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Ditzler B, Evans JB, Illing K, Kaeberlein M, Promislow DE, Brindle E, Hoffman JM, Creevy KE. Clippers are superior to scissors in the collection of hair for chemical analysis in companion dogs: a Dog Aging Project preliminary study. Am J Vet Res 2024; 85:ajvr.23.12.0293. [PMID: 38479103 PMCID: PMC11065556 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.12.0293] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the safest, most efficient method for hair sample collection from companion dogs among clippers, scissors, and razors and to validate obtained samples with cortisol concentration analysis. ANIMALS 25 healthy, privately owned dogs. METHODS 2 hair samples were collected from each dog's ischiatic region with different implements (scissors, razors, or clippers). The collecting clinician completed a Hair Collection Questionnaire (HCQ) for each sample that compared subjective sample quality, time of collection, restraint needed, and patient experience. Each sample was evaluated by cortisol enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Clippers had higher overall HCQ scores than scissors, and scissors had higher HCQ scores than razors. Collection was faster for clippers than scissors, and scissors were faster than razors. There were no differences in sample quality between scissors and clippers, and sample quality was lower with razors. There was no difference in restraint needed or patient experience. Collection of long hair had higher HCQ scores than collection of medium and short hair. Collection of hair from dogs with an undercoat had higher HCQ scores than collection of hair from dogs without an undercoat. Dog size had no effect on HCQ score. Hair cortisol concentration did not vary between scissors or clippers (P = .111). Hair color and age did not affect hair cortisol concentration (P = .966 and P = .676, respectively). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clippers are recommended for hair sample collection from companion dogs. Scissors are an adequate alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobbie Ditzler
- Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College Station, Texas
| | - Jeremy B. Evans
- Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College Station, Texas
| | - Kate Illing
- Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College Station, Texas
| | - Matt Kaeberlein
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Daniel E.L. Promislow
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Seattle, Washington
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Biology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eleanor Brindle
- University of Washington, Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jessica M. Hoffman
- Augusta University, College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Biological Sciences, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Kate E. Creevy
- Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College Station, Texas
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van Houtert EAE, Endenburg N, Vermetten E, Rodenburg TB. Hair Cortisol in Service Dogs for Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Compared to Companion Dogs ( Canis Familiaris). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023; 26:623-633. [PMID: 35120413 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2022.2033119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Service dogs are trained to assist humans. This assistance potentially exposes them to stressors To investigate if service dogs are exposed to more stressors than companion dogs we questioned whether hair cortisol levels differed between both groups. We studied this by cutting a tuft of hair from the neck of 19 companion and 11 service dogs. Cortisol levels were subsequently analyzed via immunoassay and compared via a simple linear regression model. The influence of coat color, season, sex, other dogs, pets, or mental health diagnoses in the household was also checked . Results showed that cortisol values did not differ between service and companion dogs. Furthermore, none of the additional variables had an influence on cortisol levels. This lead to the conclusion that the service dogs in this study did not have higher hair cortisol levels than companion dogs Further study should be conducted as to why no difference did occur between groups and if this difference is persistent over time given that we only studied a period of up to two months' worth of hair cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmy A E van Houtert
- Animal in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke Endenburg
- Animal in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Animal in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of MGGZ, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Iyasere OS, Durosaro SO, Oyeniran VJ, Daramola JO. Is an increase of glucocorticoid concentrations related to the degree of arousal or valence experienced by an animal to a stimulus? Domest Anim Endocrinol 2022; 81:106752. [PMID: 35868218 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2022.106752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Animal welfare is the quality of life as perceived by the animal itself. It is also the state of an animal in its attempt to cope with its environment. Animal welfare has high ethics and economic importance. Thus the need to develop parameters for assessing animal welfare. An acute increase in glucocorticoid (GC) concentration is necessary for adaptation to a stressful situation. Glucocorticoids also play a significant role in metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Glucocorticoid enhances effective learning through the hippocampus and other normal body functions. That is why we remember events (either positive or negative) associated with strong emotions. Long-term secretion of GCs has catabolic effects. Thus, affecting animal health. Measuring GC is one of the ways of assessing animal welfare. But, high GC concentration does not only indicate pain or suffering. We report that stress and emotion trigger similar physiological responses. So, measuring GC levels cannot differentiate between positive and negative states. We conclude that GC shows circadian rhythms and episodic spikes in some species. Values from a single sample point are not reliable to make conclusions about a condition. Training animals for blood collection may reduce stress. Thus not causing bias in the GC concentration measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- O S Iyasere
- Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria.
| | - S O Durosaro
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - V J Oyeniran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - J O Daramola
- Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria
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Physiological Indicators of Acute and Chronic Stress in Securely and Insecurely Attached Dogs Undergoing a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): Preliminary Results. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9100519. [PMID: 36288132 PMCID: PMC9610408 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The attachment bond that dogs form towards their owners shares similar features with the bond children form towards their caregivers. Insecurely attached children struggle to find support from their caregivers and therefore to regulate their own emotional response in times of distress. We aimed to investigate whether the quality of dog attachment to the owner may affect their physiological response to stress. We selected ten insecure and ten secure dogs from a sample of individuals who underwent a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) to assess their attachment pattern towards the owner. The SSP is specifically designed to progressively generate stress. We collected saliva samples before and after the test to measure cortisol concentrations, as an indicator of acute stress, as well as a hair sample to assess chronic stress. We also measured blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature after the completion of the test. The results showed that salivary cortisol concentrations were higher in insecure dogs, particularly after the test. Heart rate also tended to be higher in insecure dogs. No difference in hair cortisol levels were found between secure and insecure dogs. Dogs’ physiological response to acute stress may be affected by the quality of the attachment to the owners. Abstract The quality of the attachment bond towards the caregiver may affect the dog’s physiological responses to stressful stimuli. This study aimed to measure chronic and acute physiological parameters of stress in ten securely and ten insecurely attached dogs. The twenty experimental subjects were selected from a sample of dogs that participated with their owners in the Strange Situation Procedure. Saliva samples were collected before (T0) and after (T1) the test. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were measured after the test, only. At this time, a hair sample was also collected. RM ANOVA was used to analyse cortisol concentrations between secure and insecure dogs at T0 and T1. Mann–Whitney U test or T test were used for other physiological parameters. Insecure dogs had significant higher salivary cortisol concentrations than secure dogs at T1 (p = 0.024), but only a non-significant trend towards higher cortisol concentrations at T0 (p = 0.099). Post-test heart rate also tended to be higher in insecure compared to secure dogs (p = 0.077). No significant differences in hair cortisol concentration were found. The quality of attachment may affect the dog’s physiological response to acute stress, at least when related to separation from the caregiver. The effect of attachment on chronic stress requires further investigation.
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Zenth F, Corlatti L, Giacomelli S, Saleri R, Cavalli V, Andrani M, Donini V. Hair cortisol concentration as a marker of long-term stress: sex and body temperature are major determinants in wild-living Alpine marmots. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHair cortisol concentration (HCC) has recently gained popularity as an easy-to-measure biomarker of long-term stress in wild and domestic animals. Hair integrates cortisol over long time periods within a single sample and it can be collected non-invasively, which makes its use particularly interesting for wildlife studies. Interpreting HCC values, however, is challenging, because they are determined by the interplay of multiple factors. Here, were explore potential determinants of HCC in the Alpine marmot Marmota marmota. We tested the relationship of sex, age class, physical condition and body temperature with the hair cortisol concentration of free-ranging marmots. We found marked sex difference in HCC, with higher levels in females. This might be related to sex-specific variation in social stress or resulting from physiological difference, e.g., in baseline and stress-induced levels of cortisol secretion. Interestingly, body temperature was also positively related to HCC, possibly hinting at individual short- and long-term stress reactivity as part of coping styles. Although further work is needed to entangle possible mechanisms underlying the neuro-endocrinological modulation on HCC, our results emphasize that determinants such as sex and body temperature in Alpine marmots should be accounted for, when using HCC as marker of chronic stress.
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Somppi S, Törnqvist H, Koskela A, Vehkaoja A, Tiira K, Väätäjä H, Surakka V, Vainio O, Kujala MV. Dog–Owner Relationship, Owner Interpretations and Dog Personality Are Connected with the Emotional Reactivity of Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111338. [PMID: 35681804 PMCID: PMC9179432 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The relationship between owner and the dog affects the dog’s attachment behaviors and stress coping. In turn, the quality of the relationship may affect owner’s interpretations about their dog’s behavior. Here, we assessed dogs’ emotional responses from heart rate variability and behavioral changes during five different situations. Dog owners evaluated the emotion (valence and arousal) of their dog after each situation. We found that both negative and positive incidents provoked signs of emotional arousal in dogs. Owners detected the dog’s arousal especially during fear- and stress-evoking situations. The dog–owner relationship did not affect owners’ interpretation of dogs’ emotion. However, the dog–owner relationship was reflected in the dog’s emotional reactions. Close emotional bond with the owner appeared to decrease the arousal of the dogs. Dog owners’ frequent caregiving of their dog was associated with increased attachment behaviors and heightened arousal of dogs. Owners rated the disadvantages of the dog relationship higher for the dogs that were less owner-oriented and less arousable. Dog’s arousal may provoke dog’s need to seek human attention, which in turn may promote the development of emotional bond. Abstract We evaluated the effect of the dog–owner relationship on dogs’ emotional reactivity, quantified with heart rate variability (HRV), behavioral changes, physical activity and dog owner interpretations. Twenty nine adult dogs encountered five different emotional situations (i.e., stroking, a feeding toy, separation from the owner, reunion with the owner, a sudden appearance of a novel object). The results showed that both negative and positive situations provoked signs of heightened arousal in dogs. During negative situations, owners’ ratings about the heightened emotional arousal correlated with lower HRV, higher physical activity and more behaviors that typically index arousal and fear. The three factors of The Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) were reflected in the dogs’ heart rate variability and behaviors: the Emotional Closeness factor was related to increased HRV (p = 0.009), suggesting this aspect is associated with the secure base effect, and the Shared Activities factor showed a trend toward lower HRV (p = 0.067) along with more owner-directed behaviors reflecting attachment related arousal. In contrast, the Perceived Costs factor was related to higher HRV (p = 0.009) along with less fear and less owner-directed behaviors, which may reflect the dog’s more independent personality. In conclusion, dogs’ emotional reactivity and the dog–owner relationship modulate each other, depending on the aspect of the relationship and dogs’ individual responsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanni Somppi
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
- Correspondence:
| | - Heini Törnqvist
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Aija Koskela
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Antti Vehkaoja
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland;
| | - Katriina Tiira
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Heli Väätäjä
- Research Group for Emotions, Sociality, and Computing, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 100, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland;
- Master School, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Jokiväylä 11 B, FI-96300 Rovaniemi, Finland;
| | - Veikko Surakka
- Master School, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Jokiväylä 11 B, FI-96300 Rovaniemi, Finland;
| | - Outi Vainio
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Miiamaaria V. Kujala
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (A.K.); (K.T.); (O.V.); (M.V.K.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, P.O. Box 12200, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
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Larssen R, Roth LS. Regular positive reinforcement training increases contact-seeking behaviour in horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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van der Laan JE, Vinke CM, Arndt SS. Evaluation of hair cortisol as an indicator of long-term stress responses in dogs in an animal shelter and after subsequent adoption. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5117. [PMID: 35449215 PMCID: PMC9023568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09140-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Shelter dogs are exposed to a variety of stressors. Among non-invasive techniques, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is suggested an easy to collect biomarker for giving insight into long-term stress responses. We evaluated HCC as an indicator of long-term cortisol responses in dogs in an animal shelter over different chronological time points during sheltering and after adoption. Hair samples were collected from the neck region following a shave/re-shave protocol of shelter dogs (total n = 52) at four different time periods: T1 intake at shelter (pre-shelter period, n = 51); T2 after 6 weeks in the shelter (n = 23); T3 6 weeks after adoption (n = 24); T4 6 months after adoption (n = 22). HCC at T2 was significantly higher than HCC at T1, T3 and T4 (effect of sample collection moment: F3,41 = 12.78, p < 0.0001). The dog’s weight class, age class, sex, reason for admission, kennel history and melanin type also explained HCC variability. No significant difference in HCC was found between shelter dogs T1 and control pet dogs in their own homes (n = 20, one sample, t = − 1.24, p = 0.219). A significant but moderate positive correlation between HCC and urinary cortisol:creatinine ratios was found (т = 0.3, p < 0.001). As HCC increased in the shelter, the use of this non-invasive parameter appears a useful additional tool in dog welfare research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke Elisabeth van der Laan
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Population Health Sciences - Division of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Claudia Maureen Vinke
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Population Health Sciences - Division of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Stefanie Arndt
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Population Health Sciences - Division of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Tamminen LM, Keeling LJ, Svensson A, Briot L, Emanuelson U. Unraveling the Complexity to Observe Associations Between Welfare Indicators and Hair Cortisol Concentration in Dairy Calves. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.793558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Using levels of the stress hormone cortisol as an indicator for welfare is a common, but debated practice. In this observational study, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) of samples from 196 dairy calves from 7 to 302 days of age collected from 12 Swedish farms was determined using a commercially available ELISA. An assessment of animal welfare, assessed using animal-based indicators, was performed on the day of sampling. First, methodological factors with the potential to impact HCC and the effect of age were analyzed using generalized additive models. This revealed a significant peak in hair cortisol in young calves (around 50 days of age) and an association between fecal contamination of hair samples and the level of cortisol extracted. Second, associations between welfare indicators and HCC were explored using cluster analysis and regularized regression. The results show a complex pattern, possibly related to different coping styles of the calves, and indicators of poor welfare were associated with both increased and decreased hair cortisol levels. High cortisol levels were associated with potential indicators of competition, while low cortisol levels were associated with the signs of poor health or a poor environment. When running the regularized regression analysis without the contaminated hair samples and with the contaminated samples (including a contamination score), the results did not change, indicating that it may be possible to use a contamination score to correct for contamination.
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Contreras ET, Vanderstichel R, Hovenga C, Lappin MR. Evaluation of hair and nail cortisol concentrations and associations with behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators of chronic stress in cats. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2662-2672. [PMID: 34704630 PMCID: PMC8692200 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic stress is implicated in behavioral and health issues in cats, but methods for recognition, evaluation, and measurement of stress are lacking. Cortisol concentration is typically used as an indicator of stress. Objectives To evaluate use of an enzyme immunoassay to quantitate hair and nail cortisol concentrations (HCC and NCC) in cats and evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, physical, and environmental correlates of chronic stress in cats. Animals Forty‐eight adult, owned or community cats. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Nail clippings and hair were collected from cats. Medical history and cat daily lifestyle questionnaires were completed by owners or caretakers. A commercial laboratory performed cortisol extraction and quantification using a validated enzyme immunoassay kit. Correlational and regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, environmental, and medical factors. Results Hair and nail cortisol concentrations were significantly associated (rs = 0.70; P < .001), but HCCs varied widely within and among cats. Cats with litterbox issues had significantly increased HCC (P = .02) and NCC (P = .001) as compared to cats without litterbox issues. Cats with groomed coats had lower HCCs (P = .02) as compared to cats without groomed coats, whereas cats with dander and mats had higher NCCs (P = .01) as compared to cats without dander and mats. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The quantification of NCCs might improve identification and evaluation of chronic stress in cats. The variability of HCCs in individual cats warrants caution using this measurement in chronic stress studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena T Contreras
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville, New York, USA
| | - Raphael Vanderstichel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville, New York, USA
| | - Claire Hovenga
- Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael R Lappin
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Ludvigsson J, Faresjö Å, Faresjö T. Breastfeeding and cortisol in hair in children. Int Breastfeed J 2021; 16:75. [PMID: 34620189 PMCID: PMC8499545 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00419-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most important protective health factors for children is breast-feeding, but the mechanisms for this effect are not fully elucidated. Our objective was to assess if the duration of breastfeeding influences cortisol in hair, used as a biomarker for stress in children still at school-age. Methods ABIS (All Babies in Southeast Sweden) is a prospective population-based child cohort study of 17,055 children born Oct 1st1997- Oct 1st 1999, with the aim to study development of immune-mediated diseases. Questionnaires were answered at birth and then at regular follow-ups, and biological samples were collected. As a biomarker of stress, we measured the child’s cortisol in hair collected at 8 years of age, those randomly selected N = 126 children among those with enough hair samples for analyses of hair at 8 years of age. Duration of breastfeeding had been registered as well as psycho-social factors related to breastfeeding and/or stress. Results There was a negative correlation (r = − 0.23, p = 0.01) between total duration of breastfeeding and hair cortisol levels at 8 years of age. In a multivariate analysis this association persisted (p = 0.01) even when adjusted for other potential intervening factors like age of mother at delivery and early psychosocial vulnerability in the family, an index based on 11 factors (Multivariate model: df = 5, adj R2 = 0.15, F = 5.38, p < 0.01). Conclusion Our results show that longer breastfeeding is associated with lower cortisol levels in the child many years later. These associations should be more elaborated in further studies, and these findings also give some implications for public health. Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their children also in the modern society, since breastfeeding promotes health in the child. This information could be given via the obstetric departments and later at the well-baby clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Ludvigsson
- Crown Princess Victoria Children's Hospital and Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Åshild Faresjö
- Division of Community Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Care, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tomas Faresjö
- Division of Community Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Care, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden
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Long-term stress in dogs is related to the human-dog relationship and personality traits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8612. [PMID: 33883667 PMCID: PMC8060293 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88201-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we found that dogs belonging to the herding breed group, selected for human cooperation, synchronise their long-term stress levels with their owners. The aim of the current study was to investigate features that could influence long-term stress levels in ancient dog breeds, genetically closer to wolves, and dogs specifically selected to work independently of their owner. Twenty-four ancient breed dogs and 18 solitary hunting dogs were recruited and hair samples were obtained from both dogs and owners from which hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was analysed. Additionally, the owners completed lifestyle surveys, the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) on human–dog relationship, and both dog and owner personality questionnaires (Dog Personality questionnaire and Big Five Inventory survey). The results from the MDORS indicate that the subscale Perceived cost correlated to the dog HCC of tested breed groups: solitary hunting breeds (χ2 = 4.95, P = 0.026, β = 0.055), ancient breeds (χ2 = 2.74, P = 0.098, β = 0.027), and herding dogs included from a previous study (χ2 = 6.82, P = 0.009, β = − 0.061). The HCC of the solitary hunting dogs was also related to the owner personality traits Agreeableness (χ2 = 12.30, P < 0.001, β = − 0.060) and Openness (χ2 = 9.56, P = 0.002, β = 0.048) suggesting a more substantial influence of the owner on the solitary hunting dog’s HCC compared to the ancient breeds. No effect of owner HCC on dog HCC was found in either ancient or in solitary hunting breeds. Hence, the long-term stress synchronisation is likely to be a trait in breeds selected for human cooperation. In conclusion, dog HCC is often related to the owners’ personality, but is primarily influenced by the owner-dog relationship.
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Bowland GB, Bernstein RM, Koster J, Fiorello C, Brenn-White M, Liu J, Schwartz L, Campbell A, von Stade D, Beagley J, Pomerantz J, González A, Quick M, McKinnon K, Aghaian A, Sparks C, Gross JB. Fur Color and Nutritional Status Predict Hair Cortisol Concentrations of Dogs in Nicaragua. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:565346. [PMID: 33195542 PMCID: PMC7604343 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.565346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationships between hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and sex, age, nutritional status (as determined by body condition scores, or BCS), and body mass (geometric mean calculated from morphometric measurements), as well as the potential influence of hair pigmentation (light, dark, or agouti/mixed) on HCC in dogs of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, Nicaragua. The dogs examined in this study live in a marginal environment where disease, malnutrition, and mortality rates are high. For fur color, HCC was significantly higher in light fur than in than dark and mixed fur (p < 0.001). In addition, BCS scores were found to have a negative effect on HCC (p < 0.001). Measures of sex and body size exhibited inconclusive effects on HCC, and when compared to adult dogs, juvenile dogs did not exhibit significantly different HCC. Repeated measures of dogs over time reveal a moderate intra-class correlation, suggesting that there are unmeasured sources of individual-level heterogeneity. These findings imply a need to account for fur color in studies of HCC in dogs, and the study suggests an overlooked relationship between cortisol and body condition scores in undernourished dogs in diverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace B Bowland
- Anthropology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Robin M Bernstein
- Anthropology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States.,Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Jeremy Koster
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Human Behavior, Ecology, and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Maris Brenn-White
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - James Liu
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Laura Schwartz
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Devin von Stade
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Aghaian
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Corey Sparks
- Department of Demography, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Joshua B Gross
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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14
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Lavergne SG, Peers MJL, Mastromonaco G, Majchrzak YN, Nair A, Boutin S, Boonstra R. Hair cortisol as a reliable indicator of stress physiology in the snowshoe hare: Influence of body region, sex, season, and predator-prey population dynamics. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 294:113471. [PMID: 32234297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentration is increasingly used as a convenient, non-invasive, and integrative measure of physiology and health in natural populations of mammals. However, the use of this index is potentially confounded by individual variation in body region-specific differences in cortisol deposition rates. Here we examine correlations in cortisol concentrations in hair collected from the ear, shoulder, and thigh of wild snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus, as well as the influence of sex on cortisol measurements. We further evaluated this technique's ability to capture seasonal and cyclical patterns of snowshoe hare glucocorticoid secretion from 2013 to 2015 in the southwestern Yukon (Canada). We found positive correlations (R2 = 0.20-0.32) in all pairwise comparisons among body regions, and differences among individuals accounted for the greatest proportion of variance (47.3%) in measurements. From 2013 to 2015 the hares' primary predator - Canada lynx - approximately doubled in population abundance. We found a significant increase in hare hair cortisol concentrations across this time period. Cortisol indices were higher in summer than winter pelage, reflecting predicted physiological responses to seasonal variation in food availability and individual risk. Variation in hair cortisol concentrations was more similar to long-term (weeks-months) integrative indices of adrenal capacity than point samples of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations. Overall, we find that hair cortisol analysis is a simple and useful tool for estimations of population-level stress physiology in wild mammals, and sampling of core body regions with consistent moulting patterns produced the most robust results in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia G Lavergne
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Michael J L Peers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Yasmine N Majchrzak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anandu Nair
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Hair cortisol in horses (Equus caballus) in relation to management regimes, personality, and breed. J Vet Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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16
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Friedrich J, Strandberg E, Arvelius P, Sánchez-Molano E, Pong-Wong R, Hickey JM, Haskell MJ, Wiener P. Genetic dissection of complex behaviour traits in German Shepherd dogs. Heredity (Edinb) 2019; 123:746-758. [PMID: 31611599 PMCID: PMC6834583 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-019-0275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A favourable genetic structure and diversity of behavioural features highlights the potential of dogs for studying the genetic architecture of behaviour traits. However, behaviours are complex traits, which have been shown to be influenced by numerous genetic and non-genetic factors, complicating their analysis. In this study, the genetic contribution to behaviour variation in German Shepherd dogs (GSDs) was analysed using genomic approaches. GSDs were phenotyped for behaviour traits using the established Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and regional heritability mapping (RHM) approaches were employed to identify associations between behaviour traits and genetic variants, while accounting for relevant non-genetic factors. By combining these complementary methods we endeavoured to increase the power to detect loci with small effects. Several behavioural traits exhibited moderate heritabilities, with the highest identified for Human-directed playfulness, a trait characterised by positive interactions with humans. We identified several genomic regions associated with one or more of the analysed behaviour traits. Some candidate genes located in these regions were previously linked to behavioural disorders in humans, suggesting a new context for their influence on behaviour characteristics. Overall, the results support dogs as a valuable resource to dissect the genetic architecture of behaviour traits and also highlight the value of focusing on a single breed in order to control for background genetic effects and thus avoid limitations of between-breed analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Friedrich
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Erling Strandberg
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Arvelius
- Swedish Armed Forces Dog Training Centre, PO Box 194, 195 24, Märsta, Sweden
| | - E Sánchez-Molano
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ricardo Pong-Wong
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - John M Hickey
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Marie J Haskell
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Pamela Wiener
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
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17
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Kalliokoski O, Jellestad FK, Murison R. A systematic review of studies utilizing hair glucocorticoids as a measure of stress suggests the marker is more appropriate for quantifying short-term stressors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11997. [PMID: 31427664 PMCID: PMC6701156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48517-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitating glucocorticoids (GCs) in hairs is a popular method for assessing chronic stress in studies of humans and animals alike. The cause-and-effect relationship between stress and elevated GC levels in hairs, sampled weeks later, is however hard to prove. This systematic review evaluated the evidence supporting hair glucocorticoids (hGCs) as a biomarker of stress. Only a relatively small number of controlled studies employing hGC analyses have been published, and the quality of the evidence is compromised by unchecked sources of bias. Subjects exposed to stress mostly demonstrate elevated levels of hGCs, and these concentrations correlate significantly with GC concentrations in serum, saliva and feces. This supports hGCs as a biomarker of stress, but the dataset provided no evidence that hGCs are a marker of stress outside of the immediate past. Only in cases where the stressor persisted at the time of hair sampling could a clear link between stress and hGCs be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Kalliokoski
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Finn K Jellestad
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Robert Murison
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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18
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Sundman AS, Van Poucke E, Svensson Holm AC, Faresjö Å, Theodorsson E, Jensen P, Roth LSV. Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7391. [PMID: 31171798 PMCID: PMC6554395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43851-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reveals, for the first time, an interspecific synchronization in long-term stress levels. Previously, acute stress, has been shown to be highly contagious both among humans and between individuals of other species. Here, long-term stress synchronization in dogs and their owners was investigated. We studied 58 dog-human dyads and analyzed their hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) at two separate occasions, reflecting levels during previous summer and winter months. The personality traits of both dogs and their owners were determined through owner-completed Dog Personality Questionnaire (DPQ) and human Big Five Inventory (BFI) surveys. In addition, the dogs’ activity levels were continuously monitored with a remote cloud-based activity collar for one week. Shetland sheepdogs (N = 33) and border collies (N = 25), balanced for sex, participated, and both pet dogs and actively competing dogs (agility and obedience) were included to represent different lifestyles. The results showed significant interspecies correlations in long-term stress where human HCC from both summer and winter samplings correlated strongly with dog HCC (summer: N = 57, χ2 = 23.697, P < 0.001, β = 0.235; winter: N = 55, χ2 = 13.796, P < 0.001, β = 0.027). Interestingly, the dogs’ activity levels did not affect HCC, nor did the amount of training sessions per week, showing that the HCC levels were not related to general physical activity. Additionally, there was a seasonal effect in HCC. However, although dogs’ personalities had little effects on their HCC, the human personality traits neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness significantly affected dog HCC. Hence, we suggest that dogs, to a great extent, mirror the stress level of their owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Sofie Sundman
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Enya Van Poucke
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ann-Charlotte Svensson Holm
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Åshild Faresjö
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Jensen
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lina S V Roth
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
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19
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What can we learn from the hair of the dog? Complex effects of endogenous and exogenous stressors on canine hair cortisol. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216000. [PMID: 31116735 PMCID: PMC6530888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hair is an emerging biological matrix in which to measure chronic HPA axis activity, offering a longer term view into an animal’s life. We explored effects of exogenous (e.g. lifestyle, medications, social environment) and endogenous (e.g. disease, behaviour) stressors on hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in a population of Border Collies (BCs). Owners of BCs were recruited and reported their dog’s lifestyle, clinical history, anxiety-related behaviour, and collected a white hair sample from their dog’s dorsal neck region. HCC was determined using established methods with a commercial cortisol assay kit. Samples from 135 BCs were analysed, with 91 healthy controls and 44 diagnosed with epilepsy as a model disease. Factors associated with higher HCC included psychosocial stressors (living with three or more other dogs) and lifestyle (engaging in competitive flyball); while factors associated with lower HCC included anxiety (stranger-directed and non-social), health (epilepsy diagnosis, with number of seizures to date negatively correlated with HCC) and medication (certain anti-epileptic drugs were associated with elevated or reduced HCC). These novel results highlight the potential of chronic stress with frequent or persisting HPA-axis hyperactivity leading to a state of hypocortisolism, and the need to consider stressor recency and recurrence when interpreting HCC data.
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20
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Friedrich J, Arvelius P, Strandberg E, Polgar Z, Wiener P, Haskell MJ. The interaction between behavioural traits and demographic and management factors in German Shepherd dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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21
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Kirchoff NS, Udell MAR, Sharpton TJ. The gut microbiome correlates with conspecific aggression in a small population of rescued dogs (Canis familiaris). PeerJ 2019; 7:e6103. [PMID: 30643689 PMCID: PMC6330041 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggression is a serious behavioral disorder in domestic dogs that endangers both dogs and humans. The underlying causes of canine aggression are poorly resolved and require illumination to ensure effective therapy. Recent research links the compositional diversity of the gut microbiome to behavioral and psychological regulation in other mammals, such as mice and humans. Given these observations, we hypothesized that the composition of the canine gut microbiome could associate with aggression. We analyzed fecal microbiome samples collected from a small population of pit bull type dogs seized from a dogfighting organization. This population included 21 dogs that displayed conspecific aggressive behaviors and 10 that did not. Beta-diversity analyses support an association between gut microbiome structure and dog aggression. Additionally, we used a phylogenetic approach to resolve specific clades of gut bacteria that stratify aggressive and non-aggressive dogs, including clades within Lactobacillus, Dorea, Blautia, Turicibacter, and Bacteroides. Several of these taxa have been implicated in modulating mammalian behavior as well as gastrointestinal disease states. Although sample size limits this study, our findings indicate that gut microorganisms are linked to dog aggression and point to an aggression-associated physiological state that interacts with the gut microbiome. These results also indicate that the gut microbiome may be useful for diagnosing aggressive behaviors prior to their manifestation and potentially discerning cryptic etiologies of aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Kirchoff
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Monique A R Udell
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America.,Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
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22
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Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Otten W. The use of hair cortisol for the assessment of stress in animals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 270:10-17. [PMID: 30287191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is assumed to be a retrospective marker of integrated cortisol secretion and stress over longer periods of time. Its quantification is increasingly used in psychoneuroendocrinological studies in humans, but also in animal stress and welfare research. The measurement of HCCs for the assessment of stress offers many considerable benefits for use in domesticated and wild animals, especially due to the easy and minimally invasive sampling procedure and the representation of longer time periods in one sample. This review aims to outline the different fields of application and to assess the applicability and validity of HCC as an indicator for chronic stress or long-term activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in wild and domesticated animals. Specific hair characteristics are presented and the advantages and limitations of using HCC are discussed. An overview of findings on the impact of stress- and health-related factors on HCCs and of diverse influencing factors causing variation in hair cortisol levels in different species is given. Recommendations for the use of hair cortisol analysis are proposed and potential fields of future research are pointed out. The studies indicate an effect of age and pregnancy on HCCs, and cortisol incorporation into hair was also found to depend on hair colour, body region, sex and season of year, but these results are less consistent. Furthermore, the results in animals show that a wide array of stressors and pathological conditions alters the cortisol concentrations in hair and that HCC thereby provides a reliable and valid reflection of long-term cortisol secretion in many species. However, more research is necessary to investigate the underlying mechanisms of cortisol incorporation into the hair and to explore the hair growth characteristics in the species of interest. To overcome confounding influences, the use of standardized sampling protocols is strongly advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susen Heimbürge
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Kanitz
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Winfried Otten
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
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23
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Evaluation of the factor structure of the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) in European Portuguese. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209852. [PMID: 30589886 PMCID: PMC6307869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human-dog relationship is thought to be the oldest domestic animal partnership. These relationships are complex and can become problematic when they become dysfunctional. The most common signs of dysfunctional human-dog partnerships are behaviour problems that, when unidentified and uncorrected, can be a clear danger to both species and the public. The Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a widely implemented instrument to evaluate dog behaviour proven to be useful across various cultures. A European Portuguese 78-item version based on the 100-item C-BARQ was developed and its psychometric properties evaluated. The resulting questionnaire has a 13-factor structure accounting for 58.42% of the total variance with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.902 and 0.721, showing excellent to respectable consistency. The original factors, Dog-Directed Aggression and Dog-Directed Fear, both loaded strongly onto a joint factor renamed Dog Associated Fear/Aggression, explaining the 13-factor structure compared to the previously found 14-factor structure. In the European Portuguese C-BARQ only two items did not load onto their expected factor. Results show that the questionnaire measures universal dog behaviours that are evident to most owners. Our results suggest that the European Portuguese version of the C-BARQ can be used to characterize the behaviour of dog populations and is adequate for use in animal shelters to help match dogs with new owners and in clinical settings to identify behaviour problems in veterinary patients before they become unmanageable. The European Portuguese C-BARQ could be of vital importance in helping to resolve behavioural problems in owned dogs before they become so serious as to lead to abandonment or euthanasia, diminishing the pressure on municipal kennels and greatly improving canine welfare.
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24
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Koren L, Bryan H, Matas D, Tinman S, Fahlman Å, Whiteside D, Smits J, Wynne‐Edwards K. Towards the validation of endogenous steroid testing in wildlife hair. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Koren
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Heather Bryan
- Department of GeographyUniversity of Victoria Victoria British Columbia Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sidney British Columbia Canada
| | - Devorah Matas
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Simon Tinman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan University Ramat‐Gan Israel
| | - Åsa Fahlman
- Swedish Biodiversity CentreSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Douglas Whiteside
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
- Calgary Zoo Alberta Canada
| | - Judit Smits
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
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25
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Grigg EK, Nibblett BM, Robinson JQ, Smits JE. Evaluating pair versus solitary housing in kennelled domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris) using behaviour and hair cortisol: a pilot study. Vet Rec Open 2017; 4:e000193. [PMID: 28890790 PMCID: PMC5574456 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2016-000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies conducted to assess welfare of domestic dogs housed in kennel facilities have reported that these dogs experience suboptimal living conditions. One important goal of improving welfare of kennelled dogs is to reduce their stress levels, and one recommended approach for improving welfare of kennelled dogs is group or social housing. The beneficial effects of management changes designed to achieve this goal should be measurable in individual animals. Stress is evident through behaviours exhibited, as well as via the concentration of cortisol, a key hormone reflecting stress. Using behavioural and hair cortisol measures, we conducted a pilot study to measure the impact of switching dogs housed in a long-term kennels facility from solitary to pair housing, using both within-subjects and between-groups comparisons. Considerable individual variation in dog responses was noted, with only two of eight pair-housed dogs showing significant declines in multiple stress-related behaviours once in pair housing. The most sensitive behaviours were active vigilance and repetitive movements (such as jumping and pacing). Barking was reduced overall in the facility following the housing change, even among dogs still in solitary housing. The long-term stress as reflected in hormone deposition in hair also provided encouraging indications that the dogs experienced lower stress levels when in paired housing; dogs showed a significant decline in hair cortisol levels from the first (prehousing change) to second (postintervention) samples. Domestic dogs are social animals, and numerous indications of potential benefit were recorded with no negative impacts seen. Based on our findings, we recommend pair or group housing of compatible dogs as a promising addition to the strategies available to those seeking to improve welfare of kennelled dogs. Future studies using higher numbers of animals and that include tracking of hair cortisol, vigilance behaviour, repetitive movements and barking would be desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Grigg
- Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Farm, Saint Kitts and Nevis.,School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Belle Marie Nibblett
- Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Farm, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - James Q Robinson
- Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Farm, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Judit E Smits
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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26
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Mack Z, Fokidis HB. A novel method for assessing chronic cortisol concentrations in dogs using the nail as a source. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2017; 59:53-57. [PMID: 27940099 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol, a glucocorticoid secreted in response to stress, is used to assess adrenal function and mental health in clinical settings. Current methods assess cortisol sources that reflect short-term secretion that can vary with current stress state. Here, we present a novel method for the extraction and quantification of cortisol from the dog nail using solid phase extraction coupled to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Validation experiments demonstrated accuracy (r = 0.836, P < 0.001) precision (15.1% coefficients of variation), and repeatability (14.4% coefficients of variation) with this method. Furthermore, nail cortisol concentrations were positively correlated to an established hair cortisol method (r = 0.736, P < 0.001). Nail cortisol concentrations did not differ with dog sex, breed, age, or weights; however, sample size limitations may preclude statistical significance. Nail cortisol may provide information on cortisol secretion integrated over the time corresponding to nail growth and may be useful as a tool for diagnosing stress and adrenal disorders in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Mack
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 37289, USA
| | - H B Fokidis
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 37289, USA.
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27
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Nijsse R, Mughini-Gras L, Wagenaar JA, Ploeger HW. Recurrent patent infections with Toxocara canis in household dogs older than six months: a prospective study. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:531. [PMID: 27716389 PMCID: PMC5051026 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1816-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To reduce environmental contamination with Toxocara canis eggs, the current general advice is to deworm all dogs older than six months on average four times a year. However, only a small proportion of non-juvenile household dogs actually shed T. canis eggs, and some dogs shed eggs more frequently than others. The identification of these frequent shedders and the associated risk factors is an important cornerstone for constructing evidence-based deworming regimens. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors associated with recurrence of periods of shedding Toxocara eggs in a cohort of household dogs older than six months. METHODS We performed a prospective study (July 2011 to October 2014) on shedding Toxocara eggs in a cohort of 938 household dogs older than six months from all over the Netherlands. The median follow-up time was 14 months. Monthly, owners sent faecal samples of their dogs for Toxocara testing and completed a questionnaire. Dogs were dewormed only after diagnosis of a patent infection (PI). Survival analysis was used to assess factors influencing the time to first diagnosed PIs (FPI) and the time to recurrent PIs (RPI). RESULTS The overall prevalence of PIs was 4.5 %, resulting in an estimated average incidence of 0.54 PIs/dog/year. No PI was diagnosed in 67.9 % of the dogs, 17.5 % of the dogs went through only one PI and 14.6 % had > 1 PI. Prevalence of PIs always peaked during wintertime. Increased hazards for first diagnosed PIs were associated with coprophagy, geophagy, walking off-leash for ≥ 80 % of walking time, reported worms in the faeces, feeding a commercial diet and suffering from urologic or respiratory conditions. Median time to reinfection was nine months. Factors associated with increased hazards for recurrent PIs were taking corticosteroids, changing dog's main purpose, and proxies for veterinary care-seeking behaviours. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that targeted anthelmintic treatments in household dogs may be feasible as PIs tend to (re)occur in specific periods and in groups of dogs at high risk. Moreover, recurrent PIs appear to be influenced more by factors related to impaired immunity than environmental exposure to Toxocara eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Nijsse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. box 80.165, 3508, TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. box 80.165, 3508, TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. box 80.165, 3508, TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Harm W Ploeger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. box 80.165, 3508, TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Jensen P, Persson ME, Wright D, Johnsson M, Sundman AS, Roth LSV. The Genetics of How Dogs Became Our Social Allies. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0963721416657050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Dogs were domesticated from wolves about 15,000 years ago, and an important selection pressure (intentional or unintentional) has been their ability to communicate and cooperate with people. They show extensive human-directed sociability, which varies within as well as between breeds and is not shared by ancestral wolves. Hence, dogs are potentially ideal models for studying the genetics of social behavior. Here, we review some recent research carried out by us and others on this subject. We present results showing that recent selection of different breed types can be used as a model system for investigating the genetic architecture of personalities. Furthermore, we review data showing that human-directed social behavior is significantly related to a small number of genes that have known connections to human social disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. We suggest that dogs are excellent study subjects for analyzing the evolution and genetics of social behavior and can serve as probes for human health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Jensen
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
| | - Mia E. Persson
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
| | - Dominic Wright
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
| | - Martin Johnsson
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
| | - Ann-Sofie Sundman
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
| | - Lina S. V. Roth
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
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