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Sotelo MI, Markunas C, Kudlak T, Kohtz C, Vyssotski AL, Rothschild G, Eban-Rothschild A. Neurophysiological and behavioral synchronization in group-living and sleeping mice. Curr Biol 2024; 34:132-146.e5. [PMID: 38141615 PMCID: PMC10843607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.11.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions profoundly influence animal development, physiology, and behavior. Yet, how sleep-a central behavioral and neurophysiological process-is modulated by social interactions is poorly understood. Here, we characterized sleep behavior and neurophysiology in freely moving and co-living mice under different social conditions. We utilized wireless neurophysiological devices to simultaneously record multiple individuals within a group for 24 h, alongside video acquisition. We first demonstrated that mice seek physical contact before sleep initiation and sleep while in close proximity to each other (hereafter, "huddling"). To determine whether huddling during sleep is a motivated behavior, we devised a novel behavioral apparatus allowing mice to choose whether to sleep in close proximity to a conspecific or in solitude, under different environmental conditions. We also applied a deep-learning-based approach to classify huddling behavior. We demonstrate that mice are willing to forgo their preferred sleep location, even under thermoneutral conditions, to gain access to social contact during sleep. This strongly suggests that the motivation for prolonged physical contact-which we term somatolonging-drives huddling behavior. We then characterized sleep architecture under different social conditions and uncovered a social-dependent modulation of sleep. We also revealed coordination in multiple neurophysiological features among co-sleeping individuals, including in the timing of falling asleep and waking up and non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) intensity. Notably, the timing of rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) was synchronized among co-sleeping male siblings but not co-sleeping female or unfamiliar mice. Our findings provide novel insights into the motivation for physical contact and the extent of social-dependent plasticity in sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I Sotelo
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chelsea Markunas
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tyler Kudlak
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chani Kohtz
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alexei L Vyssotski
- Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Gideon Rothschild
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Yadav RSP, Ansari F, Bera N, Kent C, Agrawal P. Lessons from lonely flies: Molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying social isolation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 156:105504. [PMID: 38061597 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Animals respond to changes in the environment which affect their internal state by adapting their behaviors. Social isolation is a form of passive environmental stressor that alters behaviors across animal kingdom, including humans, rodents, and fruit flies. Social isolation is known to increase violence, disrupt sleep and increase depression leading to poor mental and physical health. Recent evidences from several model organisms suggest that social isolation leads to remodeling of the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape which alters behavioral outcomes. In this review, we explore how manipulating social experience of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster can shed light on molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying isolation driven behaviors. We discuss the recent advances made using the powerful genetic toolkit and behavioral assays in Drosophila to uncover role of neuromodulators, sensory modalities, pheromones, neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms in mediating social isolation. The insights gained from these studies could be crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sai Prathap Yadav
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Faizah Ansari
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Neha Bera
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Clement Kent
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Pavan Agrawal
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India.
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Ede T, Parsons TD. Cognitive tasks as measures of pig welfare: a systematic review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1251070. [PMID: 38033647 PMCID: PMC10683646 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1251070] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive approaches are increasingly used to assess animal welfare, but no systematic review has been conducted on pigs despite their cognitive capacities. Our aims were two-fold: first, to assess the popularity and heterogeneity of this approach by quantifying the different cognitive tasks used and welfare interventions studied. The second was to assess how often results from cognitive tasks supported treatment effects. The search yielded 36 studies that met our criteria. Eleven different cognitive tasks were applied (three most common: judgment bias, learned approach/aversion, and holeboard). Welfare interventions investigated were also diverse: the impact of 19 other different events/conditions/states were reported (most common: housing enrichment). We defined "supportive" as the observation of a significant difference between treatment groups consistent with an author's expectation or hypothesis. Supportive findings were reported in 44% of papers. Interventions yielded no significant difference in 33% of studies. In another 21% of reports, outcomes were mixed and a single study refuted the author's predictions. When considering specific cognitive tasks, authors' predictions of welfare differences were supported most often when using learned approach/aversion (55% of these studies). Similar supportive results were observed less commonly (40% each) when using judgment bias and holeboard tests. Analysis of additional concomitant measures of welfare (health, physiology or behavior) revealed that behavioral measures were most frequently supportive of author's expectations (41%) as well as often matching the actual outcomes of these cognitive tasks (47%). This systematic review highlights the growing popularity of cognitive tasks as measures of pig welfare. However, overall rates of supportive results, i.e., changes in performance on cognitive tasks due to welfare interventions, have been limited so far, even for the most employed task, judgment bias. The numerous different combinations of experimental paradigms and welfare interventions reported in the literature creates challenges for a critical meta-analysis of the field especially in evaluating the efficiency of specific cognitive tasks in assessing animal welfare. This work also highlights important knowledge gaps in the use of cognitive tasks that will require both further validation as well as novel innovation to ensure that their potential is fully realized in the measurement of pig welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ede
- Swine Teaching and Research Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, United States
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Mahendran SA, Wathes DC, Booth RE, Baker N, Blackie N. Effects of Individual and Pair Housing of Calves on Short-Term Health and Behaviour on a UK Commercial Dairy Farm. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2140. [PMID: 37443938 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132140] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Social pair housing of calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts for calves, so this study aimed to compare the health and behaviour of calves kept in individual compared to pair housing on a single commercial UK dairy farm. A total of 457 Holstein and Jersey heifer calves were recruited and systematically allocated to individual and pair housing. Weekly visits were conducted up to 8 weeks of age, with weight and presence of clinical disease measured using both a standardized scoring system and thoracic ultrasonography. A subset of calves (n = 90) had accelerometers attached to monitor activity, with CCTV placed above a further 16 pens to allow behavioural assessments to be made via continuous focal sampling at 1 and 5 weeks of age. During the study, there was a mortality rate of 2.8%, and an average daily liveweight gain (ADLG) of 0.72 kg/day, with no significant effect of housing group (p = 0.76). However, individually housed calves had increased odds of developing disease (OR = 1.88, p = 0.014). Accelerometer data showed that housing group had no effect on lying times, with a mean of 18 h 11 min per day (SD 39 min) spent lying down. The motion index was significantly higher in pair-housed calves (F1,83 = 440.3, p < 0.01), potentially due to more social play behaviour. The total time engaged in non-nutritive oral behaviours (NNOBs) was not impacted by housing group (p = 0.72). Pair-housed calves split their time conducting NNOBs equally between inanimate objects and on their pen mates' body. Individually housed calves spent significantly more time with their head out of the front of the pen (p = 0.006), and also engaged in more self-grooming than pair-housed calves (p = 0.017), possibly due to a lack of socialization. The overall findings of this study indicate that within a UK commercial dairy management system, pair-housed calves were healthier and more active than individually housed calves, while housing group did not influence ADLG or the occurrence of NNOBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A Mahendran
- Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
| | - D Claire Wathes
- Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Richard E Booth
- Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Neil Baker
- Leaze Farm, Haselbury Plucknett, Crewkerne TA18 7RJ, UK
| | - Nicola Blackie
- Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
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Novák J, Frynta D, Nováková D, Patoka J. Social deprivation in maternal mouthbrooders Tropheus sp. "Caramba" (Teleostei: Cichlidae) decreases the success rate of reproduction and survival rate of fish fry. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8284. [PMID: 37217600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35467-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Early offspring separation from mothers causes social deprivation. Mouthbrooding, when eggs and fry are incubated in the buccal cavity of the parent, is one of the reproductive strategies in fish. The mother is the incubating parent in African lake cichlids from the genus Tropheus. Many of these are produced in captivity and some producers use artificial incubators in which eggs are incubated separately from the mother. We hypothesized that this practice may dramatically modify the reproduction rate of fish individuals produced by the method of artificial incubation. The long-term experiment focused on Tropheus sp. "Caramba" had been carried out for 10 years when maternally incubated and separated individuals were compared. We found a negative effect of artificial egg and offspring incubation out of the mother's buccal cavity. The deprived females laid the same number of eggs as maternally incubated females, but most eggs were lost during the incubation. Moreover, the reproduction frequency was significantly lower in deprived females in comparison with those maternally incubated. This study should be perceived as preliminary. For this reason and with respect to welfare principles, we strongly recommend similarly designed experiments focused on other potentially sensitive fish mouthbrooders. Once the syndrome would be confirmed, we recommend avoiding artificial incubation of mouthbrooding fish in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindřich Novák
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Nováková
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, 12108, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Patoka
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Van Kerschaver C, Turpin D, Michiels J, Pluske J. Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101644. [PMID: 37238074 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101644] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The weaning of pigs in most commercial pork production systems is an abrupt event performed at a fairly young age, i.e., mostly between 2.5 and 5 weeks of age. This practice induces a stress response, and its impact on behavior, performance and the gastrointestinal tract has been well described. Historically, there has been a focus on pre- and post-weaning nutritional strategies and post-weaning housing conditions and medication to improve production and reduce mortality after weaning. However, alternative pre-weaning housing and management systems that promote the development of natural social behaviors of piglets before weaning have recently received more attention. Co-mingling of non-littermates before weaning is a strategy that aims to initiate social interactions prior to weaning. The separation of the litter from the sow in the period leading up to weaning, termed intermittent suckling, aims to enhance the gradual separation from the sow. In addition, these practices encourage the young pig to learn explorative nutrient sourcing. Altogether, they may reduce weaning-associated stress. In this review, these strategies are defined, and their effects on behavior, performance, mortality, gastrointestinal function and immunocompetence are described. Though these strategies may be adapted to a commercial setting, it also becomes clear that many factors can contribute to the success of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Van Kerschaver
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Diana Turpin
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth 6151, Australia
| | - Joris Michiels
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John Pluske
- Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited, Willaston 5118, Australia
- Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
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Cheng Z, Zhou ST, Zhang XH, Fu Q, Yang Y, Ji WB, Liu HG. Effects of early intermittent maternal separation on behavior, physiological, and growth performance in piglets. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad122. [PMID: 37094606 PMCID: PMC10195192 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad122] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In pig production, the management of piglets by batch lactation due to the increase in litter sizes of sows may result in intermittent early neonatal maternal separation (NMS). We speculated that NMS may affect the piglets cognitive growth performance and health. To determine the extent of the effect, 12 litters of crossbred piglets (Large White × Duroc × Min-pig) were used in this trial. Piglets in the control (Con) group (n = 6) were given a standard feeding method during lactation. Piglets in the experimental group (n = 6) were subjected to the NMS model, in which sows were led out of the enclosure with food every day (8:00-11:00 and 13:00-16:00) starting from postnatal day (PND) 7. During the separation, the piglets were supplemented with milk. All experimental piglets were weaned on PND 35. The piglets were observed for aggression, play, mutual sniffing, and exploratory behavior on PNDs 7, 8, 21, 22, 34, 35, 38, 39, 51, 52, 64, and 65. Physiological indicators, namely serum adrenaline, cortisol, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured on PNDs 35, 38, and 65, while piglet growth performance was evaluated during suckling and 1 month after weaning. The results showed that aggressive behavior in the MS group was significantly higher than that in the Con group (P < 0.05). Playful and mutual sniffing behaviors in the MS group were significantly lower than those in the Con group except for PNDs 38 and 39 (P < 0.05). Active exploratory behavior in the MS group was significantly higher than that in the Con group on PNDs 7 and 8, and PNDs 21 and 22 (P < 0.05). The frequency of belly-nosing behavior was significantly higher in the MS group than that in the Con group except for PNDs 64 and 65 (P < 0.05). Compared with the Con group, epinephrine, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations on PNDs 35, 38, and 65 were significantly increased in the MS group (P < 0.01), while IL-4 concentration was significantly decreased (PND 35: P < 0.05; PNDs 38 and 65: P < 0.01). Compared with the Con group, the piglet diarrhea rate in the MS group during suckling was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the weaning weight was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and it had no significant effect on the body weight at the end of the trial (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the early intermittent NMS created stress and affected the growth performance of piglets during suckling. However, the growth rate was improved by compensatory measures during late weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Si-Tong Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Hong Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Qin Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Yue Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Bo Ji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Gui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Swine Facilities Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
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Social isolation does not alter the relationship between flexibility in metabolic rate and growth in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under changing food availability. J Comp Physiol B 2023; 193:95-108. [PMID: 36355208 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-022-01467-0] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Growth and energy metabolism are highly flexible in fish species in response to food availability, and these two traits depend to some extent on the social rearing environment (e.g., isolated vs. group rearing). Currently, how social rearing environments influence flexibility in metabolic rate of fish and their ecological consequences (e.g., somatic growth) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated how social isolation (i.e., group-reared vs. isolation-reared) and food availability (i.e., high vs. low) affect metabolic rates, growth and their correlations in a group-living fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), which were subjected to a 4-week growth experiment. The metabolic rates (e.g., standard metabolic rate, SMR; maximum metabolic rate, MMR; aerobic scope, AS = MMR-SMR) and morphology (e.g., body mass and length) of the fish in four treatments were measured at the beginning and end of the growth experiment, and then the growth parameters (e.g., food intake, FI; feeding efficiency, FE; and specific growth rate, SGR) were also obtained. We found that social isolation did impair growth of fish with individuals showing a lower SGR compared to those group-reared fish irrespective of food availability. However, the growth advantage of group-reared fish under two food availabilities did not result from their FIs or FEs. Metabolic rates (i.e., SMR) seemed to decrease in response to social isolation, but increased greater when fish were reared at high food ration. These shifts in metabolic rates were positively linked with individual differences in somatic growth; individuals who increased metabolic rates more grew faster, while those who increased their metabolic rates less or even reduced had a lower growth, but these links were independent on both social isolation and food ration. These results suggested that social isolation can inhibit the growth of individual fish, but not the AS. Flexibility in metabolic rates could confer a growth advantage under changing food availability, but the links between variation in energy metabolism and growth were not altered by social deprivation. Our study demonstrates the importance of metabolic plasticity accounting for inter-individual difference in growth performance under the challenges of changing food resource.
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Gimsa U, Brückmann R, Tuchscherer A, Tuchscherer M, Kanitz E. Early-life maternal deprivation affects the mother-offspring relationship in domestic pigs, as well as the neuroendocrine development and coping behavior of piglets. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:980350. [PMID: 36275850 PMCID: PMC9582528 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.980350] [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: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity may have programming effects on the psychological and physiological development of offspring. Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) are an excellent model species for studying these effects because of their many physiological similarities to humans. Piglets from 10 sows were subjected to daily 2-h maternal deprivation on postnatal days (PND) 2–15 alone (DA) or in a group of littermates (DG). Control piglets (C) from 10 sows stayed with their mothers. Mother-offspring interaction, milk oxytocin, and cortisol were analyzed. An open-field/novel-object (OF/NO) test was performed with piglets on PNDs 16 and 40. Plasma cortisol and immune parameters were determined on PND 5 and 16. Two piglets from each group and sow were sacrificed on PND 20 and stress-related gene expression in the limbic system and prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as splenic lymphocyte proliferative abilities, were examined. The milk cortisol of sows increased during the first separation of mother and offspring on the second day of lactation, whereas milk oxytocin did not change. The increase in cortisol by the OF/NO test on PND 16 was greater in C piglets than in DA and DG ones. DA piglets showed less agitated behavior than DG and C piglets in the OF/NO test at PND 16, but appeared more fearful. On PND 40, DA piglets showed more arousal than DG and C piglets in the OF/NO test. Neither plasma IgA nor N/L ratios in blood nor mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen lymphocytes were affected by deprivation. We found a higher mRNA expression of CRHR1 in the hypothalamus and a higher expression of MR in the hippocampus in DA piglets than in DG ones. The expression of GR, MR, and CRHR1 genes in the PFC was reduced by maternal deprivation, however, the expression of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin receptors was not affected. Repeated maternal deprivation induces sustained effects on stress reactivity and behavior of domestic piglets. Some of these effects were buffered by the presence of littermates. In addition, we found sex-specific differences in behavior and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Gimsa
- Psychophysiology Group, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ulrike Gimsa,
| | - Roberto Brückmann
- Psychophysiology Group, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
- EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Service Group Statistical Consulting, Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Margret Tuchscherer
- Psychophysiology Group, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Psychophysiology Group, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
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Barata L, de Hoz-Rivera M, Romero A, Martínez M, Silva L, Villa M, Campa L, Jiménez-Sánchez L, Martínez-Orgado J. Role of 5HT1A Receptors in the Neuroprotective and Behavioral Effects of Cannabidiol in Hypoxic–Ischemic Newborn Piglets. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:925740. [PMID: 35924056 PMCID: PMC9341521 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.925740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hypoxic–ischemic (HI) insults have important deleterious consequences in newborns, including short-term morbidity with neuromotor and cognitive disturbances. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated robust neuroprotective effects and shows anxiolytic/antidepressant effects as well. These effects are thought to be related to serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (5HT1AR) activation. We hereby aimed to study the role of 5HT1AR in the neuroprotective and behavioral effects of CBD in HI newborn piglets. Methods: 1-day-old piglets submitted to 30 min of hypoxia (FiO2 10%) and bilateral carotid occlusion were then treated daily with vehicle, CBD 1 mg/kg, or CBD with the 5HT1AR antagonist WAY 100635 1 mg/kg 72 h post-HI piglets were studied using amplitude-integrated EEG to detect seizures and a neurobehavioral test to detect neuromotor impairments. In addition, behavioral performance including social interaction, playful activity, hyperlocomotion, and motionless periods was assessed. Then, brain damage was assessed using histology (Nissl and TUNEL staining) and biochemistry (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Results: HI led to brain damage as assessed by histologic and biochemistry studies, associated with neuromotor impairment and increased seizures. These effects were not observed in HI piglets treated with CBD. These beneficial effects of CBD were not reversed by the 5HT1AR antagonist, which is in contrast with previous studies demonstrating that 5HT1AR antagonists eliminated CBD neuroprotection as assessed 6 h after HI in piglets. HI led to mood disturbances, with decreased social interaction and playfulness and increased hyperlocomotion. Mood disturbances were not observed in piglets treated with CBD, but in this case, coadministration of the 5HT1AR antagonist eliminates the beneficial effects of CBD. Conclusion: CBD prevented HI-induced mood disturbances in newborn piglets by acting on 5HT1AR. However, 5HT1AR activation seems to be necessary for CBD neuroprotection only in the first hours after HI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Barata
- Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
| | - María de Hoz-Rivera
- Fundación para La Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Romero
- Fundación para La Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Martínez
- Fundación para La Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Silva
- Fundación para La Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Villa
- Fundación para La Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Leticia Campa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Institut d'Investigacions August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Jiménez-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Instituto de Biotecnoloía, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de, Granada, Spain
| | - José Martínez-Orgado
- Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: José Martínez-Orgado,
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Sánchez J, Matas M, Ibáñez-López FJ, Hernández I, Sotillo J, Gutiérrez AM. The Connection Between Stress and Immune Status in Pigs: A First Salivary Analytical Panel for Disease Differentiation. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:881435. [PMID: 35782547 PMCID: PMC9244398 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.881435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper analyzes the association between stress and immune response activations in different diseases, based on the salivary analytics. Moreover, a first attempt to discriminate between diseases was performed by principal component analysis. The salivary analytics consisted of the measurement of psychosocial stress (cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase) indicators, innate (acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein and haptoglobin), and adaptive immune (adenosine deaminase, Cu and Zn) markers and oxidative stress parameters (antioxidant capacity and oxidative status). A total of 107 commercial growing pigs in the field were divided into six groups according to the signs of disease after proper veterinary clinical examination, especially, healthy pigs, pigs with rectal prolapse, tail-biting lesions, diarrhea, lameness, or dyspnea. Associations between stress and immune markers were observed with different intensities. High associations (r = 0.61) were observed between oxidative stress markers and adaptive immune markers. On the other hand, moderate associations (r = 0.31–0.48) between psychosocial stress markers with both innate and adaptive immune markers were observed. All pathological conditions showed statistically significant differences in at least 4 out of the 11 salivary markers studied, with no individual marker dysregulated in all the diseases. Moreover, each disease condition showed differences in the degree of activation of the analyzed systems which could be used to create different salivary profiles. A total of two dimensions were selected through the principal component analysis to explain the 48.3% of the variance of our data. Lameness and rectal prolapse were the two pathological conditions most distant from the healthy condition followed by dyspnea. Tail-biting lesions and diarrhea were also far from the other diseases but near to healthy animals. There is still room for improvements, but these preliminary results displayed a great potential for disease detection and characterization using salivary biomarkers profiling in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Sánchez
- BioVetMed Research Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Cefu SA, Murcia, Spain
| | - M. Matas
- BioVetMed Research Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - F. J. Ibáñez-López
- Statistical Support Service (SAE), Scientific and Technological Research Area (ACTI), CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - I. Hernández
- Statistical Support Service (SAE), Scientific and Technological Research Area (ACTI), CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - J. Sotillo
- BioVetMed Research Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - A. M. Gutiérrez
- BioVetMed Research Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- *Correspondence: A. M. Gutiérrez
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12
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Parois SP, Van Der Zande LE, Knol EF, Kemp B, Rodenburg TB, Bolhuis JE. Effects of a Multi-Suckling System Combined With Enriched Housing Post-Weaning on Response and Cognitive Resilience to Isolation. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:868149. [PMID: 35478601 PMCID: PMC9035994 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.868149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving welfare is still a critical issue in pig husbandry. Upgrades of the housing environment seem to be a promising solution to optimise resilience as a whole, and therefore improve animal welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an alternative housing system to enhance cognitive resilience and also to promote the pigs' welfare. A total of 96 piglets from two contrasted housing systems [alternative housing system (AHS) vs. conventional system (CONV)] was used. The major upgrades of the alternative system were multi-litter housing during lactation, delayed weaning, extra space allowance, and environmental enrichment from birth onwards. To estimate welfare, weight, and feed intake (as a general indicator of performances), the tear staining area (as a chronic stress indicator), behavioural postures, heart rate traits, and saliva cortisol concentration were measured over a 21 h-isolation. To assess cognitive resilience, the pigs were subjected to a maze with a social reward both before and after the isolation challenge and indicators of cognitive abilities were followed. The AHS pigs showed lower cortisol levels and tear staining area before the challenge, demonstrating overall better welfare due to the alternative housing conditions. During the challenge, AHS pigs had a lower heart rate, higher heart rate variability, and higher vagal activity than the CONV pigs, which might indicate a reduced sensitivity to the stressor. AHS pigs appeared to have a better long-term memory tested in a maze. Providing social and environmental enrichments, that fit the satisfaction of the essential needs of the pigs better, appears to be beneficial for pig welfare as a whole. Its effects on cognitive resilience still need to be proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severine P. Parois
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Epidemiology Health and Welfare Research Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France
- *Correspondence: Severine P. Parois
| | | | | | - Bas Kemp
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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13
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Cross-fostering alters the post-weaning pig behavioral stress response in a sex-specific manner. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Effects of group size on the behaviour, heart rate, immunity, and growth of Holstein dairy calves. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Reiner G, Kuehling J, Loewenstein F, Lechner M, Becker S. Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1670. [PMID: 34205208 PMCID: PMC8228460 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tail biting is a prevalent and undesirable behaviour in pigs and a major source of significant reduction in well-being. However, focusing on biting considers only one part of the solution, because tail damage can be found with a high prevalence without any action by other pigs. The lesions are not limited to the tail but can also be found in the ears, heels, soles, claw coronary bands, teats, navel, vulva, and face. Environmental improvement alone often fails to overcome the problem. This review addresses a new inflammation and necrosis syndrome in swine (SINS). It shows the clinical signs and the frequencies of occurrence in different age groups. It compiles scientific evidence from clinical and histopathological studies in newborn piglets that argue for a primary endogenous aetiology of the disease. Bringing together the findings of a broad body of research, the possible mechanisms leading to the disease are identified and then discussed. This part will especially focus on microbe-associated molecular patterns in the circulation and their role in activating defence mechanisms and inflammation. Finally, the methods are identified to ameliorate the problem by optimizing husbandry and selecting a suitable breeding stock.
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Grants
- 123 Tönnies Forschung, Rheda, Germany
- 456 Ministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, Hessen, Germa-ny
- 789 Ministerium für Umwelt, Klima, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Reiner
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Clinic for Swine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 112, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Josef Kuehling
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Clinic for Swine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 112, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.K.); (S.B.)
| | | | | | - Sabrina Becker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Clinic for Swine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 112, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.K.); (S.B.)
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16
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Ji W, Bi Y, Cheng Z, Liu R, Zhang X, Shu Y, Li X, Bao J, Liu H. Impact of early socialization environment on social behavior, physiology and growth performance of weaned piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Scharf I, Stoldt M, Libbrecht R, Höpfner AL, Jongepier E, Kever M, Foitzik S. Social isolation causes downregulation of immune and stress response genes and behavioural changes in a social insect. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2378-2389. [PMID: 33772940 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Humans and other social mammals experience isolation from their group as stressful, triggering behavioural and physiological anomalies that reduce fitness. While social isolation has been intensely studied in social mammals, it is less clear how social insects, which evolved sociality independently, respond to isolation. Here we examined whether the typical mammalian responses to social isolation, e.g., an impaired ability to interact socially and immune suppression are also found in social insects. We studied the consequences of social isolation on behaviour and brain gene expression in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi. Following isolation, workers interacted moderately less with adult nestmates, increased the duration of brood contact, and reduced the time spent self-grooming, an important sanitary behaviour. Our brain transcriptome analysis revealed that only a few behaviour-related genes had altered their expression with isolation time. Rather, many genes linked to immune system functioning and stress response had been downregulated. This probably sensitizes isolated individuals to various stressors, in particular because isolated workers exhibit reduced sanitary behaviour. We provide evidence of the diverse consequences of social isolation in social insects, some of which resemble those found in social mammals, suggesting a general link between social well-being, stress tolerance, and immune competence in social animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inon Scharf
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marah Stoldt
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Romain Libbrecht
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Höpfner
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Evelien Jongepier
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marion Kever
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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18
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Fil JE, Joung S, Hayes CA, Dilger RN. Influence of Rearing Environment on Longitudinal Brain Development, Object Recognition Memory, and Exploratory Behaviors in the Domestic Pig ( Sus scrofa). Front Neurosci 2021; 15:649536. [PMID: 33841090 PMCID: PMC8024486 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.649536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Over the last 40 years, the domestic pig has emerged as a prominent preclinical model as this species shares similarities with humans with regard to immunity, gastrointestinal physiology, and neurodevelopment. Artificial rearing of pigs provides a number of advantages over conventional rearing (i.e., true maternal care), including careful control of nutrient intake and environment conditions. Yet there remains a gap in knowledge when comparing brain development between sow-reared and artificially reared domestic pigs. Thus, our research sought to model brain development and assess recognition memory in a longitudinal manner by directly comparing rearing environments. Methods Forty-four intact (i.e., not castrated) male pigs were artificially reared or sow-reared from postnatal day 2 until postnatal week 4. After postnatal week 4, all pigs were housed in a group setting within the same environment until postnatal week 24. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on pigs at 8 longitudinal time-points to model developmental trajectories of brain macrostructural and microstructural outcomes. Additionally, pigs behavior were tested using the novel object recognition task at postnatal weeks 4 and 8. Results Throughout the 24-week study, no differences between rearing groups were noted in weekly body weights, average growth and feed intake patterns, or feed efficiency. Whole brain, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid growth patterns also did not differ between pigs assigned to different early-life rearing environments. Moreover, minimal differences in regional absolute volumes and fractional anisotropy developmental trajectories were identified, though artificially reared pigs exhibited higher initial rates of myelination in multiple brain regions compared with sow-reared pigs. Furthermore, behavioral assessment at both PNW 4 and 8 suggested little influence of rearing environment on recognition memory, however, an age-dependent increase in object recognition memory was observed in the sow-reared group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that early-life rearing environment influences the rate of development in some brain regions but has little influence on overall brain growth and object recognition memory and exploratory behaviors in the domestic pig. Artificial rearing may promote maturation in certain brain areas but does not appear to elicit long-term effects in outcomes including brain structure or object recognition memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne E Fil
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Sangyun Joung
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Courtney A Hayes
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Ryan N Dilger
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States.,Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States.,Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
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19
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Shannon J, Peters K, Blythe S. The Challenges to Promoting Attachment for Hospitalised Infants with NAS. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020167. [PMID: 33671576 PMCID: PMC7926699 DOI: 10.3390/children8020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The postnatal period is crucial for infants in establishing a connection with and security in primary caregivers and can have enduring effects on attachment patterns. However, due to the need for symptom management, many infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) may be separated from primary caregivers and cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery (SCN) soon after birth. Research has shown that substance-exposed infants are more likely to experience insecure attachment patterns with their primary caregivers and that mothers with a history of substance abuse are less sensitive to their infants’ cues. Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore nurses’ and midwives’ experiences in promoting the attachment relationship for infants admitted to an NICU/SCN with NAS. A qualitative research design was used to gather data on the experiences of nine nurses/midwives from various NICU and SCN settings in Australia. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and transcribed interviews were coded using thematic analysis. While nurses/midwives valued the attachment relationship for infants with NAS, facilitation of the attachment relationship was mainly promoted when the mother was present. However, parents were often reported to be absent from the nursery. Difficulties in promoting an attachment relationship were also identified when an infant had child protection involvement. This research identifies areas in need of innovative change regarding the approach taken to promote the attachment relationship for infants with NAS when they are admitted to an NICU/SCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaylene Shannon
- Generalist Community Nursing, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Wauchope 2446, Australia;
| | - Kath Peters
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith 2750, Australia;
| | - Stacy Blythe
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith 2750, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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20
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Omics Insights into Animal Resilience and Stress Factors. Animals (Basel) 2020; 11:ani11010047. [PMID: 33383711 PMCID: PMC7824193 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilience is conceived as a dynamic developmental process involving the achievement of positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity. Resilience is not a unique ability but rather a set of capacities of a system put in place to absorb a disturbance and to reorganize while trying to retain the same function, structure, and identity. This review describes the characteristics and the molecular mechanisms of resilience to understand the core elements of resilience and its indicators. The objectives of this review are: (1) to define some of the leading environmental stressors and clarify the mechanism of vulnerability or resilience outcomes; (2) to clarify some of the prominent epigenetic modulations mediating resilience or vulnerability as a stress response; (3) to highlight the neural mechanisms related to stress resilience since the central nervous system is a highly dynamic structure characterized by an everlasting plasticity feature, which therefore has the opportunity to modify resilience. The review aims to introduce the reader to the concept of resilience seen as an ability acquired in life and not only inherited from birth.
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21
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Snoj T, Blažič K, Šehić N, Vake T, Majdič G. Calves' management conditions affect sperm count in adult bulls. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:65. [PMID: 33239077 PMCID: PMC7690124 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00563-x] [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: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early maternal separation may have long-lasting physiological effects on different organ systems. Although long-lasting effects of early maternal separation are mostly studied in connection with the development and function of the central nervous system hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, animal health, behaviour and productivity, there is a lack of information about its impacts on the reproductive system. In the dairy industry, calves are often separated from mothers 1 or 2 days after birth and are not nursed. In the present retrospective study based on data from an artificial insemination (AI) centre, we compared semen parameters and fertility in bulls that were separated from their mothers one day after birth with the semen parameters of bulls that remained with their mothers and were nursed for approximately 2 months. Semen parameters were followed in 3 consecutive years in 52 maternally separated and 22 nursed bulls. Results Ejaculate volume and total sperm count in ejaculate were significantly higher in nursed bulls in comparison to maternally separated bulls at the age 25–36 and 37–48 months, but interestingly, not at the age 12–24 months, during the first year in the AI centre. Non-return rates did not differ between separated and nursed bulls. Conclusion The results suggest that early maternal separation causes long-lasting effects on the functioning of the male reproductive system, evident by reduced production of semen in adult bulls. The data suggest that with a standard of 20 million sperms per straw of frozen semen, 27–78 fewer straws can be obtained from one ejaculate of maternally separated bulls in comparison to the nursed bulls.
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22
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Nordgreen J, Edwards SA, Boyle LA, Bolhuis JE, Veit C, Sayyari A, Marin DE, Dimitrov I, Janczak AM, Valros A. A Proposed Role for Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Damaging Behavior in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:646. [PMID: 33134341 PMCID: PMC7562715 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickness can change our mood for the worse, leaving us sad, lethargic, grumpy and less socially inclined. This mood change is part of a set of behavioral symptoms called sickness behavior and has features in common with core symptoms of depression. Therefore, the physiological changes induced by immune activation, for example following infection, are in the spotlight for explaining mechanisms behind mental health challenges such as depression. While humans may take a day off and isolate themselves until they feel better, farm animals housed in groups have only limited possibilities for social withdrawal. We suggest that immune activation could be a major factor influencing social interactions in pigs, with outbreaks of damaging behavior such as tail biting as a possible result. The hypothesis presented here is that the effects of several known risk factors for tail biting are mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins produced by the immune system, and their effect on neurotransmitter systems. We describe the background for and implications of this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janicke Nordgreen
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sandra A. Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Christina Veit
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amin Sayyari
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniela E. Marin
- National Institute for Research and Development for Biology and Animal Nutrition, Balotesti, Romania
| | | | - Andrew M. Janczak
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Valros
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Brückmann R, Tuchscherer M, Tuchscherer A, Gimsa U, Kanitz E. Early-Life Maternal Deprivation Predicts Stronger Sickness Behaviour and Reduced Immune Responses to Acute Endotoxaemia in a Pig Model. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155212. [PMID: 32717860 PMCID: PMC7432595 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity may have programming effects on neuroendocrine and immune adaptation mechanisms in humans and socially living animals. Using a pig model, we investigated the effect of daily 2-h maternal and littermate deprivation from postnatal days 2–15, either alone (DA) or in a group of littermates (DG) on the neuroendocrine, immunological and behavioural responses of piglets challenged with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 42. LPS increased plasma concentrations of cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and induced typical signs of sickness in all piglets. DA+DG piglets showed stronger signs of sickness compared to control (C) piglets. Plasma TNF-α concentrations were significantly lower in DA+DG males. In addition, the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was significantly lower in DA than in DG and C males. Gene expression analyses showed lower hypothalamic TNF-α mRNA expression and diminished mRNA expression of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and IL-10 in the amygdala of DA+DG piglets in response to LPS. Interestingly, males showed a higher MR- and a lower IL-10 mRNA expression in the amygdala than females. The present data suggest that repeated maternal deprivation during early life may alter neuroendocrine and immune responses to acute endotoxaemia in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Brückmann
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Margret Tuchscherer
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany;
| | - Ulrike Gimsa
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (R.B.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: (U.G.); (E.K.); Tel.: +49-38208-68-803 (U.G.); +49-38208-68-807 (E.K.)
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (R.B.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: (U.G.); (E.K.); Tel.: +49-38208-68-803 (U.G.); +49-38208-68-807 (E.K.)
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24
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Lemos Teixeira D, Lykke L, Boyle L. The Effect of a Novel Transport System on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Slaughter Pigs. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2020; 24:260-271. [PMID: 32686535 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2020.1790370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to investigate the impact of the TRANSUS box (modularized box) on pig welfare and meat quality. 20 groups of 12 slaughter pigs were tested over 5 days. Pigs were assigned to one of the two transportation treatments: TRANSUS box or conventional lorry. Pigs were loaded into the TRANSUS box at ground level and then the box was lifted by acrane onto the back of the flat deck truck. Total loading and unloading times for TRANSUS box were longer than for the conventional lorry but behaviors recorded during loading and unloading and the transport, skin temperature, total skin lesion scores, blood temperature, carcass, and meat quality were not affected by treatment. The results show that there was no beneficial impact on pig welfare or meat quality of transporting in the TRANSUS box compared to conventional methods. Nevertheless, refinements to the design and in the methods used to load/unload the containers could help to realize the potential for use of containers such as the TRANSUS box in the transportation of pigs to slaughter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Lemos Teixeira
- Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, TEAGASC, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.,Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Leif Lykke
- Danish Meat Research Institute, Danish Technological Institute, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Laura Boyle
- Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, TEAGASC, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
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25
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Kaiser EE, Waters ES, Fagan MM, Scheulin KM, Platt SR, Jeon JH, Fang X, Kinder HA, Shin SK, Duberstein KJ, Park HJ, West FD. Characterization of tissue and functional deficits in a clinically translational pig model of acute ischemic stroke. Brain Res 2020; 1736:146778. [PMID: 32194080 PMCID: PMC10671789 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The acute stroke phase is a critical time frame used to evaluate stroke severity, therapeutic options, and prognosis while also serving as a major tool for the development of diagnostics. To further understand stroke pathophysiology and to enhance the development of treatments, our group developed a translational pig ischemic stroke model. In this study, the evolution of acute ischemic tissue damage, immune responses, and functional deficits were further characterized. Stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in Landrace pigs. At 24 h post-stroke, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a decrease in ipsilateral diffusivity, an increase in hemispheric swelling resulting in notable midline shift, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke negatively impacted white matter integrity with decreased fractional anisotropy values in the internal capsule. Like patients, pigs showed a reduction in circulating lymphocytes and a surge in neutrophils and band cells. Functional responses corresponded with structural changes through reductions in open field exploration and impairments in spatiotemporal gait parameters. Characterization of acute ischemic stroke in pigs provided important insights into tissue and functional-level assessments that could be used to identify potential biomarkers and improve preclinical testing of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Kaiser
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Elizabeth S Waters
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Madison M Fagan
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kelly M Scheulin
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Simon R Platt
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Julie H Jeon
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Xi Fang
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Holly A Kinder
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Soo K Shin
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Toxicology Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kylee J Duberstein
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Hea J Park
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Franklin D West
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
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Reiske L, Schmucker S, Pfaffinger B, Weiler U, Steuber J, Stefanski V. Intravenous Infusion of Cortisol, Adrenaline, or Noradrenaline Alters Porcine Immune Cell Numbers and Promotes Innate over Adaptive Immune Functionality. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:3205-3216. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Agrawal P, Kao D, Chung P, Looger LL. The neuropeptide Drosulfakinin regulates social isolation-induced aggression in Drosophila. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb207407. [PMID: 31900346 PMCID: PMC7033730 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.207407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation strongly modulates behavior across the animal kingdom. We utilized the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to study social isolation-driven changes in animal behavior and gene expression in the brain. RNA-seq identified several head-expressed genes strongly responding to social isolation or enrichment. Of particular interest, social isolation downregulated expression of the gene encoding the neuropeptide Drosulfakinin (Dsk), the homologue of vertebrate cholecystokinin (CCK), which is critical for many mammalian social behaviors. Dsk knockdown significantly increased social isolation-induced aggression. Genetic activation or silencing of Dsk neurons each similarly increased isolation-driven aggression. Our results suggest a U-shaped dependence of social isolation-induced aggressive behavior on Dsk signaling, similar to the actions of many neuromodulators in other contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Agrawal
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Damian Kao
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Phuong Chung
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Loren L Looger
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
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Tallet C, Rakotomahandry M, Herlemont S, Prunier A. Evidence of Pain, Stress, and Fear of Humans During Tail Docking and the Next Four Weeks in Piglets ( Sus scrofa domesticus). Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:462. [PMID: 31921919 PMCID: PMC6917581 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail docking is widely performed in pig farms to prevent tail biting. We investigated the consequences of this practice on behavioral indicators of pain and stress, and on the human-piglet relationship during lactation. Within 19 litters, piglets (1–3 days of age) were submitted on day 0 (D0) to docking with a cautery iron (D), sham-docking (S), or no docking (U). Piglets from the D and S groups were observed during the procedure (body movements and vocalizations) and just after, in isolation, during 20 s for body, tail and ear postures as well as ear movements. Piglets from the three treatments were observed in their home pen after docking on D0 and D3 afternoon for body posture, tail posture and movements. Piglets from the D and U groups were observed on D6, D12, D19, and D26 in their home pen for oral behavior, body, and tail posture. Tail damage and tear staining were scored on D5, D11, D18, and D25. A 5-min motionless human test was performed on D14. During the procedure, D piglets screamed more and with a higher intensity (P < 0.05) than S piglets (n = 48–50). Just after docking, D piglets held their ears in a posture perpendicular to the head-tail axis and changed their ear posture more often (P < 0.05). Between D6 and D26, D piglets kept their tail immobile (P < 0.001) and in a horizontal position (P < 0.01) more often than U piglets (n = 45–47). Between D11 and D25, U piglets had higher scores for tail damage and damage freshness than D piglets (0.09 < P < 0.02) whereas tear-stain score was similar. In the human test, D piglets interacted later with an unfamiliar human than U piglets (P = 0.01, n = 18/group). Present data indicate signs of acute pain and stress in piglets due to docking during the procedure itself and adverse consequences throughout lactation thereafter, including on their relationship with humans. On the other hand, the presence of tail lesions shows that undocked piglets are subject to more tail biting, even before weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Tallet
- PEGASE, INRA, AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Saint Gilles, France
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29
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Robinson KJ, Bosch OJ, Levkowitz G, Busch KE, Jarman AP, Ludwig M. Social creatures: Model animal systems for studying the neuroendocrine mechanisms of social behaviour. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12807. [PMID: 31679160 PMCID: PMC6916380 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of animals with conspecifics, termed social behaviour, has a major impact on the survival of many vertebrate species. Neuropeptide hormones modulate the underlying physiology that governs social interactions, and many findings concerning the neuroendocrine mechanisms of social behaviours have been extrapolated from animal models to humans. Neurones expressing neuropeptides show similar distribution patterns within the hypothalamic nucleus, even when evolutionarily distant species are compared. During evolution, hypothalamic neuropeptides and releasing hormones have retained not only their structures, but also their biological functions, including their effects on behaviour. Here, we review the current understanding of the mechanisms of social behaviours in several classes of animals, such as worms, insects and fish, as well as laboratory, wild and domesticated mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J. Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Oliver J. Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular NeurobiologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Gil Levkowitz
- Department of Molecular Cell BiologyWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | | | - Andrew P. Jarman
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Mike Ludwig
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Centre for NeuroendocrinologyDepartment of ImmunologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
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Glucocorticoids and Catecholamines Affect in Vitro Functionality of Porcine Blood Immune Cells. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9080545. [PMID: 31408932 PMCID: PMC6720833 DOI: 10.3390/ani9080545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In modern livestock husbandry, animals may face stressful events like weaning, regrouping, or transportation, all of which can impair animal welfare and health. Research in model organisms has revealed that stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids and catecholamines, strongly modulate the immune system and thus the animals’ ability to fight infections. In the pig, knowledge about this relationship is rare, and results from rodents cannot readily be transferred due to some physiological differences. Therefore, the effects of glucocorticoids and catecholamines on porcine immune cell proliferation and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα were investigated in an in vitro study. Blood was obtained from catheterized pigs to exclude pre-exposure to stress hormones. Glucocorticoids exerted inhibitory effects on both investigated immune functions. Catecholamines, on the other hand, showed diverse effects on lymphocyte proliferation and TNFα production of particular immune cell types. This suggests that studies from model species are not entirely transferrable to pigs. Future research should extend the preliminary findings on cytokine production and focus on the molecular mechanisms and health impacts of stress hormones in pigs. Abstract Stress hormones exert important modulating influences on the functionality of immune cells. Despite its major role as a livestock animal and its increasing use as an animal model, knowledge about this relationship in the domestic pig is rare. This study therefore aimed to characterize the effect of glucocorticoids and catecholamines on the proliferation and cytokine production of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Blood was obtained from donor pigs equipped with indwelling catheters to exclude stress hormone exposition before in vitro testing. PBMC were stimulated in the presence of cortisol, adrenaline or noradrenaline at concentrations resembling low to high stress conditions. Proliferation was determined via 3H-thymidine incorporation, and TNFα producers were quantified by intracellular cytokine staining. Cortisol led to a decrease in mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and the number of TNFα producing cells. In contrast, catecholamines increased proliferation while exerting repressive or no effects on the number of cytokine producers. Remarkably, in concentrations presumably found in lymphatic tissue in stress situations, noradrenaline suppressed lymphocyte proliferation completely. The shown repressive effects might especially have implications on health and welfare in pigs. The obtained results provide a preliminary database for extended studies on the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid and catecholamine actions on porcine immune cells.
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Kanitz E, Tuchscherer M, Otten W, Tuchscherer A, Zebunke M, Puppe B. Coping Style of Pigs Is Associated With Different Behavioral, Neurobiological and Immune Responses to Stressful Challenges. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:173. [PMID: 31417378 PMCID: PMC6686684 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the animal’s reaction to environmental challenges, consistent but different coping styles can be identified, which in turn may have consequences for health and welfare. Therefore, profound knowledge of the complex interrelationships between individual behavioral response patterns, underlying neurobiological mechanisms and immunological effects is required. The aim of this study was to examine whether pigs with different coping styles exhibit distinct behavioral, neurobiological and immune responses to stressful situations. Therefore, pigs (n = 40) were classified as proactive, reactive or intermediate animals according to a repeatedly-performed backtest, and behavioral, neuroendocrine and immune alterations were analyzed without any stress before weaning on day 28 and after a stress treatment on day 32. Our results show that the behavioral responses in an open-field/novel-object test characterized proactive pigs as more active. There were no significant differences in adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol concentrations between pigs with different coping characteristics. However, we found that proactive pigs displayed significantly increased plasma noradrenaline levels in response to stress, which may reflect a higher sympathetic reactivity of these animals. Furthermore, the present study revealed coping style differences in mRNA expression of mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin receptors and the immediate early gene c-fos in stress-related brain regions. While proactive pigs responded to stress with higher mRNA expression of arginine vasopressin, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, reactive pigs displayed higher oxytocin receptor and c-fos mRNA expression, indicating different neurobiological mechanisms of distinct coping styles in response to stressful challenges. Moreover, we also found humoral immune differences between proactive, intermediate and reactive animals. Proactive pigs had a higher total serum IgA concentration before and after stress treatment, with a significant increase in response to stress compared to reactive and intermediate pigs. In contrast, stress-induced IgM concentrations only increased in reactive and intermediate animals, suggesting that the effects of coping style on humoral immunity may differ depending on the specific function of the immunoglobulin classes. In conclusion, this multidisciplinary study expands the concept of coping style in farm animals, particularly in terms of individual stress reactivity and disease susceptibility, and thus contributes to the understanding of the biology of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Kanitz
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Margret Tuchscherer
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Winfried Otten
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Manuela Zebunke
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.,Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Dietary Biotechnological Ajuga reptans Extract in Post Weaning Piglets: Effects on Growth Performance, Oxidative Status and Immune Parameters. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2019-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The effect of dietary supplementation with a biotechnological extract of Ajuga reptans on growth performance, oxidative status and immune parameters was evaluated in post weaning piglets. At weaning, 120 piglets with an average live weight of 8.1±1.3 kg, were assigned to one of three experimental groups. The first group was fed a control diet (C). The second and third groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 5 mg (T1) and 10 mg (T2) of teupolioside/kg feed from a biotechnological plant extract. Growth performances were recorded and blood samples were collected at the beginning, at 14 days, and at the end of the trial (56 days). Serum biochemical parameters, oxidative status and immunoglobulin titres were determined. Average daily gain tended to be higher (P=0.057) and live weight was higher in piglets (P<0.05) fed with different amounts of plant extract (T1 and T2) than the controls. The production of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) was higher (P<0.05) in the control group than in the groups receiving teupolioside (T1 and T2). Concentration of serum immunoglobulin of class G improved (P<0.001) in piglets fed the T1 and T2 diets than the controls. Overall, the results suggested that the biotechnological extract of Ajuga reptans containing teupolioside has an antioxidant and immunomodulant effect.
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33
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Bergman NJ. Birth practices: Maternal-neonate separation as a source of toxic stress. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:1087-1109. [PMID: 31157520 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal-neonate separation for human newborns has been the standard of care since the last century; low birth weight and preterm infants are still routinely separated from their mothers. With advanced technology, survival is good, but long-term developmental outcomes are very poor for these especially vulnerable newborns. The poor outcomes are similar to those described for adversity in childhood, ascribed to toxic stress. Toxic stress is defined as the absence of the buffering protection of adult support. Parental absence has been strictly enforced in neonatal care units for many reasons and could lead to toxic stress. The understanding of toxic stress comes from discoveries about our genome and epigenetics, the microbiome, developmental neuroscience and the brain connectome, and life history theory. The common factor is the early environment that gives (a) signals to epigenes, (b) sensory inputs to neural circuits, and (c) experiences for reproductive fitness. For human newborns that environment is direct skin-to-skin contact from birth. Highly conserved neuroendocrine behaviors determined by environment are described in this review. The scientific rationale underlying skin-to-skin contact is presented: autonomic development and regulation of the physiology leads to emotional connection and achieving resilience. Maternal-neonate separation prevents these critical neural processes from taking place, but also channel development into an alternative developmental strategy. This enables better coping in a stressful environment in the short term, but with permanently elevated stress systems that negatively impact mental and physical health in the long term. This may explain the increasing incidence of developmental problems in childhood, and also Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Arguments are presented that maternal-neonate separation is indeed a source of toxic stress, and some suggestions are offered toward a "zero separation" paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils J Bergman
- Department of Neonatology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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El-Kholy K, Tag El-Dee H, Abd-El-Lat A, Mekaouy AI. Effects of Dietary Selenium Sources on Metabolic, Enzymatic and Immunoglobulin Serum Profiles in Growing Rabbits. PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION 2019; 18:430-436. [DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2019.430.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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Patoka J, Kalous L, Bartoš L. Early ontogeny social deprivation modifies future agonistic behaviour in crayfish. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4667. [PMID: 30894643 PMCID: PMC6427012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41333-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Social deprivation early in life affects further individual development and leads to irreversible behavioural alterations later in life. Although the syndrome is well-studied in vertebrates including humans, its presence in invertebrates has been described only in eusocial insects and cockroaches. Here we show the first evidence of social deprivation in subsocial decapod crustaceans, based on analysis of video-recorded agonistic encounters of juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard). In comparison with maternally incubated juveniles, isolated crayfish had altered repertoires, numbers and frequency of agonistic interactions similar to those described in vertebrates. Our results support the view on the syndrome of social deprivation as a ubiquitous trait in species with developed maternal care across diverse taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Patoka
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha - Suchdol, 165 00, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukáš Kalous
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha - Suchdol, 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Luděk Bartoš
- Department of Ethology, Research Institute of Animal Production, Přátelství 815, Praha, 104 01, Czech Republic.,Department of Animal Science and Ethology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha - Suchdol, 165 00, Czech Republic
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Barata L, Cabañas A, Lafuente H, Vargas C, Ceprián M, Campa L, Jiménez-Sánchez L, Pazos MR, Alvarez FJ, Martínez-Orgado J. aEEG and neurologic exam findings correlate with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage severity in a piglet survival model. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:539-545. [PMID: 30675020 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0282-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newborn pigs offer theoretical advantages for studying newborn hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage because of a development and structure similar to the human brain. However, the correlation between functional features and actual HI brain damage has not been reported. METHODS Newborn pigs were examined daily for 3 days after a HI insult using amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG), and a neurobehavioral score enriched with stress and social and object interaction-driven activity evaluation. Brain damage was then assessed using histologic, immunohistochemical, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Brain concentration of several neurotransmitters was determined by HPLC. RESULTS HI insult led to aEEG amplitude decrease, muscle tone and activity impairment, eating disorders, poor environmental interaction, and increased motionless periods. Basal aEEG amplitude, muscle tone, and general behavior were the best predictive items for histological and biochemical (lactate/N-acetylaspartate ratio) brain damage. Hyperexcitable response to stress correlated inversely with brain damage. Motionless time, which correlated with brain damage severity, was inversely related to brain concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine. CONCLUSION Standard neurologic examination of brain activity and motor and behavioral performance of newborn pigs is a valuable tool to assess HI brain damage, thus offering a powerful translational model for HI brain damage pathophysiology and management studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Barata
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Cabañas
- Instituto de Investigación Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Vargas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Ceprián
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, CIBERNED, IRICYS, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leticia Campa
- CSIC-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas de Barcelona (IIBB), IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - M Ruth Pazos
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
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Shapiro ME, Shapiro HG, Ehmke EE. Behavioral responses of three lemur species to different food enrichment devices. Zoo Biol 2018; 37:146-155. [PMID: 29722911 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment is a tool used to promote the welfare and well-being of captive animals by encouraging the display of species-specific behaviors and reducing the stress or boredom induced by captive environments. Lemurs are highly endangered, yet few studies have analyzed the behavioral impacts of enrichment on captive populations. We studied the impacts of two novel enrichment devices on three lemur species (ring-tailed lemurs [Lemur catta], red-ruffed lemurs [Varecia rubra], and Coquerel's sifaka [Propithecus coquereli]) to determine both the overall and species-specific impacts of enrichment on lemur behavior. We recorded lemur behavior using the continuous sampling method to obtain behavior duration and analyzed our results using ANOVA Repeated Measures. Results showed enrichment effectiveness differed for each species and that different enrichment devices had varying impacts on lemur behavior across all species. We attributed the differences in species-specific responses to the unique locomotor patterns and methods of diet acquisition of each species, and the variances in behavioral responses across all species to the characteristics of each device. Our study highlights the importance of species-specific enrichment and encourages further research in this field in order to maximize the positive effects of enrichment, which in turn has the potential to affect the overall well-being of captive populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Shapiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Hannah G Shapiro
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Gimsa U, Tuchscherer M, Kanitz E. Psychosocial Stress and Immunity-What Can We Learn From Pig Studies? Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:64. [PMID: 29666573 PMCID: PMC5891618 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychosocial stress may impair immune functions and provoke the development of pathologies. The underlying communication between the brain and the immune system is being studied predominantly in rodents. However, pigs offer several advantages as preclinical models for humans because pigs are more similar to humans than rodents in many anatomical and physiological characteristics. Unlike in rodents, the main stress-induced glucocorticoid in humans and pigs is cortisol with a similar circadian rhythm. In this study, we summarize data on short-term and long-term effects of social stress in pigs for their immunity and neuroendocrine regulation with consequences for their health and well-being. As typical social stressors, regrouping, crowding, social isolation, and maternal deprivation have been studied. Psychosocial stress in pigs may affect various reactions of innate and adaptive immunity, such as leukocyte distribution, cytokine secretion, lymphocyte proliferation, and antibody production as well as immune responses to viral infection or vaccination. Furthermore, social stress may induce or promote gastrointestinal diseases through dysregulation of inflammatory processes. In piglets, psychosocial stress may also result in glucocorticoid resistance of lymphocytes, which has been discussed as a cause of allergic asthma in humans. Stress-related neuroendocrine alterations in the cortico-limbic structures, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus, have been demonstrated in pigs at different ages. Based on these data, we propose using pigs as models for psychosocial stress in humans to study the mechanisms of brain-to-immune and immune-to-brain communication from the systemic level down to the cellular and subcellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Gimsa
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Margret Tuchscherer
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
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Antidepressant effect of recombinant NT4-NAP/AAV on social isolated mice through intranasal route. Oncotarget 2018; 8:10103-10113. [PMID: 28052034 PMCID: PMC5354645 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to observe the depression-like behavior induced by social isolation; detect the antidepressant effect of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing NAP on social isolation mice by intranasal delivery. After construction of NT4-NAP/AAV, expression of NAP was confirmed in vitro. 3-week-old C57/BL mice were bred individually in cages as social isolation-rearing. Six weeks later, the first subset of mice underwent behavioral tests and western blot; the second was for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NT4-NAP/AAV was delivered quaque die by nasal administration for consecutive 10 days before behavioral test. Several depression-like behaviors were observed in social isolation mice, including decreased relative sucrose preference, longer immobility time in forced swimming test, lower plasma corticosterone and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus. Thus, social isolation procedure appears to be an animal model of depression with good face and construct validity. What's more, the antidepressant effect in social isolation-rearing mice was observed after intranasal administration of NT4-NAP/AAV, suggesting that this might be a promising therapeutic strategy for depressive disorder.
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Tuchscherer M, Puppe B, Tuchscherer A, Kanitz E. Psychosocial stress sensitizes neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to Escherichia coli challenge in domestic piglets. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 68:274-287. [PMID: 29102802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to psychosocial stress can have a profound impact on immune reactivity and health mediated by hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis activation. However, current knowledge regarding the mechanisms involved in cross-sensitization between stress and the immune system is limited. Here, we investigated the effects of a single social isolation followed by repeated oral Escherichia coli (E. coli) applications on cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), haptoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in the blood; on clinical signs of disease; and on mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2), TNF-α and IL-6 in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and spleen of 7-, 21- and 35-day-old piglets. Additionally, the protein levels of splenic TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed. Non-isolated, E. coli-challenged piglets served as a control. Social isolation for 4 h induced a rise in the plasma cortisol concentrations immediately after social treatment and after repeated E. coli applications in isolated compared to non-isolated piglets. The circulating TNF-α concentration was not affected by social treatment. Furthermore, previously isolated piglets showed a higher frequency of signs of disease in response to E. coli challenge than non-isolated piglets, while the haptoglobin and CRP concentrations did not significantly differ between social treatments. In the brain, 11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2 and IL-6 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and GR, and 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression in the PFC were higher in isolated, E. coli-challenged piglets than in the corresponding controls. Moreover, isolated piglets also displayed higher MR, 11β-HSD1 and IL-6 mRNA expression levels and TNF-α concentrations in the spleen. The stress-induced alterations in the hypothalamus and spleen were particularly pronounced in younger piglets. The present findings may contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay between early psychological stress and an increased risk of disease and might also have implications on aspects of the health and welfare of farm animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margret Tuchscherer
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
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Bhakta A, Gavini K, Yang E, Lyman-Henley L, Parameshwaran K. Chronic traumatic stress impairs memory in mice: Potential roles of acetylcholine, neuroinflammation and corticotropin releasing factor expression in the hippocampus. Behav Brain Res 2017; 335:32-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Bolt SL, Boyland NK, Mlynski DT, James R, Croft DP. Pair Housing of Dairy Calves and Age at Pairing: Effects on Weaning Stress, Health, Production and Social Networks. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0166926. [PMID: 28052122 PMCID: PMC5215558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The early social environment can influence the health and behaviour of animals, with effects lasting into adulthood. In Europe, around 60% of dairy calves are reared individually during their first eight weeks of life, while others may be housed in pairs or small groups. This study assessed the effects of varying degrees of social contact on weaning stress, health and production during pen rearing, and on the social networks that calves later formed when grouped. Forty female Holstein-Friesian calves were allocated to one of three treatments: individually housed (I, n = 8), pair-housed from day five (P5, n = 8 pairs), and pair-housed from day 28 (P28, n = 8 pairs). From day 48, calves were weaned by gradual reduction of milk over three days, and vocalisations were recorded as a measure of stress for three days before, during and after weaning. Health and production (growth rate and concentrate intakes) were not affected by treatment during the weaning period or over the whole study. Vocalisations were highest post-weaning, and were significantly higher in I calves than pair-reared calves. Furthermore, P28 calves vocalised significantly more than P5 calves. The social network of calves was measured for one month after all calves were grouped in a barn, using association data from spatial proximity loggers. We tested for week-week stability, social differentiation and assortment in the calf network. Additionally, we tested for treatment differences in: coefficient of variation (CV) in association strength, percentage of time spent with ex-penmate (P5 and P28 calves only) and weighted degree centrality (the sum of the strength of an individual’s associations). The network was relatively stable from weeks one to four and was significantly differentiated, with individuals assorting based on prior familiarity. P5 calves had significantly higher CV in association strength than I calves in week one (indicating more heterogeneous social associations) but there were no significant treatment differences in week four. The mean percentage of time that individuals spent with their ex-penmate after regrouping decreased from weeks 1–4, though treatment did not affect this. There were also no significant differences in weighted degree centrality between calves in each rearing treatment. These results suggest that early pair-rearing can allow calves the stress buffering benefits of social support (and that this is more effective when calves are paired earlier) without compromising health or production, and sheds light on the early development of social behaviour in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Bolt
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha K. Boyland
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Compassion in World Farming, River Court, Mill lane, Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - David T. Mlynski
- Department of Physics, Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Richard James
- Department of Physics, Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Darren P. Croft
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Kanitz E, Hameister T, Tuchscherer A, Tuchscherer M, Puppe B. Social Support Modulates Stress-Related Gene Expression in Various Brain Regions of Piglets. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:227. [PMID: 27965550 PMCID: PMC5126102 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of an affiliative conspecific may alleviate an individual’s stress response in threatening conditions. However, the mechanisms and neural circuitry underlying the process of social buffering have not yet been elucidated. Using the domestic pig as an animal model, we examined the effect of a 4-h maternal and littermate deprivation on stress hormones and on mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD) types 1 and 2 and the immediate early gene c-fos in various brain regions of 7-, 21- and 35-day old piglets. The deprivation occurred either alone or with a familiar or unfamiliar age-matched piglet. Compared to piglets deprived alone, the presence of a conspecific animal significantly reduced free plasma cortisol concentrations and altered the MR/GR balance and 11ß-HSD2 and c-fos mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala and hypothalamus, but not in the hippocampus. The alterations in brain mRNA expression were particularly found in 21- or 35-day old piglets, which may reflect the species-specific postnatal ontogeny of the investigated brain regions. The buffering effects of social support were most pronounced in the amygdala, indicating its significance both for the assessment of social conspecifics as biologically relevant stimuli and for the processing of emotional states. In conclusion, the present findings provide further evidence for the importance of the cortico-limbic network underlying the abilities of individuals to cope with social stress and strongly emphasize the benefits of social partners in livestock with respect to positive welfare and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Kanitz
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Theresa Hameister
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Margret Tuchscherer
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)Dummerstorf, Germany; Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of RostockRostock, Germany
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Intermittent Suckling in Combination with an Older Weaning Age Improves Growth, Feed Intake and Aspects of Gastrointestinal Tract Carbohydrate Absorption in Pigs after Weaning. Animals (Basel) 2016; 6:ani6110066. [PMID: 27792138 PMCID: PMC5126768 DOI: 10.3390/ani6110066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The weaning of piglets involves abrupt changes that often cause reduced production and predisposition to gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Increasing the weaning age or using gradual weaning are techniques that can improve post-weaning performance. In this study, it is shown that an older weaning age (day 35) in combination with intermittent suckling (daily separation of piglets from the sow for 8 h in the week before weaning) improved growth rate, feed intake and aspects of gastrointestinal tract carbohydrate absorption after weaning. However, intermittent suckling and weaning at 28 days did not seem to improve post-weaning performance in this study. Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that intermittent suckling (IS) with or without an older weaning age would improve post-weaning gastrointestinal tract (GIT) carbohydrate absorptive capacity in pigs while reducing post-weaning stress and aspects of the inflammatory response. Three weaning regimes using primiparous sows were compared: (1) conventional weaning (CW28) (n = 22), where piglets were weaned conventionally at day 28; (2) IS28 (n = 21), where IS started at day 21 until weaning at day 28; and (3) IS35 (n = 21), where IS started at day 28 until weaning at day 35. Sugar absorption tests (10% mannitol or 10% galactose) were used to measure GIT absorptive capacity. All measured parameters were compared in relation to weaning across treatments (i.e., different physiological ages were compared). The IS35 pigs grew fastest in the 12 days after weaning (p < 0.01) and had the highest solid feed intake before and after weaning (p < 0.05). Irrespective of treatment, pre-weaning mannitol levels were higher than post-weaning levels (p < 0.01), whereas post-weaning galactose levels were highest in IS35 pigs (p < 0.01). Cytokine data did not show any treatment effects. In conclusion, these data suggest that IS in combination with an older weaning age (day 35) improved post-weaning adaptation as evidenced by improvements in performance measures and galactose absorption. However, IS28 did not improve post-weaning performance.
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McMillan FD. The psychobiology of social pain: Evidence for a neurocognitive overlap with physical pain and welfare implications for social animals with special attention to the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Physiol Behav 2016; 167:154-171. [PMID: 27640131 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Prior H, Bottomley A, Champéroux P, Cordes J, Delpy E, Dybdal N, Edmunds N, Engwall M, Foley M, Hoffmann M, Kaiser R, Meecham K, Milano S, Milne A, Nelson R, Roche B, Valentin JP, Ward G, Chapman K. Social housing of non-rodents during cardiovascular recordings in safety pharmacology and toxicology studies. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2016; 81:75-87. [PMID: 27039257 PMCID: PMC5056765 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Safety Pharmacology Society (SPS) and National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) conducted a survey and workshop in 2015 to define current industry practices relating to housing of non-rodents during telemetry recordings in safety pharmacology and toxicology studies. The aim was to share experiences, canvas opinion on the study procedures/designs that could be used and explore the barriers to social housing. METHODS Thirty-nine sites, either running studies (Sponsors or Contract Research Organisations, CROs) and/or outsourcing work responded to the survey (51% from Europe; 41% from USA). RESULTS During safety pharmacology studies, 84, 67 and 100% of respondents socially house dogs, minipigs and non-human primates (NHPs) respectively on non-recording days. However, on recording days 20, 20 and 33% of respondents socially house the animals, respectively. The main barriers for social housing were limitations in the recording equipment used, study design and animal temperament/activity. During toxicology studies, 94, 100 and 100% of respondents socially house dogs, minipigs and NHPs respectively on non-recording days. However, on recording days 31, 25 and 50% of respondents socially house the animals, respectively. The main barriers for social housing were risk of damage to and limitations in the recording equipment used, food consumption recording and temperament/activity of the animals. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of the industry does not yet socially house animals during telemetry recordings in safety pharmacology and toxicology studies, there is support to implement this refinement. Continued discussions, sharing of best practice and data from companies already socially housing, combined with technology improvements and investments in infrastructure are required to maintain the forward momentum of this refinement across the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Prior
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), UK.
| | - Anna Bottomley
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kathryn Chapman
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), UK
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Long-Term and Transgenerational Effects of Stress Experienced during Different Life Phases in Chickens (Gallus gallus). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153879. [PMID: 27105229 PMCID: PMC4841578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress in animals causes not only immediate reactions, but may affect their biology for long periods, even across generations. Particular interest has been paid to perinatal stress, but also adolescence has been shown to be a sensitive period in mammals. So far, no systematic study has been performed of the relative importance of stress encountered during different life phases. In this study, groups of chickens were exposed to a six-day period of repeated stress during three different life phases: early (two weeks), early puberty (eight weeks) and late puberty (17 weeks), and the effects were compared to an unstressed control group. The short-term effects were assessed by behaviour, and the long-term and transgenerational effects were determined by effects on behavior and corticosterone secretion, as well as on hypothalamic gene expression. Short-term effects were strongest in the two week group and the eight week group, whereas long-term and transgenerational effects were detected in all three stress groups. However, stress at different ages affected different aspects of the biology of the chickens, and it was not possible to determine a particularly sensitive life phase. The results show that stress during puberty appears to be at least equally critical as the previously studied early life phase. These findings may have important implications for animal welfare in egg production, since laying hens are often exposed to stress during the three periods pinpointed here.
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Intermittent Suckling Causes a Transient Increase in Cortisol That Does Not Appear to Compromise Selected Measures of Piglet Welfare and Stress. Animals (Basel) 2016; 6:ani6030024. [PMID: 26999224 PMCID: PMC4810052 DOI: 10.3390/ani6030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study assessed the effects intermittent suckling (IS) had on physiological and behavioral indices of piglets before and after weaning. Piglets were allocated to either a control treatment (conventional weaning) or an IS treatment (separation from the sow for 8 h per day starting the week before weaning). Apart from an initial peak in cortisol at the start of IS, piglets subjected to IS did not show physiological changes suggestive of a chronic stress response before and after weaning. The event of weaning still caused a decrease in growth rate and an increase in white blood cell parameters in both treatment groups. However, the IS piglets tended to gain more weight in the second half of the week after weaning. The results of this study suggest that short periods of separation (e.g., 8 h/day) do not appear to compromise piglet welfare over the peri-weaning period. Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that piglets subjected to intermittent suckling (IS) would show changes in physiological and behavioral indices indicative of compromised welfare in the peri-weaning period. A total of 21 primiparous sows and their litters were allocated to either a control treatment (n = 10) where piglets were weaned conventionally, or an IS treatment (n = 11) where piglets were separated daily from their sows for 8 h starting the week before weaning. Performance, physiological and behavioral measures were taken at various time points during the week before and after weaning. Plasma cortisol levels were higher (p = 0.01) in IS piglets 7 d before weaning. Regardless of treatment, the N:L ratio at 3 d and 7 d after weaning was higher (p < 0.05) than that at 1 d before weaning. The IS piglets ate more creep feed during lactation (p < 0.05), and there was a tendency for the IS piglets to gain more weight between 3 d and 7 d after weaning (p < 0.1). This study showed that, aside from an increase in cortisol at the start of IS, piglets subjected to IS did not display physiological or behavioral changes indicative of compromised welfare.
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