlap is common. Our results challenge the notion that burrow-site fidelity is the sole driving factor behind space utilization in the studied population. We argue that the apparently unusual saxicolous habits imposed by habitat features (the absence of trees) may lead to local behavioural adjustments influencing antipredatory and foraging strategies, as well as intraspecific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Licata
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Biopolis Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Devin Edmonds
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, 10123 Torino, Italy (F.A.)
| | - Gonçalo M. Rosa
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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8
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Lezama-García K, Martínez-Burnes J, Baqueiro-Espinosa U, Olmos-Hernández A, Hernández-Ávalos I, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D. Assessment of Vitality, Blood Profile, and Degree of Meconium Staining on the Skin in Newborn Dogs According to Its Birth Weight. Vet Sci 2023; 10:453. [PMID: 37505858 PMCID: PMC10386731 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070453] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal mortality in dogs reaches up to 40%. Due to the high rates, promptly detecting the causes and preventing newborns from dying are extremely important. Vitality evaluation, blood parameters, and the degree of meconium staining on the skin are valuable resources in canine perinatology. In this study, 435 puppies from 85 bitches close to parturition were recruited and divided into four quartiles according to the puppy's birth weight: Q1 (127-200 g) n = 110 puppies, Q2 (201-269 g) n = 108 puppies, Q3 (270-388 g) n = 108 puppies, and Q4 (389-464 g) n = 109 puppies. This experimental article aimed to report the effect of birth weight on the blood profile variables, the vitality of newborn puppies, and the meconium staining degree, integrating these three aspects. It was concluded that the weight of newborns was correlated with the degree of meconium staining, presenting more cases of severe meconium staining in the puppies of the highest birth weight group. The weight of the newborns was correlated with a higher number of stillbirths and alterations in the blood variables, showing the most severe cases of metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia in the puppies of the Q4 quartile. On the contrary, no statistically significant correlations were found between the weight of newborns and vitality. Nevertheless, the analysis of the results showed that the most vigorous puppies were found at Q1; however, at minute 60 after birth (AB), all the puppies in the four quartiles standardized their vitality scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lezama-García
- PhD Program in Biological and Health Sciences, Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Mexico
| | | | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Tlalpan, Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Clinical Pharmacology and Veterinary Anesthesia, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
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9
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Woudstra S, Wente N, Zhang Y, Leimbach S, Gussmann MK, Kirkeby C, Krömker V. Strain diversity and infection durations of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. causing intramammary infections in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4214-4231. [PMID: 37080785 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
To effectively prevent and control bovine mastitis, farmers and their advisors need to take infection pathways and durations into account. Still, studies exploring both aspects through molecular epidemiology with sampling of entire dairy cow herds over longer periods are scarce. Therefore, quarter foremilk samples were collected at 14-d intervals from all lactating dairy cows (n = 263) over 18 wk in one commercial dairy herd. Quarters were considered infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, or Streptococcus dysgalactiae when ≥100 cfu/mL of the respective pathogen was detected, or with Staphylococcus epidermidis or Staphylococcus haemolyticus when ≥500 cfu/mL of the respective pathogen was detected. All isolates of the mentioned species underwent randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR to explore strain diversity and to distinguish ongoing from new infections. Survival analysis was used to estimate infection durations. Five different strains of Staph. aureus were isolated, and the most prevalent strain caused more than 80% of all Staph. aureus infections (n = 46). In contrast, 46 Staph. epidermidis and 69 Staph. haemolyticus strains were isolated, and none of these caused infections in more than 2 different quarters. The 3 most dominant strains of Strep. dysgalactiae (7 strains) and Strep. uberis (18 strains) caused 81% of 33 and 49% of 37 infections in total, respectively. The estimated median infection duration for Staph. aureus was 80 d, and that for Staph. epidermidis and Staph. haemolyticus was 28 and 22 d, respectively. The probability of remaining infected with Strep. dysgalactiae or Strep. uberis for more than 84 and 70 d was 58.7 and 53.5%, respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staph. haemolyticus were not transmitted contagiously and the average infection durations were short, which brings into question whether antimicrobial treatment of intramammary infections with these organisms is justified. In contrast, infections with the other 3 pathogens lasted longer and largely originated from contagious transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Woudstra
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Production, Nutrition and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - N Wente
- Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Faculty II, Department Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Heisterbergallee 10a, 30453, Hannover, Germany
| | - Y Zhang
- Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Faculty II, Department Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Heisterbergallee 10a, 30453, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Leimbach
- Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Faculty II, Department Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Heisterbergallee 10a, 30453, Hannover, Germany
| | - M K Gussmann
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 8, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - C Kirkeby
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 8, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - V Krömker
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Production, Nutrition and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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10
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Viksten SM, Hartmann E, Schneller K, Steen M. Welfare of extensively managed Swedish Gotland ponies. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e21. [PMID: 38487419 PMCID: PMC10936338 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that grazing horses could be used as a credible tool for landscape conservation which would, at the same time, improve horse welfare as opposed to conventional housing. A study was conducted between May 2014 and April 2015 on 12 one year old Gotland ponies managed extensively without supplementary feed. Monthly animal welfare assessments (n = 13) revealed welfare issues in most of the horses, i.e. low body condition score (BCS < 3/5), recurring poor skin condition in 11/12 horses and ocular discharge in 7/12 horses. At the end of the study, compared to the beginning, chafing and poor skin condition increased while coat condition improved. A correlation was found between a negative reaction (score > 0) in the human approach test and BCS < 3 and ocular discharge. Avoidance Distance test values were correlated with faecal parasite counts (> 350 eggs per gram [EPG]). These results indicate that the horses had acceptable welfare during late spring/summer (May-September) and that some horses required additional feed during winter. The animal welfare protocol proved to be an efficient tool for monitoring welfare. The results showed that factors important for extensive management are: daily monitoring; enclosures that provide sufficient feed; access to recovery enclosure; and habituation of horses to human approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elke Hartmann
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Box 7068, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Margareta Steen
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Swedish Centre for Animal Welfare, Box 7053, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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11
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Bassil K, Horstkötter D. Ethical Implications in Making Use of Human Cerebral Organoids for Investigating Stress-Related Mechanisms and Disorders. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2023; 32:1-13. [PMID: 36799029 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180123000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The generation of three-dimensional cerebral organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) has facilitated the investigation of mechanisms underlying several neuropsychiatric disorders, including stress-related disorders, namely major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Generating hPSC-derived neurons, cerebral organoids, and even assembloids (or multi-organoid complexes) can facilitate research into biomarkers for stress susceptibility or resilience and may even bring about advances in personalized medicine and biomarker research for stress-related psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, cerebral organoid research does not come without its own set of ethical considerations. With increased complexity and resemblance to in vivo conditions, discussions of increased moral status for these models are ongoing, including questions about sentience, consciousness, moral status, donor protection, and chimeras. There are, however, unique ethical considerations that arise and are worth looking into in the context of research into stress and stress-related disorders using cerebral organoids. This paper provides stress research-specific ethical considerations in the context of cerebral organoid generation and use for research purposes. The use of stress research as a case study here can help inform other practices of in vitro studies using brain models with high ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorothee Horstkötter
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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12
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Lezama-García K, Martínez-Burnes J, Marcet-Rius M, Gazzano A, Olmos-Hernández A, Mora-Medina P, Domínguez-Oliva A, Pereira AMF, Hernández-Ávalos I, Baqueiro-Espinosa U, Geraldo ADM, Casas-Alvarado A, Mota-Rojas D. Is the Weight of the Newborn Puppy Related to Its Thermal Balance? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:3536. [PMID: 36552457 PMCID: PMC9774692 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothermia, a factor associated with neonatal mortality, can occur immediately after birth as a protective mechanism to prevent hypoxic damage in neonates, or to reduce the metabolic rate to improve the chances of survival in the first hours of life. The heat interchange through the superficial temperature of animals can be evaluated with infrared thermography (IRT). However, to date, there is no information on thermal windows in puppies. This study aimed to evaluate, with the use of IRT, the microcirculatory alterations in 8 different thermal windows identified at 7 different times in 289 newborn puppies assigned to different groups. Three thermograms were taken from four zones of each puppy: the facial, frontal, right lateral, and left lateral regions. Newborn puppies were grouped in 4 quartiles according to their weight: Q1 (126−226 g) n = 73, Q2 (227−330 g) n = 72, Q3 (331−387 g) n = 74, and Q4 (388−452 g) n = 70. A total of 8 thermal windows were considered at 7 evaluation times from Wet at birth until 24 h after birth (AB). Two-way mixed ANOVA within and between subjects’ design for each thermal window (eight models) was performed. Results revealed a positive correlation between the puppy’s weight and its ability to achieve thermostability in all the evaluated thermal windows. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) between the 4 quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) were found. The lowest temperatures were recorded when the pups were still wet and the highest at 24 h AB. Thermal windows with the highest temperatures were abdominal (34.234 ± 0.056 °C), thoracic (33.705 ± 0.049 °C), nasal (30.671 ± 0.110 °C), and upper left palpebral (34.066 ± 0.052 °C), while the lowest were thoracic limb brachial biceps (27.534 ± 0.051 °C), thoracic limb elbow (27.141 ± 0.049 °C), thoracic limb metacarpal (27.024 ± 0.062 °C), and femoral pelvic limb (27.654 ± 0.055 °C). Assessing the thermal response in newborn puppies can help identify drastic temperature reductions or deficient thermoregulatory compensation during the first hours of life, preventing the consequences of hypothermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lezama-García
- PhD Program in Biological and Health Sciences, [Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud], Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Animal Health Group, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Mexico
| | - Míriam Marcet-Rius
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Department, IRSEA (Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
| | - Angelo Gazzano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Coapa, Col Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Alfredo M. F. Pereira
- Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | | | - Ana de Mira Geraldo
- Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Coapa, Col Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Coapa, Col Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
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13
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Lezama-García K, Martínez-Burnes J, Pérez-Jiménez JC, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mora-Medina P, Olmos-Hernández A, Hernández-Ávalos I, Mota-Rojas D. Relation between the Dam's Weight on Superficial Temperature of Her Puppies at Different Stages of the Post-Partum. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120673. [PMID: 36548834 PMCID: PMC9781765 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The thermal stability of newborns is an essential parameter that can be recorded to evaluate neonatal care. Knowing the thermal windows to evaluate and maintain a constant temperature helps significantly reduce neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess the superficial temperature alterations in the distinct thermal windows of puppies with mothers of diverse weights and their repercussions. We evaluated the superficial temperature using infrared thermography at eight thermal windows and seven different times: when wet due to the fetal fluid immediately after birth until 24 h of life in newborn puppies from bitches divided into four bodyweight groups. The results revealed a positive correlation between the dam's weight and the ability to achieve thermostability in the newborn puppies in all the evaluated thermal windows. The time effect showed the lowest temperatures when the puppies were still wet, a gradual increase, and the highest temperature at 24 h after birth. The thermal windows with the highest temperatures were abdominal, thoracic, nasal, and upper left palpebral, and those with the lowest were the thoracic limb brachial biceps, thoracic limb elbow, metacarpal, and femoral pelvic limb. A significant increase in the temperatures in the thermal windows of the abdominal, thoracic, and upper left palpebral immediately after ingesting colostrum was observed. The weight of the dams is an important factor that positively intervenes in the thermoregulatory capacity of the puppies, especially when newborns are dry and have been passed 24 h after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lezama-García
- PhD Program in Biological and Health Sciences (Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud), Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Animal Health Group, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Av. Rancho Polígono 2-A, Ciudad Industrial, Lerma, Campeche 24500, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 54714, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Tlalpan, Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 54714, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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14
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Urrutia A, Bánszegi O, Szenczi P, Hudson R. Scaredy-cat: Assessment of individual differences in response to an acute everyday stressor across development in the domestic cat. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Video Validation of Tri-Axial Accelerometer for Monitoring Zoo-Housed Tamandua tetradactyla Activity Patterns in Response to Changes in Husbandry Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192516. [PMID: 36230257 PMCID: PMC9559380 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accelerometers are a technology that is increasingly used in the evaluation of animal behaviour. A tri-axial accelerometer attached to a vest was used on Tamandua tetradactyla individuals (n = 10) at Biodiversity Park. First, the influence of using a vest on the animals’ behaviour was evaluated (ABA-type: A1 and A2, without a vest; B, with a vest; each stage lasted 24 h), and no changes were detected. Second, their behaviour was monitored using videos and the accelerometer simultaneously (experimental room, 20 min). The observed behaviours were correlated with the accelerometer data, and summary measures (X, Y and Z axes) were obtained. Additionally, the overall dynamic body acceleration was calculated, determining a threshold to discriminate activity/inactivity events (variance = 0.0055). Then, based on a 24 h complementary test (video sampling every 5 min), the sensitivity (85.91%) and precision (100%) of the accelerometer were assessed. Animals were exposed to an ABA-type experimental design: A1 and A2: complex enclosure; B: decreased complexity (each stage lasted 24 h). An increase in total activity (%) was revealed using the accelerometer (26.15 ± 1.50, 29.29 ± 2.25, and 35.36 ± 3.15, respectively). Similar activity levels were detected using video analysis. The results demonstrate that the use of the accelerometer is reliable to determine the activity. Considering that the zoo-housed lesser anteaters exhibit a cathemeral activity pattern, this study contributes to easily monitoring their activities and responses to different management procedures supporting welfare programs, as well as ex situ conservation.
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16
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Stenfelt J, Yngvesson J, Blokhuis HJ, Rørvang MV. Dairy cows did not rely on social learning mechanisms when solving a spatial detour task. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:956559. [PMID: 36157180 PMCID: PMC9490023 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.956559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As herd-living animals, cattle have opportunities to observe and learn from others. While there is evidence of simpler processes of information transfer in cattle (social facilitation and stimulus enhancement), true social learning mechanisms in cattle remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate if dairy cows possess cognitive abilities to acquire new behavior through social learning in a spatial detour task. Thirty-two dairy cows (ages 2–9 years) participated in the study. A food reward was placed behind a U-shaped formation (4 x 2 m), allowing the cows to see but not reach the reward without first detouring around the obstacle. The U-shape provided two routes (~18 m walking distance) to the reward, of which one was used for demonstration. Two cows were demonstrators and 30 cows were divided into two groups, assigned as either observers of demonstration (n = 15) or controls not observing demonstration (n = 15). Cows had three attempts (trials) to solve the task. Response variables were: success, latency to reach the reward, concordance in choice of route to detour, and time spent facing the test arena before each trial started. The study found no significant differences in success or latency between observers and controls, although observers spent a greater proportion of the time before trials facing the test arena. However, successful observers tended to be faster than successful controls. Individual cows were generally consistent in their choice of route, and cows choosing the demonstrated route were significantly faster than cows that did not. Success in solving the task decreased over trials, likely due to decreasing food motivation. Age had a significant effect on success in 2nd and 3rd trial, with younger cows being more successful. The lacking effect of treatment on success suggests that the age effect may be explained by a higher motivation, rather than social learning. Adding to the sparse knowledge of social learning in farm animals, these results indicate that cows did not utilize social learning mechanisms when solving the detour task. Future research should focus on clarifying whether cattle possess cognitive abilities necessary for social learning, as well as if /when social learning is a primary strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Stenfelt
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Jenny Yngvesson
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Harry J. Blokhuis
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Maria Vilain Rørvang
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Maria Vilain Rørvang
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17
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Milking temperament of Anatolian buffaloes during early lactation. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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18
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de Souza ILL, Barros BC, Ferreira EDS, Queiroga FR, Vasconcelos LHC, Toscano LDLT, Silva AS, da Silva PM, Cavalcante FDA, da Silva BA. Supplementation with Spirulina platensis Prevents Damage to Rat Erections in a Model of Erectile Dysfunction Promoted by Hypercaloric Diet-Induced Obesity. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20080467. [PMID: 35892935 PMCID: PMC9332348 DOI: 10.3390/md20080467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual satisfaction. Currently, many patients do not respond to the pharmacotherapy. The effects of a supplementation with Spirulina platensis, were evaluated in a model of ED induced by hypercaloric diet consumption. Wistar rats were divided into groups fed with standard diet (SD) or hypercaloric diet (HD) and supplemented with this alga at doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg. Experimental adiposity parameters and erectile function were analyzed. In SD groups, Spirulina platensis reduced food intake, final body mass and adiposity index, and increased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of adipose tissue. However, no change was observed in erectile function. In the HD group, without Spirulina supplementation, a decrease in food intake was observed, in addition to an increase of final body mass, weight gain, adipose reserves, and adiposity index. Additionally, reduction in the number and increase in the latency of penile erection and adipose malondialdehyde levels, as well as a reduction in TCA was noted. Furthermore, cavernous contractility was increased, and the relaxing response was decreased. Interestingly, these deleterious effects were prevented by the algae at doses of 25, 50 and/or 100 mg/kg. Therefore, the supplementation with S. platensis prevents damages associated to a hypercaloric diet consumption and emerges as an adjuvant the prevention of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iara Leão Luna de Souza
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Roraima, Boa Vista 69306-530, RR, Brazil
- Curso de Farmácia, Centro Universitário Estácio da Amazônia, Boa Vista 69306-530, RR, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-83-98741-9057
| | - Bárbara Cavalcanti Barros
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
| | - Elba dos Santos Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
| | - Fernando Ramos Queiroga
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
| | - Luiz Henrique César Vasconcelos
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Lydiane de Lima Tavares Toscano
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (L.d.L.T.T.); (A.S.S.)
| | - Alexandre Sérgio Silva
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (L.d.L.T.T.); (A.S.S.)
| | - Patrícia Mirella da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil;
| | - Fabiana de Andrade Cavalcante
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Bagnólia Araújo da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (B.C.B.); (E.d.S.F.); (F.R.Q.); (L.H.C.V.); (F.d.A.C.); (B.A.d.S.)
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
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Ferreira SRD, Pessoa RF, Figueiredo IAD, Lima JPM, de Moura TMCF, Bezerra CO, de Oliveira Martins AM, de Carvalho LM, Madruga MS, Cavalcante HC, de Souza Aquino J, de Brito Alves JL, Alves AF, Vasconcelos LHC, de Andrade Cavalcante F. Functional and morphologic dysfunctions in the airways of rats submitted to an experimental model of obesity-exacerbated asthma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9540. [PMID: 35681069 PMCID: PMC9184493 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13551-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The obesity-exacerbated asthma phenotype is characterized by more severe asthma symptoms and glucocorticoid resistance. The aim of this study was to standardize an obesity-exacerbated asthma model by a high glycemic level index (HGLI) diet and ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenges in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into groups: control (Ctrl), obese (Ob), asthmatic (Asth), obese asthmatic (Ob + Asth) and obese asthmatic treated with dexamethasone (Ob + Asth + Dexa), and in vivo and in vitro functional and morphological parameters were measured. After HGLI consumption, there was an increase in body weight, fasting blood glucose, abdominal circumferences, body mass index and adiposity index. Respiratory function showed a reduction in pulmonary tidal volume and ventilation. In isolated tracheas, carbachol showed an increase in contractile efficacy in the Ob, Ob + Asth and Ob + Asth + Dexa, but mostly on Ob + Asth. Histological analysis of lungs showed peribronchovascular inflammation and smooth muscle hypertrophy and extracellular remodeling on Ob + Asth and Ob + Asth + Dexa. An obesity-exacerbated asthma model was successfully established. Therefore, this model allows further molecular investigations and the search for new therapies for the treatment and relief of symptoms of patients with obesity-induced resistant asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rebeca Dantas Ferreira
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Rayane Fernandes Pessoa
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Indyra Alencar Duarte Figueiredo
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Moura Lima
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Cleyton Oliveira Bezerra
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Leila Moreira de Carvalho
- Departamento de Engenharia de Alimentos, Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Marta Suely Madruga
- Departamento de Engenharia de Alimentos, Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Jailane de Souza Aquino
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Departamento de Nutrição, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - José Luiz de Brito Alves
- Departamento de Nutrição, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Adriano Francisco Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique César Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. .,Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Fabiana de Andrade Cavalcante
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.,Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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Early Blood Analysis and Gas Exchange Monitoring in the Canine Neonate: Effect of Dam’s Size and Birth Order. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121508. [PMID: 35739844 PMCID: PMC9219424 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The complications that are observed during parturition are events that affect the vitality of the newborn and can also compromise their health by predisposing them to fetal hypoxia, increasing newborn mortality. Blood gas analysis to measure the main biomarkers associated with hypoxia evaluates the physiological and metabolic alterations derived from this state, and these could help identify if said markers respond to maternal or neonatal causes. This study aimed to assess the effect of the dam’s size, the birth order, and the presentation of blood gas alterations. Recognizing if these elements are intertwined may enhance newborns’ life expectancy by enabling the planning of a perinatal protocol to avoid serious metabolic consequences that are derived from prolonged hypoxia. Abstract In canines, size at birth is determined by the dam’s weight, which would probably affect the newborn’s viability due to litter size and birth order. Fetal hypoxia causes distress and acidemia. Identifying physiological blood alterations in the puppy during the first minute of life through the blood gas exchange of the umbilical cord could determine the puppy’s risk of suffering asphyxiation during labor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the birth order and dam’s size during spontaneous labor and the alterations during the first minute of life. The results indicate that the dam’s size and the birth order have considerable physiological and metabolic effects in the puppies, mainly in birth order 1 (BO1) in small-size dogs, while in the medium size, the last puppy presented more alterations, probably because of a prolonged whelping which could have fostered hypoxic processes and death. Likewise, with large-size dogs, intrapartum asphyxiation processes were registered during the first minute of life in any birth order.
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Mens AJ, de Jong IC, van Riel JW, Gunnink H, van Hattum T, van Emous RA. Diet dilution and feeding frequency have only minor effects on the behaviour of broiler breeder pullets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Ortíz-Domínguez GA, Marin-Tun CG, Torres-Fajardo RA, González-Pech PG, Capetillo-Leal CM, Torres-Acosta JFDJ, Ventura-Cordero J, Sandoval-Castro CA. Selection of Forage Resources by Juvenile Goats in a Cafeteria Trial: Effect of Browsing Experience, Nutrient and Secondary Compound Content. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101317. [PMID: 35625163 PMCID: PMC9137546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grazing/browsing goats ingest a diverse diet selected from the forage resources available in the range/paddock intending to meet their nutritional requirements. Intake and selection of any given forage can be modified by several factors, such as its nutrient content, including secondary compounds, as well as its biomass availability in the environment. The animal’s previous browsing experience can also be an important factor driving intake and selection. Therefore, the present study evaluated all these factors as well as their interaction. The results showed that the goats’ browsing experience guided the selection and intake towards those forage resources of better nutritional quality when there was no restriction in forage supply, as is the case for cafeteria trials. Goats with browsing experience showed their ability to limit secondary compounds and optimize their selection and intake for plants with better digestibility. This cafeteria protocol made it possible to identify the selection and consumption pattern of plant species with limited availability in the natural vegetation. This methodology could help identifying the forage resources that may be useful for small ruminant feeding, versus those resources that are not consumed by goats despite having a suitable chemical composition and in vitro digestibility or a high abundance. Abstract We evaluated the effect of browsing experience, nutritional quality and secondary compounds of forage resources, and the interaction between these factors on the selection and intake of goats in a cafeteria trial. Twelve juvenile Criollo goats from 7 to 9 months of age, weighing 22 ± 3 kg, were divided into two groups: (a) browser goats group (n = 6, BG), and (b) naïve goats group (n = 6, NG), formed according to their previous browsing experience (with and without, respectively). Animals were housed in individual pens. The cafeteria experiment lasted 21 days considering pen adaptation, foliage adaptation, and measurements, which included the selection index (SI) of experimental forage resources (Chesson’s alpha) and their dry matter intake (DMI/Kg0.75), using a multiple Latin square design. Furthermore, correlation and regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between the aforementioned factors. The NG did not show any selection pattern, while the BG selected Piscidia piscipula and Senegalia gaumeri (p = 0.0002). The BG consumed smaller amounts of secondary compounds compared to NG (p = 0.0001). In the BG, the flavonoids affected negatively their selection (R2 = 97.51, p = 0.0001), while the DMI was affected by in vitro DM digestibility and flavonoids (R2 = 99.85; p = 0.0001). For the NG, the crude protein and organic matter contents were associated with DMI, but none had a significant relationship with SI. The BG selected and consumed forages with suitable nutritional quality avoiding those with high content of secondary compounds such as flavonoids. Conversely, NG did not show a clear pattern for their selection or intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Andrés Ortíz-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Cindy Goretti Marin-Tun
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Rafael Arturo Torres-Fajardo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Pedro Geraldo González-Pech
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Concepción Manuela Capetillo-Leal
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Juan Felipe de Jesús Torres-Acosta
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Javier Ventura-Cordero
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5BL, UK;
| | - Carlos Alfredo Sandoval-Castro
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Merida-Xmatkuil km 15.5, Merida 97315, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (C.G.M.-T.); (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (C.M.C.-L.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-999-942-3200
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Olsson IAS, Nielsen BL, Camerlink I, Pongrácz P, Golledge HD, Chou JY, Ceballos MC, Whittaker AL. An international perspective on ethics approval in animal behaviour and welfare research. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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25
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Lanci A, Benedetti B, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, van Loon JPAM, Padalino B. Development of a Composite Pain Scale in Foals: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040439. [PMID: 35203146 PMCID: PMC8868425 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prompt pain management is crucial in horses; however, tools to assess pain are limited. This study aimed to develop and pilot a composite scale for pain estimation in foals. The “Foal Composite Pain Scale” (FCPS) was developed based on literature and authors’ expertise. The FCPS consisted of 11 facial expressions, 4 behavioural items, and 5 physical items. Thirty-five pain-free foals (Control Group) and 15 foals experiencing pain (Pain Group) were used. Foals were video-recorded at different time points: the Control Group only at inclusion (C), while the Pain Group at inclusion (T1), after an analgesic treatment (T2), and at recovery (T3). Physical items were also recorded at the same time points. Videos were scored twice by five trained observers, blinded to group and time points, to calculate inter- and intra-observer reliability of each scale item. Fleiss’ kappa values ranged from moderate to almost perfect for the majority of the items, while the intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent (ICC = 0.923). The consistency of FCPS was also excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.842). A cut-off ≥ 7 indicated the presence of pain. The Pain Group scores were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the Control Group and decreased over time (T1, T2 > T3; p = 0.001). Overall, FCPS seems clinically applicable to quantify pain and improve the judgment of the quality of life in foals, but it needs modifications based on these preliminary findings. Consequently, further studies on a larger sample size are needed to test the feasibility and validity of the refined FCPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliai Lanci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (A.L.); (B.B.); (C.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Beatrice Benedetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (A.L.); (B.B.); (C.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Francesca Freccero
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (A.L.); (B.B.); (C.C.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carolina Castagnetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (A.L.); (B.B.); (C.C.); (J.M.)
- Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jole Mariella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (A.L.); (B.B.); (C.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Johannes P. A. M. van Loon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112–114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; or
- Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre (SMDC), Hooge Wijststraat 7, 5384 RC Heesch, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Padalino
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
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Garcia-Pelegrin E, Clark F, Miller R. Increasing animal cognition research in zoos. Zoo Biol 2022; 41:281-291. [PMID: 35037289 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Animal cognition covers various mental processes including perception, learning, decision-making and memory, and animal behavior is often used as a proxy for measuring cognition. Animal cognition/behavior research has multiple benefits; it provides fundamental knowledge of animal biology and evolution but can also have applied conservation and welfare applications. Zoos provide an excellent yet relatively untapped resource for animal cognition research, because they house a wide variety of species-many of which are under threat-and allow close observation and relatively high experimental control compared to the wild. Multi-zoo collaboration leads to increased sample size and species representation, which in turn leads to more robust science. However, there are salient challenges associated with zoo-based cognitive research, which are animal-based (e.g., small sample sizes at single zoos, untrained/unhabituated subjects, side effects) and human-based (e.g., time restrictions, safety concerns, and perceptions of animals interacting with unnatural technology or apparatus). We aim to increase the understanding and subsequent uptake of animal cognition research in zoos, by transparently outlining the main benefits and challenges. Importantly, we use our own research (1) a study on novelty responses in hornbills, and (2) a multi-site collaboration called the "ManyBirds" Project to demonstrate how challenges may be overcome. These potential options include using "drop and go" apparatuses that require no training, close human contact or animal separation. This study is aimed at zoo animal care and research staff, as well as external researchers interested in zoo-based studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fay Clark
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rachael Miller
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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Non-Invasive Assessment of the Seasonal Stress Response to Veterinary Procedures and Transportation of Zoo-Housed Lesser Anteater ( Tamandua tetradactyla). Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010075. [PMID: 35011182 PMCID: PMC8744720 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010075] [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: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Management procedures affect behavioural and physiological stress responses of wild mammals under human care. According to the Reactive Scope Model, normal values are presumed to exist within predictive and reactive ranges. First, stress parameters of zoo-housed adult Tamandua tetradactyla were evaluated in winter and summer (29 days each), determining the level of behaviour and/or physiological parameters needed to respond to predictable environmental changes. Secondly, the effects of veterinary procedures and transportation were studied in both seasons. Non-invasive methods were applied, assessing behaviour through videos and adrenocortical activity by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). Lesser anteaters exhibited seasonality (summer > winter) in some behavioural parameters, such as nocturnal activities, as well as in the activity cycle (e.g., acrophase) and FGMs. A veterinary check elicited an increase in total activity (TA), natural behaviours and repetitive locomotion and affected the activity cycle, particularly in summer. Transport produced changes in TA, nocturnal and natural activity and some variables of the activity cycle, mostly during summer. Although the effects of routine management procedures were different from each other and presumably stressful, they elicited changes only at the behavioural level, which was greater during summer. The differences observed according to non-invasive methodologies highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this context and suggest that it is unlikely that individual welfare was affected.
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Rørvang MV, Ničová K, Sassner H, Nawroth C. Horses' ( Equus caballus) Ability to Solve Visible but Not Invisible Displacement Tasks Is Associated With Frustration Behavior and Heart Rate. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:792035. [PMID: 34955782 PMCID: PMC8693624 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.792035] [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: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Many frameworks have assessed the ultimate and ontogenetic underpinnings in the development of object permanence, but less is known about whether individual characteristics, such as sex or training level, as well as proximate factors, such as arousal or emotional state, affect performance in these tasks. The current study investigated horses’ performance in visible and invisible displacement tasks and assessed whether specific ontogenetic, behavioral, and physiological factors were associated with performance. The study included 39 Icelandic horses aged 2–25 years, of varying training levels. The horses were exposed to three tasks: (a) a choice test (n = 37), (b) a visible displacement task (n = 35), and (c) an invisible displacement task (n = 31). 27 horses in the choice test, and 8 horses in the visible displacement task, performed significantly better than expected by chance, while none did so in the invisible displacement task. This was also reflected in their group performance, where horses performed above chance level in the choice task and the visible displacement task only. In the invisible displacement task, the group performed significantly worse than expected by chance indicating that horses persistently chose the side where they had last seen the target. None of the individual characteristics included in the study had an effect on performance. Unsuccessful horses had higher heart rate levels, and expressed more behavior indicative of frustration, likely because of their inability to solve the task. The increased frustration/arousal could lead to a negative feedback loop, which might hamper performance in subsequent trials. Care should thus be taken in future experimental designs to closely monitor the arousal level of the tested individuals in order to safeguard comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vilain Rørvang
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Klára Ničová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Hanna Sassner
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Christian Nawroth
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Dummerstorf, Germany
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Churakov M, Silvera AM, Gussmann M, Nielsen PP. Parity and days in milk affect cubicle occupancy in dairy cows. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Supplementation with Spirulina platensis Prevents Uterine Diseases Related to Muscle Reactivity and Oxidative Stress in Rats Undergoing Strength Training. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13113763. [PMID: 34836018 PMCID: PMC8620984 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Strength training increases systemic oxygen consumption, causing the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, which in turn, provokes oxidative stress reactions and cellular processes that induce uterine contraction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Spirulina platensis (SP), an antioxidant blue algae, on the contractile and relaxation reactivity of rat uterus and the balance of oxidative stress/antioxidant defenses. Female Wistar rats were divided into sedentary (CG), trained (TG), and T + supplemented (TG50, TG100) groups. Reactivity was analyzed by AQCAD, oxidative stress was evaluated by the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, and the antioxidant capacity was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Strength training increased contractile reactivity and decreased the pharmaco-mechanical component of relaxing reactivity in rat uterus. In addition, training decreased oxidation inhibition in the plasma and exercise increased oxidative stress in the uterine tissue; however, supplementation with algae prevented this effect and potentiated the increase in antioxidant capacity. Therefore, this study demonstrated that food supplementation prevents changes in reactivity and oxidative stress induced by strength training in a rat uterus, showing for the first time, that the uterus is a target for this exercise modality and antioxidant supplementation with S. platensis is an alternative means of preventing uterine dysfunction.
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Reyes-Sotelo B, Mota-Rojas D, Mora-Medina P, Ogi A, Mariti C, Olmos-Hernández A, Martínez-Burnes J, Hernández-Ávalos I, Sánchez-Millán J, Gazzano A. Blood Biomarker Profile Alterations in Newborn Canines: Effect of the Mother's Weight. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2307. [PMID: 34438764 PMCID: PMC8388527 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to determine the effect of the weight of bitches on liveborn and stillbirth puppies from eutocic births, and physiological blood alterations during the first minute postpartum. A total of 52 female dogs were evaluated and distributed in four categories: C1 (4.0-8.0 kg, n = 19), C2 (8.1-16.0 kg, n = 16), C3 (16.1-32.0 kg, n = 11), and C4 (32.1-35.8 kg, n = 6). The dams produced 225 liveborn puppies and 47 were classified as stillbirth type II. Blood samples were taken from the umbilical vein to evaluate the concentration of gases, glucose, lactate, calcium, hematocrit levels, and blood pH. The liveborn puppies in C2, C3, and C4 had more evident physiological alterations (hypercapnia, acidosis) than those in C1 (p < 0.05). These signs indicate a process of transitory asphyxiation. The stillborn pups in all four categories had higher weights than their liveborn littermates. C3 and C4 had the highest mean weights (419.86 and 433.79 g, respectively) and mortality rates (C3 = 20.58%, C4 = 24.58%). Results suggest that if the weight of the bitch is >16.1 kg in eutocic births, there is a higher risk of intrapartum physiological alterations and death. The results of this study allowed us to identify that the weight of dams before birth determines the weight of the puppies at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Reyes-Sotelo
- Science Program “Maestria en Ciencias Agropecuarias”, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico;
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assesment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico; (P.M.-M.); (I.H.-Á.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Asahi Ogi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (C.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Chiara Mariti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (C.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology-Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico;
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Animal Health Group, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Mexico;
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico; (P.M.-M.); (I.H.-Á.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Jose Sánchez-Millán
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico; (P.M.-M.); (I.H.-Á.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Angelo Gazzano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (C.M.); (A.G.)
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de Jong IC, Blaauw XE, van der Eijk JA, Souza da Silva C, van Krimpen MM, Molenaar R, van den Brand H. Providing environmental enrichments affects activity and performance, but not leg health in fast- and slower-growing broiler chickens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Diniz AFA, de Oliveira Claudino BF, Duvirgens MV, da Silva Souza PP, Ferreira PB, Júnior FFL, Alves AF, da Silva BA. Spirulina platensis Consumption Prevents Obesity and Improves the Deleterious Effects on Intestinal Reactivity in Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:3260789. [PMID: 34367461 PMCID: PMC8337120 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3260789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of hypercaloric diets is related to the development of obesity, favoring the etiology of gastrointestinal disorders. In this context, Spirulina platensis (SP), some blue-green algae with antioxidant action, appears as a potential therapeutic alternative to prevent obesity and associated intestinal disorders. Thus, the present study is aimed at evaluating the deleterious effects of the hypercaloric diet on the contractile and relaxing reactivity of the ileum of rats, as well as the possible preventive mechanisms of dietary supplementation with SP. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: fed a standard diet (SD), a hypercaloric diet (HCD), and/or supplemented with 25 mg/kg SP (HCD + SP25) for 8 weeks. The hypercaloric diet was effective in promoting obesity in rats, as well as decreasing potency and ileal relaxing and contractile efficacy. In contrast, dietary supplementation with SP was able to prevent some of the parameters of experimental obesity. In addition, SP prevented the reduction of intestinal reactivity, possibly due to a positive modulation of voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV) and negative regulation of muscarinic receptors (M3). Thus, food supplementation with Spirulina platensis becomes a promising alternative in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases induced and/or aggravated by obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Fellyp Avelino Diniz
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Products Bioactive/Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Paula Benvindo Ferreira
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Products Bioactive/Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Francisco Fernandes Lacerda Júnior
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Products Bioactive/Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Adriano Francisco Alves
- General Pathology Laboratory-Health Sciences Center-Department of Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Bagnólia Araújo da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Products Bioactive/Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department/Health Sciences Center/Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
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Almeida J, Severo F, Nunes D. Impact of the Sound of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pulse Sequences in Awake Mice. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2021; 25:75-88. [PMID: 34286640 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.1941023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research field of high interest as the implementation of new imaging modalities can significantly improve clinical diagnosis of several human pathologies. Awake nonhuman animals in the laboratory are being used in MRI pre-clinical systems for the validation of new imaging techniques, but animal welfare concerns emerge as MRI pulse sequences produce extremely loud sounds, up to 120 dB. Consequently, it is unclear how stressful these sounds are to the animals. Here, the impact of these sounds in the rodent behavior and physiology was evaluated. To achieve this, C57BL6/J mice were divided into two groups: a group exposed to sounds of typical pulse sequences used in imaging and a control group that was not exposed to those sounds. Mice have been tested in the open field and elevated plus maze to monitor baseline behavior and a hormonal stress biomarker was assayed to assess acute stress. The results indicate that the pulse sequences used in MRI are transient stressors that overall do not impact the behavioral status of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Almeida
- Animal Vivarium, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Frederico Severo
- Neuroplasticity and Neural Activity Lab, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel Nunes
- Neuroplasticity and Neural Activity Lab, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
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Soares Bolzan AM, Szymczak LS, Nadin L, Bonnet OJF, Wallau MO, de Moraes A, Moraes RF, Monteiro ALG, Carvalho PCF. What, how, and how much do herbivores eat? The Continuous Bite Monitoring method for assessing forage intake of grazing animals. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:9217-9226. [PMID: 34306618 PMCID: PMC8293712 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining herbage intake is pivotal for studies on grazing ecology. Direct observation of animals allows describing the interactions of animals with the pastoral environment along the complex grazing process. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the reliability of the continuous bite monitoring (CBM) method in determining herbage intake in grazing sheep compared to the standard double-weighing technique method during 45-min feeding bouts; evaluate the degree of agreement between the two techniques; and to test the effect of different potential sources of variation on the reliability of the CBM. The CBM method has been used to describe the intake behavior of grazing herbivores. In this study, we evaluated a new approach to this method, that is, whether it is a good proxy for determining the intake of grazing animals. Three experiments with grazing sheep were carried out in which we tested for different sources of variations, such as the number of observers, level of detail of bite coding grid, forage species, forage allowance, sward surface height heterogeneity, experiment site, and animal weight, to determine the short-term intake rate (45 min). Observer (Pexp1 = 0.018, Pexp2 = 0.078, and Pexp3 = 0.006), sward surface height (Pexp2 < 0.001), total number of bites observed per grazing session (Pexp2 < 0.001 and Pexp3 < 0.001), and sward depletion (Pexp3 < 0.001) were found to affect the absolute error of intake estimation. The results showed a high correlation and agreement between the two methods in the three experiments, although intake was overestimation by CBM on experiments 2 and 3 (181.38 and 214.24 units, respectively). This outcome indicates the potential of CBM to determining forage intake with the benefit of a greater level of detail on foraging patterns and components of the diet. Furthermore, direct observation is not invasive nor disrupts natural animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonardo S. Szymczak
- Department of Forage Plants and AgrometeorologyFederal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrazil
- Department of Crop Production and ProtectionFederal University of ParanáCuritibaPRBrazil
| | - Laura Nadin
- Faculty of Veterinary SciencesNational University of the Centre of the Buenos Aires ProvinceTandilArgentina
| | - Olivier Jean F. Bonnet
- Department of Forage Plants and AgrometeorologyFederal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrazil
- Centre d'Études et de Réalisations Pastorales Alpes‐MéditerranéeDigne les BainsFrance
| | | | - Anibal de Moraes
- Department of Crop Production and ProtectionFederal University of ParanáCuritibaPRBrazil
| | - Renata F. Moraes
- Department of Crop Production and ProtectionFederal University of ParanáCuritibaPRBrazil
| | | | - Paulo C. F. Carvalho
- Department of Forage Plants and AgrometeorologyFederal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrazil
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Ugbaja RN, Fatokun TP, Akinloye DI, James AS, Onabanjo OO, Akinloye OA. Propolis ethanol extract abrogates hyperglycemia, lipotoxicity, and lowered hepatic poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein level in male albino rats. J Diabetes Metab Disord 2021; 20:683-696. [PMID: 34178859 PMCID: PMC8212341 DOI: 10.1007/s40200-021-00800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Diabetes is a major cause of death worldwide and currently available allopathic drugs presents adverse side effects, thus, necessitating a continuous screening for natural products. This study therefore investigated the effects of Propolis Ethanol Extract (PEE) on blood sugar, lipid metabolism, and poly-(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARPs) protein level of diabetic male Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY Seventy rats weighing between (150-180) g used in this study were randomized into seven (7) groups as follows: group 1 (Normal control given Olive oil), group 2 (Diabetic control given Olive oil), group 3 [Diabetic + PEE (200 mg/kg)], group 4 [Diabetic + (PEE 600 mg/kg)], group 5 [Diabetic + Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg)], group 6 [Normal + PEE (200 mg/kg)], and group 7 [Normal + PEE (600 mg/kg)]. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg in 0.1 M citrate buffer pH 4.5), while the vehicle and PEE were orally administered once daily. Treatment with PEE commenced after the confirmation of diabetes. Five rats from each group were sacrificed after the third and sixth weeks of PEE treatment. RESULTS Administration of PEE significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the elevated fasting blood sugar, improves body weight, and abated lipotoxicity in the brain, heart, liver and kidney of the treated groups in a dose- and duration-dependent manners. The increased protein level of PARPs and lowered hydroxyl methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase activity were significantly reversed after PEE treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that PEE might be a suitable and viable regimen against diabetic complications in rats. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Ngozi Ugbaja
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Nigeria
- Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry Programme), Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State Nigeria
| | - Tolulope Peter Fatokun
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Nigeria
| | - Dorcas Ibukun Akinloye
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Nigeria
| | - Adewale Segun James
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Nigeria
| | - Oluseye Olusegun Onabanjo
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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Rieke L, Spindler B, Zylka I, Kemper N, Giersberg MF. Pecking Behavior in Conventional Layer Hybrids and Dual-Purpose Hens Throughout the Laying Period. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:660400. [PMID: 33969040 PMCID: PMC8102775 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.660400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To avoid the killing of surplus male layer chickens, dual-purpose hybrids are suggested as an alternative approach. These strains may offer additional advantages compared to conventional laying hens, for instance, a lower tendency to develop injurious pecking behavior. The aim of this study was to assess the behavior, with focus on pecking behavior, of conventional layers (Lohmann Brown plus, LB+) and dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD). About 1,845 hens per strain with intact beaks were housed in four stable compartments in aviary systems. Video-based scan sampling of general behaviors and continuous observations of pecking behavior were carried out between 25 and 69 weeks of life. With the exception of "dustbathing" and "scratching," hybrid × time during the laying period affected all of the observed general behaviors [F (2, 89) = 3.92-10.81, P < 0.001-0.05]. With increasing age, the LB+ hens performed more general pecking, more locomotion and less comfort and sitting behavior. General pecking and comfort behavior did not change over time in the LD hens, whereas inactive behaviors increased with age. During continuous observations, a significant hybrid x period interaction was found for all forms of pecking behavior [F (2, 89) = 4.55-14.80, P < 0.001-0.05]. The LB+ hens showed particularly more severe feather pecking (SFP), which increased with age. In contrast, SFP remained exceptionally low in the LD hens throughout production. Therefore, dual-purpose hybrids should be considered as an alternative to both avoid the killing of surplus male chickens and the development of SFP in laying hen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Rieke
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Birgit Spindler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Isabel Zylka
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Mona Franziska Giersberg
- Animals in Science and Society, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Paiva Ferreira LKD, Paiva Ferreira LAM, Bezerra Barros GC, Mozzini Monteiro T, de Araújo Silva LA, Pereira RDA, Figueiredo PTR, Alves AF, Rodrigues LC, Piuvezam MR. MHTP, a synthetic alkaloid, attenuates combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome through downregulation of the p38/ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107590. [PMID: 33857802 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS) is a chronic airway inflammation of allergic individuals, with a type 2 immune response. Pharmacotherapy is based on drugs with relevant side effects. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the synthetic alkaloid, MHTP in the experimental model of CARAS. Therefore, BALB/c mice were ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized and -challenged and treated with MHTP by intranasal or oral routes. Treated animals showed a decrease (p < 0.05) of sneezing, nasal rubbings, and histamine nasal hyperactivity. Besides, MHTP presented binding energy and favorable interaction for adequate anchoring in the histamine H1 receptor. MHTP treatment inhibited the eosinophil migration into the nasal (NALF) and the bronchoalveolar (BALF) fluids. Histological analysis showed that the alkaloid decreased the inflammatory cells in the subepithelial and perivascular regions of nasal tissue and in the peribronchiolar and perivascular regions of lung tissue. The MHTP treatment also reduced the pulmonary hyperactivity by decreasing the smooth muscle layer hypertrophy and the collagen fiber deposition in the extracellular matrix. The immunomodulatory effect of the alkaloid was due to the decrease of cytokines like IL-5 and IL-17A (type 2 and 3), TSLP (epithelial), and the immunoregulatory cytokine, TGF-β. These MHTP effects on granulocytes were dependent on the p38/ERK1/2 MAP kinase signaling pathway axis. Indeed, the synthetic alkaloid reduced the frequency of activation of both kinases independent of the NF-κB (p65) pathway indicating that the molecule shut down the intracellular transduction signals underlie the cytokine gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laércia K D Paiva Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Larissa A M Paiva Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Grasiela C Bezerra Barros
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz A de Araújo Silva
- Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Postgraduate Program in Development and Technological Innovation in Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Ramon de A Pereira
- Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Department of General Pathology, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro T R Figueiredo
- Drug Research Institute of the Federal University of Paraíba, Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Adriano Francisco Alves
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Luís Cezar Rodrigues
- Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Postgraduate Program in Development and Technological Innovation in Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Marcia Regina Piuvezam
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
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Using GPS tracking for fruit bat conservation. ORYX 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605320000563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractUnderstanding the ecology of species is key to the development of effective conservation measures. For many fruit bat species, however, even baseline knowledge of ecology and behaviour is lacking. To identify feeding sites of the Critically Endangered Livingstone's flying fox Pteropus livingstonii on the island of Anjouan, Comoros, we piloted the use of GPS loggers. Two bats (one female, one male) were tagged in early 2019, and data collected for 217 and 35 days, respectively. Acceleration data facilitated the classification of location points into behavioural categories. Potential feeding sites were located by cluster analysis of all location points that were attributed to a behavioural category in which feeding could occur. One important feeding site was located in an agricultural area. This is the first time quantitative behavioural data have been collected for Livingstone's flying foxes, providing insight into the ecological needs of this threatened species. These findings have the potential to inform applied conservation management decisions for protecting the resources required for the survival of this species.
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Pessoa RF, Duarte Figueiredo IA, Dantas Ferreira SR, Lima de Farias Cavalcanti Silva AR, Marinho Paiva RL, Cordeiro LV, de Oliveira Lima E, Cabrera SP, Sarmento Silva TM, de Andrade Cavalcante F. Investigation of ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillett (Burseraceae) in treatment of diarrhea. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 268:113564. [PMID: 33166628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett, popularly known as "imburana", "imburana-de-cheiro" or "imburana-de-espinho", has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea. The indian tribes "Kairir-Shokó and shokó use the bark to treat diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence to justify the therapeutic use of this species. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos, with respect to the antimicrobial, antisecretory, antimotility and antispasmodic activities of the crude ethanolic extract obtained from its leaves (CL-EtOHL) and the mechanism underlying this action in rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities was determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract, against different strains of bacteria and fungi. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraíba (045/2016). In addition, behavioral screening and acute toxicity assessment of CL-EtOHL were performed in female mice (n = 6). In the investigation of antidiarrheal activity (n = 6), frequency of defecation and number of liquid stools, were classified during 4 h, and intestinal fluid and transit were measured. In addition, the antispasmodic effect on rat ileum (n = 5) was also investigated. RESULTS The ethanolic extract is rich in flavonoids and the main were identified as C-glycosylated flavonoids (isoorientin, orientin, and vitexin). In the evaluation of antimicrobial and antifungal activity, the extract showed moderate efficacy only against the tested strains of Candida krusei ATCC-6258, Candida parapsilosis ATCC-22019 and Candida glabrata ATCC-90030. The extract had no toxic effect until 2000 mg/kg. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, CL-EtOHL inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both total defecation frequency (ED50 = 380.4 ± 145.4 mg/kg) and the number of watery stools (ED50 = 151.2 ± 76.3 mg/kg). The extract showed no effect on fluid accumulation or normal intestinal transit. On the other hand, when the animals were pretreated with castor oil, the extract decreased the distance traveled by the activated charcoal (ED50 = 177.0 ± 50.3 mg/kg). In the investigation of antispasmodic effect, CL-EtOHL antagonized the contractions induced by KCl 30 mM (IC50 = 208.2 ± 25.9 μg/mL) and CCh 10-6 M (IC50 = 95. ± 22.0 μg/mL). To verify the participation of muscarinic receptors in this effect, cumulative carbachol curves were performed in the absence and presence of the extract, and a non-competitive pseudo-irreversible antagonism of these receptors was observed. CONCLUSION The data indicate that ethanol extract obtained from the leaves of Commiphora leptophloeos has an antidiarrheal effect due to inhibition of the intestinal motility and antispasmodic effect, through the antagonism of muscarinic receptors. In addition, we suggest that flavonoids isolated from CL-EtOHL may be responsible for antidiarrheal activity of this extract. This explains its ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane Fernandes Pessoa
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Laísa Vilar Cordeiro
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Edeltrudes de Oliveira Lima
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fabiana de Andrade Cavalcante
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil; Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia/Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil.
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Antidiarrheal Effect of Zornia brasiliensis Vogel (Leguminosae) on Mice Involves Adrenergic Pathway Activation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:1385606. [PMID: 33727938 PMCID: PMC7939745 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1385606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Several secondary metabolites have been isolated from Zornia brasiliensis (Leguminosae), mainly flavonoids. These compounds are known for many pharmacological actions, such as antispasmodic and antidiarrheal. Therefore, we evaluated the antidiarrheal effect of the ethanolic extract obtained from Zornia brasiliensis aerial parts (ZB-EtOHAP), as well as its underlying mechanisms. Castor-oil-induced diarrhea, fluid accumulation, and intestinal transit (normal and castor oil induced) were performed to assess the antidiarrheal, antisecretory, and antipropulsive activities of the extract. The involvement of opioid and adrenergic pathways was also investigated. ZB-EtOHAP inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both total defecation frequency and the number of watery stools. The extract showed no effect on fluid accumulation or normal intestinal transit. On the other hand, when the animals were pretreated with castor oil, the extract decreased the distance traveled by the marker in the small intestine. Investigation of the involvement of opioid and adrenergic systems showed that the pharmacological potency of the extract did not change in the presence of naloxone, but it was reduced in the presence of yohimbine. The data indicate that Zornia brasiliensis has an antidiarrheal effect due to inhibition of the intestinal motility through adrenergic pathway activation.
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Hearing Better with the Right Eye? The Lateralization of Multisensory Processing Affects Auditory Learning in Northern Bobwhite Quail ( Colinus Virginianus) Chicks. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021; 236. [PMID: 33776174 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Precocial avian species exhibit a high degree of lateralization of perceptual and motor abilities, including preferential eye use for tasks such as social recognition and predator detection. Such lateralization has been related, in part, to differential experience prior to hatch. That is, due to spatial and resulting postural constraints late in incubation, one eye and hemisphere-generally the right eye / left hemisphere-receive greater amounts of stimulation than the contralateral eye / hemisphere. This raises the possibility that the left hemisphere may specialize or show relative advantages in integrating information across visual and auditory modalities, given that it typically receives greater amounts of multimodal auditory and visual stimulation prior to hatch. The present study represents an initial investigation of this question in a precocial avian species, the Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Day-old bobwhite chicks received 5 min training sessions in which they vocalized to receive contingent playback of a bobwhite maternal call, presented with or without a light that flashed in synchrony with the notes of the call (i.e., bimodal versus unimodal exposure, respectively). Chicks were trained with or without eye patches that allowed them to experience the visual component of the bimodal stimulus with only the left eye (LE), right eye (RE), or both eyes (i.e., binocular; BIN). Finally, the light was placed in various positions relative to the speakers playing the maternal call across three experiments. 24 hrs later chicks were provided a simultaneous choice test between the familiarized and a novel bobwhite maternal call. Given that the right eye and ear typically face outward and are thus unoccluded by the body during late prenatal development, we hypothesized that RE chicks would show facilitated learning under bimodal conditions compared to all other training conditions. This hypothesis was partially confirmed in Experiment 1, when the light was positioned 40 cm above the source of the maternal call. However, we also observed evidence of suppressed learning in chicks provided BIN exposure to the bimodal audio-visual stimulus that was not present during auditory-only training. Experiments 2 and 3 demonstrated that this was likely related to activation of a left-hemisphere dependent fear response when the left eye was exposed to a visual stimulus that loomed above the auditory stimulus. These results indicate that multisensory processing is lateralized in a precocial bird and that these species may thus provide a unique model for studying experience-dependent plasticity of intersensory perception.
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Ribeiro-Filho J, da Silva Brandi J, Ferreira Costa H, Carla de Paula Medeiros K, Alves Leite J, Pergentino de Sousa D, Regina Piuvezam M. Carvone Enantiomers Differentially Modulate IgE-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239209. [PMID: 33287119 PMCID: PMC7731315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carvone is a monoterpene found in nature in the form of enantiomers (S- and R-). While previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of carvone, the influence of carvone enantiomeric composition on its anti-allergic activity remains to be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-allergic activity of carvone enantiomers in a murine model of airway allergic inflammation induced by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The oral treatment with R-carvone or S-carvone 1 h before each challenge inhibited the number of leukocytes and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). R-carvone inhibited leukocyte infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which was correlated with decreased production of OVA-specific IgE in the serum and increased concentrations of IL-10 in the BAL. On the other hand, the administration of S-carvone had little inhibitory effect on inflammatory infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which might be associated with increased production of IFN-γ in the BAL. When administered 1 h before each sensitization, both enantiomers inhibited eosinophil recruitment to the BAL but failed in decreasing the titers of IgE in the serum of allergic mice. Our data indicate that carvone enantiomers differentially modulated IgE-mediated airway inflammation in mice. In conclusion, unlike S-carvone, R-carvone has the potential to be used in anti-allergic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Ribeiro-Filho
- Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-71-3176-2226
| | - Juliana da Silva Brandi
- Departamento de Farmácia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Unifaminas Centro Universitário, Muriaé 36880-000, Brazil;
| | | | | | - Jacqueline Alves Leite
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil;
| | - Damião Pergentino de Sousa
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, UFPB, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil;
| | - Márcia Regina Piuvezam
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, UFPB, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil;
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Giersberg MF, Poolen I, de Baere K, Gunnink H, van Hattum T, van Riel JW, de Jong IC. Comparative assessment of general behaviour and fear-related responses in hatchery-hatched and on-farm hatched broiler chickens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Spatial and seasonal patterns of communal latrine use by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) reflect a seasonal resource defense strategy. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02895-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Potential Therapeutic Role of Dietary Supplementation with Spirulina platensis on the Erectile Function of Obese Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:3293065. [PMID: 32685091 PMCID: PMC7345966 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3293065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spirulina platensis, an important source of bioactive compounds, is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its nutrient composition, the alga is considered a complete food and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity, and reproprotective effects. All of which are important for prevention and treatment of organic and metabolic disorders such as obesity and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory role of Spirulina platensis food supplementation and the mechanisms of action involved in reversing the damage caused by a hypercaloric diet on the erectile function of rats. The animals were divided into a standard diet group (SD, n = 5); a hypercaloric diet group (HCD, n = 5); a hypercaloric diet group supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (HCD+SP25, n = 5), 50 (HCD+SP50, n = 5), and 100 mg/kg (HCD+SP100, n = 5); and a hypercaloric diet group subsequently fed a standard diet (HCD+SD, n = 5). In the rats fed a hypercaloric diet, dietary supplementation with S. platensis effectively increased the number of erections while decreasing latency to initiate penile erection. Additionally, S. platensis increases NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation by reducing the release of contractile prostanoids, enhances the relaxation effect promoted by acetylcholine (ACh), restores contractile reactivity damage and cavernous relaxation, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increases cavernous total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Food supplementation with S. platensis thus restores erectile function in obese rats, reduces production of contractile prostanoids, reduces oxidative stress, and increases NO bioavailability. Food supplementation with S. platensis thus emerges as a promising new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as induced by obesity.
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Miranda-de la Lama GC, Gonzales-Castro CA, Gutierrez-Piña FJ, Villarroel M, Maria GA, Estévez-Moreno LX. Welfare of horses from Mexico and the United States of America transported for slaughter in Mexico: Fitness profiles for transport and pre-slaughter logistics. Prev Vet Med 2020; 180:105033. [PMID: 32464300 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105033] [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: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Every year thousands of horses from Mexico and the United States of America (USA) are transported to slaughter in Mexico, but little is known about their welfare or pre-slaughter logistics. In this study, we recorded the origin, sex, age and condition of horses (121 journeys, 2648 animals) upon arrival to an abattoir in northern Mexico, including transport details. Horse welfare was measured indirectly via individual scores for body condition, coat quality, lameness, ocular and nasal discharge, as well as reactivity to a chute restraint test, all performed shortly after unloading. The average journey duration was 9.69 (±7.6) hours for horses from Mexico and 16.77 (±4.51) hours for horses from the USA (77 % of all journeys). The prevalence of ocular discharge, nasal discharge, skin wounds, lameness and diarrhoea, were 23 %, 12 %, 11 %, 9 %, 1 % (respectively) of all the horses observed, with no significant differences between Mexican and American horses (P ≥ 0.05). During the chute test the American horses were calmer than the Mexican ones (P < 0.001), who were more restless and aggressive (P = 0.001). Likewise, vocalizations in their three variants during the restraint, neigh/whinny (P = 0.018), nicker (P < 0.001), and snort (P = 0.018), were more common in horses from Mexico. In order to help characterize fitness for transport, a two-step cluster analysis was applied using the welfare indicators, suggesting the existence of four clusters (C) evaluated on arrival at the abattoir (from good to very poor fitness): good (profile C4, n = 769, 29.1 %), average (profile C1, n = 799 horses, 30.2 %), poor (profile C3, n = 586, 22.1 %) and very poor (profile C2, n = 494, 18.6 %). In fact, the C4 best welfare group had 0% lame, 0% nasal discharge, 16.4 % ocular discharge, 7.9 % skin wounds. Instead, the C2 poorest welfare group had 45.8 % lame, 61.1 % nasal discharge, 42.8 % ocular discharge, and 19.9 % skin wounds. Results show potential for using nasal discharge, lameness and ocular discharge as key indicators of horse fitness and welfare on abattoir. The study provides detailed scientific data to help establish strategies regarding optimal days of recovery post-transport and fattening for homogenization of weights between animals of different origins, logistic planning, and optimization of logistic resources to minimize the biological cost of long-distance transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genaro C Miranda-de la Lama
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Food Science, Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM-Lerma), Lerma de Villada, State of México, Mexico.
| | - Cesar A Gonzales-Castro
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), El Cordobel, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Francisco J Gutierrez-Piña
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), El Cordobel, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Morris Villarroel
- CEIGRAM, ETSIAAB, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo A Maria
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura X Estévez-Moreno
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Giersberg MF, Spindler B, Kemper N. Are dual-purpose hens less fearful than conventional layer hybrids? Vet Rec 2020; 187:e35. [PMID: 32345607 DOI: 10.1136/vr.105790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive fear in farm animals can lead to chronic stress and thus impair animal welfare. In laying hens, fear responses in several behavioural tests have also been associated with the occurrence of feather pecking. The aim of the present study was to comparatively assess fear-related responses of conventional layer hybrids (Lohmann Brown plus, LB+) and dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD), which seem to be less prone to injurious pecking. METHODS A novel object (NO) and an avoidance distance (AD) test were carried out in both hybrids at a group level and at different ages during the laying period in order to measure their fear-related responses. RESULTS On most study days, more LD hens approached the NO and they approached it sooner than the LB+ hens. Similarly, the LD hens retreated at smaller distances from a human being in the AD test. CONCLUSION The results indicate that dual-purpose hens act less fearful in the performed behavioural tests compared with conventional layer hybrids. Therefore, dual-purpose hens might experience less stress during daily management routines, which would affect animal welfare positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Franziska Giersberg
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands .,Department Population Health Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit Spindler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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Vega-Manriquez XD, Ubiarco-López A, Verdugo-Rodríguez A, Hernández-Chiñas U, Navarro-Ocaña A, Ahumada-Cota RE, Ramírez-Badillo D, Hernández-Díaz de León N, Eslava CA. Pet dogs potential transmitters of pathogenic Escherichia coli with resistance to antimicrobials. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:1173-1179. [PMID: 32076735 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli strains are part of the normal biota of humans and animals; however, several clinical reports have implicated E. coli as the etiological agent of diarrhea in humans and companion animals. Thus, the aim of the present study was to know if companion dogs in the city of San Luis Potosi are colonized with virulent potentially harmful E. coli strains. Rectal swabs from 30 dogs, 13 with and 17 without diarrhea were analyzed. Phylogenetic and virulence genes analysis was performed to the E. coli isolates. Additionally, the Kirby-Bauer test was used to analyze the sensitivity to 32 different antimicrobials from 14 families. Eighty-five isolates were identified as E. coli and detected in 97% of healthy and diarrheic dog samples. E. coli isolates from healthy dogs carried several virulence genes, in contrast with those from diarrheic animals that presented only eaeA. In healthy dogs, phylogenetic analysis showed that 57% and 43% of E. coli isolates belonged to commensal (A and B1) and virulent (B2 and D) groups respectively. Meanwhile, diarrheic dogs showed that 69% of the isolates were identified as virulent B2 and D phylogroups. Moreover, E. coli resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, quinolones, and folate inhibitors were detected in both groups of dogs. The presence of E. coli with eaeA virulence gene in diarrheic dogs, suggest that these strains are associated with the animal´s condition. Finally, major attention must be drawn to the careful handling of dogs because of their capability to harbor and disseminate virulent E. coli strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- X D Vega-Manriquez
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Potosí, Mexico
| | - A Ubiarco-López
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Peripheral Unit of Basic and Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases, Public health Department/Research Division, Faculty of Medicine UNAM; Bacterial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Hemato-Oncology and Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez/Faculty of Medicine UNAM, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. De los Doctores, CP 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Verdugo-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - U Hernández-Chiñas
- Peripheral Unit of Basic and Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases, Public health Department/Research Division, Faculty of Medicine UNAM; Bacterial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Hemato-Oncology and Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez/Faculty of Medicine UNAM, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. De los Doctores, CP 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Navarro-Ocaña
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología, Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R E Ahumada-Cota
- Peripheral Unit of Basic and Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases, Public health Department/Research Division, Faculty of Medicine UNAM; Bacterial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Hemato-Oncology and Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez/Faculty of Medicine UNAM, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. De los Doctores, CP 06720, Mexico City, Mexico.,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - D Ramírez-Badillo
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Potosí, Mexico
| | | | - C A Eslava
- Peripheral Unit of Basic and Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases, Public health Department/Research Division, Faculty of Medicine UNAM; Bacterial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Hemato-Oncology and Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez/Faculty of Medicine UNAM, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. De los Doctores, CP 06720, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Reference Gene and Protein Expression Levels in Two Different NAFLD Mouse Models. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2020; 2020:1093235. [PMID: 32089674 PMCID: PMC7023843 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1093235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression levels of some reference genes and proteins are used for data normalization and quantification. However, these levels can change in response to experimental conditions or treatments. Aim. The aim of this work was to evaluate reference gene and protein expression in models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, using mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and mice that are genetically obese (ob/ob). Main Methods. Histological staining techniques were used to verify the morphology and quantify the amount of lipid droplets present in the liver. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were employed for monitoring protein expression and gene expression levels, respectively. Key Finding. The results showed that there was a substantial increase in the amount of lipid droplets in the livers of HFD and ob/ob animals when compared to the standard diet (SD) group. There was an observed reduction in the expression of β-actin (10%), α-tubulin (6%), GAPDH (19%), and RPL3 (15%) genes when comparing the ob/ob group to the HFD group. Additionally, the ob/ob mice displayed GAPDH protein levels that were substantially, but not significantly, reduced when compared to SD. Significance. It was concluded that there are slight differences in the expression levels of reference genes and proteins in these two NAFLD animal models, and researchers should consider these alterations when working with these models.
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