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Wolf TE, Toppel K, Jacobsen L, Andersson R, Touma C. Measuring urofecal glucocorticoid metabolites in broiler chicken: a noninvasive tool for assessing stress as a marker of welfare. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104162. [PMID: 39154610 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104162] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The poultry industry is an important and still growing sector in many parts of the world. For ethical reasons and due to increased consumer awareness for animal welfare in production animals, it is of importance to establish a reliable and objective test system for monitoring and improving health and welfare. During the rearing process, broiler chickens are exposed to numerous potential stressors and management interventions (e.g. weighing of individual animals, preslaughter fasting and capture processes), but assessing the level of stress perceived by the animals entirely through behavioral observations can be challenging. Monitoring stress-related physiological markers, such as glucocorticoids, can be an accurate and presumably more objective addition. To avoid additional stressors induced by blood collection, a noninvasive approach using urofecal samples is advisable. However, a thorough validation is needed to establish a suitable test system for measuring stress hormone levels, including potential effects of the time of day of collection or the time that has elapsed since defecation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the stability of urofecal glucocorticoid metabolites (ufGCM) postdefecation, to determine time of day effects on ufGCM levels, and to investigate the effect of standard management procedures on ufGCM concentrations in broiler chickens. Our results revealed a time window of 4 h in which fecal samples from broilers can be collected without major alterations to the ufGCM concentrations. In this regard, a "fecal box" proved useful for collecting uncontaminated fresh samples. The time of day of sample collection did not influence ufGCM concentrations significantly. Moreover, the used assay proved to be sensitive enough to detect even small and short-lasting activations of the HPA axis induced by handling, confinement, and fasting. Thus, the system used can be a powerful and easy to apply tool in a chicken production setup for assessing stress as a marker of welfare in commercially housed broiler chickens, which in the long-term can also improve production, particularly with regard to process quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja E Wolf
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany; Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, 0002 Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Kathrin Toppel
- Department of Applied Poultry Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Lea Jacobsen
- Department of Applied Poultry Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Robby Andersson
- Department of Applied Poultry Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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Svoboda M, Nemeckova M, Medkova D, Sardi L, Hodkovicova N. Non-invasive methods for analysing pig welfare biomarkers. VET MED-CZECH 2024; 69:137-155. [PMID: 38841131 PMCID: PMC11148715 DOI: 10.17221/17/2024-vetmed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, the assessment of pig welfare quality has gained significant importance, prompting the exploration of novel biomarkers for this purpose. Traditionally, these biomarkers have been monitored in the blood; however, blood sampling is considered an invasive procedure. Currently, non-invasive methods for collecting samples are emerging as viable alternatives for assessing these biomarkers. This article aims to present the current knowledge regarding the use of non-invasive methods for analysing pig welfare biomarkers, specifically focusing on the saliva, hair, faeces, and urine as matrices to determine these biomarkers. The saliva analysis encompasses various biomarkers, such as cortisol, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A, the total esterase, oxytocin, acute phase proteins, adenosine deaminase, immunoglobulins and parameters of redox homeostasis. Cortisol, a specific biomarker, can be determined in the hair, urine and faeces, while urine samples allow for the analysis of catecholamines as non-invasive markers of pig welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Svoboda
- Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nemeckova
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Medkova
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Nikola Hodkovicova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
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3
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Tucker BS, Jorquera-Chavez M, Petrovski KR, Craig JR, Morrison RS, Smits RJ, Kirkwood RN. Comparing surface temperature locations with rectal temperature in neonatal piglets under production conditions. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2023.2176310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bryony S. Tucker
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, Australia
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | | | - Kiro R. Petrovski
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
- Davies Livestock Research Centre, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Jessica R. Craig
- Research and Innovation, Rivalea Australia Pty Ltd., Corowa, Australia
| | | | - Robert J. Smits
- Australia Research and Innovation, Australian Pork Limited, Barton, Australia
| | - Roy N. Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
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Ortín-Bustillo A, Botía M, López-Arjona M, Pardo-Marín L, Cerón JJ, Martínez-Subiela S, López-Martínez MJ, Tvarijonaviciute A, Muñoz-Prieto A, Rubio CP, Martínez-Miró S, Escribano D, Tecles F. Saliva Sampling Material Matters: Effects on the Results of Saliva Analysis in Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3757. [PMID: 38136795 PMCID: PMC10741101 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of saliva as a biological sample from pigs is of high practical interest because blood collection from pigs is difficult and stressful. In this study, the influence of two different materials, a cotton roll and a polypropylene sponge, in porcine saliva collection was evaluated. For this purpose, the effect of the material used for sampling was evaluated in a panel of 13 analytes, including those related to stress (cortisol and oxytocin), inflammation and immunity (adenosine deaminase, haptoglobin and myeloperoxidase), redox homeostasis (the cupric reducing ability of saliva, the ferric reducing activity of saliva, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), and sepsis (procalcitonin), as well as other routine analytes related to metabolism and different tissues and organs, such as lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, urea, and total protein concentration. The polypropylene sponge provided a higher sample volume than the cotton roll. Although the results of some salivary analytes were equivalent for both materials, other analytes, such as creatine kinase, haptoglobin and total proteins, showed significant differences depending on the material used for saliva collection. Therefore, the type of material used for salivary collection in pigs should be considered when interpreting the results of analyses of the salivary analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Ortín-Bustillo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - María Botía
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Marina López-Arjona
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain;
| | - Luis Pardo-Marín
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - José J. Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - María José López-Martínez
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Asta Tvarijonaviciute
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Alberto Muñoz-Prieto
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Camila P. Rubio
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
| | - Silvia Martínez-Miró
- Department of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Damián Escribano
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
- Department of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Fernando Tecles
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (A.O.-B.); (M.B.); (L.P.-M.); (J.J.C.); (S.M.-S.); (M.J.L.-M.); (A.T.); (A.M.-P.); (C.P.R.); (F.T.)
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López-Martínez MJ, Ornelas MAS, Amarie RE, Manzanilla EG, Martínez-Subiela S, Tecles F, Tvarijonaviciute A, Escribano D, González-Bulnes A, Cerón JJ, López-Arjona M, Muñoz-Prieto A. Changes in salivary biomarkers of stress, inflammation, redox status, and muscle damage due to Streptococcus suis infection in pigs. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:100. [PMID: 37525237 PMCID: PMC10388462 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03650-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a Gram-positive bacteria that infects pigs causing meningitis, arthritis, pneumonia, or endocarditis. This increases the mortality in pig farms deriving in severe economic losses. The use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid has various advantages compared to blood, especially in pigs. In this study, it was hypothesized that saliva could reflect changes in different biomarkers related to stress, inflammation, redox status, and muscle damage in pigs with S. suis infection and that changes in these biomarkers could be related to the severity of the disease. RESULTS A total of 56 growing pigs from a farm were selected as infected pigs (n = 28) and healthy pigs (n = 28). Results showed increases in biomarkers related to stress (alpha-amylase and oxytocin), inflammation (haptoglobin, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4), total protein, S100A8-A9 and S100A12), redox status (advanced oxidation protein producs (AOPP)) and muscle damage (creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, troponin I, lactate, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase). An increase in adenosine deaminase (ADA), procalcitonin, and aldolase in infected animals were also observed, as previously described. The grade of severity of the disease indicated a significant positive correlation with total protein concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase, aldolase, and AOPP. CONCLUSIONS This report revealed that S. suis infection caused variations in analytes related to stress, inflammation, redox status, and muscle damage in the saliva of pigs and these can be considered potential biomarkers for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José López-Martínez
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Mario Andre S Ornelas
- Pig Development Department, The Irish Food and Agriculture Authority, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Roxana Elena Amarie
- Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Edgar Garcia Manzanilla
- Pig Development Department, The Irish Food and Agriculture Authority, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Fernando Tecles
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Asta Tvarijonaviciute
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Damián Escribano
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Antonio González-Bulnes
- Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Marina López-Arjona
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Alberto Muñoz-Prieto
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
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Escribano D, Contreras-Jodar A, López-Arjona M, Cerón JJ, Fàbrega E, Aymerich P, Dalmau A. Changes in cortisol and cortisone in hair of pigs reared under heat stress conditions. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1156480. [PMID: 37533453 PMCID: PMC10393039 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1156480] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress accounts for millions of dollars in losses for swine producers worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and evaluate cortisol and cortisone in hair as indicators of thermal stress in growing pigs reared under high environmental temperatures. The study was carried out in two independent batches of commercial crosses of Lean Duroc and Pietrain in trials 1 and 2, respectively, during the growing period (from 40 to 100 kg; 81 days in trial 1 and 77 days in trial 2) in the same commercial farm in Spain during the summers of 2020 and 2021. In both cases, four rooms were used. In Trial 1, Room 1 had cooling and 11 pigs per pen; Room 2 had no cooling and 13 pigs per pen; Room 3 had no cooling and 11 pigs per pen, and Room 4 had cooling and 13 pigs per pen. In Trial 2, Rooms 2 and 3 had cooling and rooms 1 and 4 had no cooling, and all of them had 13 pigs per pen. Mean THI value was higher (p < 0.0001) in rooms without cooling systems (75.0 trial 1; 74.9 trial 2) than with them (71.3 trial 1; 71.7 trial 2). A total of four pens per room (16 in total) was selected for analysis of hair corticoids and all pigs inside were sampled at the end of the study. Fifty percent of the pigs were males (castrated and intact in trial 1 and 2, respectively) and 50% females. In total, 44, 52, 44, and 52 pigs, respectively, were sampled in four rooms from the first trial and 52 for each of four rooms in Trial 2. Cortisol concentrations in hair did not show any significant change in relation to cooling-non-cooling in any trial. However, hair cortisone concentration was 172.3 pg./mg and 105.8 pg./mg less (p < 0.001) in pigs housed with cooling systems compared to those without them in Trial 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, the cortisone/cortisol ratio, which is an estimator of the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 2, was also greater in rooms without cooling than in rooms with cooling in both trials (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0105 for Trials 1 and 2, respectively). In relation to the sex effect, the results showed greater levels in females than in castrated males both in cortisone and the cortisol/cortisone ratio while cortisol hair levels were greater in intact males than in females. Therefore, the use of cortisone and the estimation of 11β-HSD type 2 activity in hair is recommended to evaluate the chronic stress produced by high environmental conditions in pigs instead of using hair cortisol concentrations alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Escribano
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Animal Production, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Marina López-Arjona
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Liu P, Zhang Y, Tang H, Wang Y, Sun X. Prevalence of Streptococcus suis in pigs in China during 2000–2021: A systematic review and meta-analysis. One Health 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
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Different Types of Glucocorticoids to Evaluate Stress and Welfare in Animals and Humans: General Concepts and Examples of Combined Use. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13010106. [PMID: 36677031 PMCID: PMC9865266 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The main glucocorticoids involved in the stress response are cortisol and cortisone in most mammals and corticosterone in birds and rodents. Therefore, these analytes are currently the biomarkers more frequently used to evaluate the physiological response to a stressful situation. In addition, "total glucocorticoids", which refers to the quantification of various glucocorticoids by immunoassays showing cross-reactivity with different types of glucocorticoids or related metabolites, can be measured. In this review, we describe the characteristics of the main glucocorticoids used to assess stress, as well as the main techniques and samples used for their quantification. In addition, we analyse the studies where at least two of the main glucocorticoids were measured in combination. Overall, this review points out the different behaviours of the main glucocorticoids, depending on the animal species and stressful stimuli, and shows the potential advantages that the measurement of at least two different glucocorticoid types can have for evaluating welfare.
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Rachidi F, Wagner R, Fieseler H, Kaiser M, Müller H, Podpečan O, Mielenz N, Gottschalk J, Einspanier A, Möbius G, Baumgartner W, Starke A. Effect of a targeted pain management protocol for the treatment of dermatitis interdigitalis contagiosa in Merino meat sheep in a tilt squeeze chute. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.1021039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe effect of a targeted pain management protocol consisting of sedation and local anesthesia on the stress response to treatment of dermatitis interdigitalis contagiosa (DINCO) was assessed in sheep placed in dorsal recumbency.MethodsBlood cortisol concentrations were measured once a day (Day -3 to 2) and additionally on day 0, six times during the claw treatment (stress model). Twelve healthy sheep (control group; HEALTHY) and 36 sheep with DINCO, randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups, underwent the stress model with or without pain control: the XYLA-IVRA sheep were sedated with 2% xylazine hydrochloride (XYLA) and received retrograde intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA); the IVRA sheep underwent IVRA and received a placebo instead of sedation; the PLACEBO sheep received placebos for sedation and IVRA. The HEALTHY sheep underwent sham claw treatment and received placebos.Results and discussionThe cortisol concentrations were higher in sheep restrained in dorsal recumbency compared with the cortisol concentrations measured four hours later in standing sheep (HEALTHY 37.2 ± 3.3 ng/ml vs. 18.5 ± 3.3 ng/ml; DISEASED 34.0 ± 1.9 ng/ml vs. 17.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The stress response of XYLA-IVRA (area under the curve; AUC = 34.9 ± 2.6 ng/ml) was reduced compared with the stress response of PLACEBO (AUC = 48.0 ± 2.6 ng/ml, p < 0.01) and HEALTHY sheep (AUC = 46.6 ± 2.5 ng/ml; p = 0.01). While cortisol concentration of XYLA-IVRA and HEALTHY sheep did not increase one day after the stress model (Day 1) compared with the day of the stress model (Day 0), both PLACEBO (47.4 ± 3.3 vs. 35.6 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p = 0.02) and IVRA sheep (39.1 ± 2.8 vs. 28.6 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p = 0.01) had higher cortisol concentrations. The results confirm that fixation in dorsal recumbency in a tilt squeeze chute was a major stressor in sheep. The differences in the cortisol concentration of the PLACEBO sheep versus the XYLA-IVRA sheep during and after the stress model illustrate the effect and necessity of pain management protocols in practice.
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Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J, Ramírez LL, Ortín A, Ramis G, Romar R, Coy P. Differences in Weight, Hierarchy, and Incidence of Lameness between Two Groups of Adult Pigs Derived from Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243578. [PMID: 36552498 PMCID: PMC9774099 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243578] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro production (IVP) and subsequent transfer of embryos (ET) to recipient mothers is not yet an established reproductive technology in the pig industry, as it is in cattle. However, that the trade of IVP-cryopreserved pig embryos is expected to start in the next decades. Society and governments are increasingly aware of the repercussions that IVP could have for animal health, welfare, behavior, or food safety, but proven scientific information for this type of animal does not exist, since no colonies of pigs have been created to this end. We created a small one and studied the differences between 16 IVP-derived pigs and 14 pigs derived from artificial insemination (AI), at 3.5 years of age, conceived from the same boar, and housed and fed under the same conditions since they were born. Incidence of lameness, position in the herd hierarchy, weight, adenosine deaminase activity, and hematological and biochemical analytes were compared between the two groups of animals. The results showed that the IVP animals weighed more, occupied higher positions in the herd hierarchy, and had a lower incidence of lameness. Although genetic differences from the maternal line could explain some of these results, it is also possible that the IVP animals developed better adaptative abilities, but more studies with a higher number of animals are necessary to reach consistent conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Lisette L. Ramírez
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Alba Ortín
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Guillermo Ramis
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Romar
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Coy
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence:
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