Preliminary investigations of behavioural and physiological responses to castration in horses

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
R. A. Eager ◽  
J. Price ◽  
E. Welsh ◽  
N. K. Waran
Keyword(s):  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
Recent Debate ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Pain Responses

Behavioural responses to pain are highly species specific and reflect varying strategies for survival. As prey animals, horses may fail to show obvious pain responses, instead masking pain to reduce predation through selection as the weakest of a group (Anil et al., 2002). Price et al. (2002) identified disagreement amongst vets regarding pain assessment and management in horses. This was highlighted by recent debate concerning the existence of post-castration pain and the necessity for analgesia in equines (e.g., Capner 2001; Green 2001). While optimal assessment and management of pain is an important equine welfare issue, the behaviours of horses in response to pain are poorly defined (Raekallio et al. 1997) and the relevance of physiological indicators not confirmed. Palpation or human interaction tests, used in other species (e.g. Holton et al 1998), have yet to be validated in horses. This study aimed to identify and quantify potential behavioural indicators of post-castration pain in horses.

scholarly journals Alarm calls elicit predator-specific physiological responses

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 623-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill M. Mateo
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Alarm Calls ◽  
Cortisol Response ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Cortisol Responses ◽  
Cortisol Increase ◽  
Physiological Reactions ◽  
Very High

Glucocorticoids regulate glucose concentrations and responses to unpredictable events, while also modulating cognition. Juvenile Belding's ground squirrels ( Urocitellus beldingi ) learn to respond to whistle and trill alarm calls, warning of aerial and terrestrial predators, respectively, shortly after emerging from natal burrows at one month of age. Alarm calls can cause physiological reactions and arousal, and this arousal, coupled with watching adult responses, might help juveniles learn associations between calls and behavioural responses. I studied whether young show differential cortisol responses to alarm and non-alarm calls, using playbacks of U. beldingi whistles, trills, squeals (a conspecific control vocalization) and silent controls. Trills elicited very high cortisol responses, and, using an individual's response to the silent control as baseline, only their response to a trill was significantly higher than baseline. This cortisol increase would provide glucose for extended vigilance and escape efforts, which is appropriate for evading terrestrial predators which hunt for long periods. Although whistles do not elicit a cortisol response, previous research has shown that they do result in bradycardia, which enhances attention and information processing. This is a novel demonstration of two physiological responses to two alarm calls, each appropriate to the threats represented by the calls.

scholarly journals Positive Human Contact and Housing Systems Impact the Responses of Piglets to Various Stressors

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1619
Author(s):  
Megan E. Hayes ◽  
Lauren M. Hemsworth ◽  
Rebecca S. Morrison ◽  
Alan J. Tilbrook ◽  
Paul H. Hemsworth
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Lower Intensity ◽  
Oral Vaccination ◽  
Escape Behaviour ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Iron Administration ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Piglet Growth

This experiment studied the effects of lactation housing systems and human interaction on piglets’ responses to routine stressors. Forty litters of piglets were reared in either a standard farrowing crate (FC) or a loose farrowing and lactation pen (LP; PigSAFE pen) and received either routine contact with humans (C) or regular opportunities for positive human contact (+HC; 3 min of patting, stroking and scratching 5 times/week). Behavioural and physiological responses to routine husbandry procedures, weaning, novelty and humans were studied in addition to effects on piglet growth, injuries and survival. Compared to C piglets, +HC piglets vocalised for shorter durations (p = 0.018) during husbandry procedures and showed a lower intensity of escape behaviour during iron injection (p = 0.042) and oral vaccination (p = 0.026) at 3 d of age, capture at 2 wk of age (p < 0.001), and intramuscular vaccination (p = 0.005) at 3 wk of age. +HC piglets at 2 wk of age were faster than C piglets to approach (p = 0.048) and interact (p = 0.042) with a stationary unfamiliar human. Compared to LP piglets, FC piglets showed a lower intensity of escape behaviour during capture and iron administration by a stockperson at 3 d of age (p = 0.043). FC piglets at 2 wk of age were faster than LP piglets to approach (p = 0.005) and interact (p = 0.027) with a novel object and approach (p = 0.009) and interact (p = 0.008) with an unfamiliar human. FC piglets had fewer injuries than LP piglets at 2 wk of age (p = 0.004). +HC pigs had fewer injuries than C pigs after weaning (p = 0.003). After weaning there were more pigs from LP than FC observed to be upright (both stationary, p = 0.002 and walking, p = 0.024), vocalizing (p = 0.004), nosing another pig (p = 0.035) and nosing the pen floor (p = 0.038). There were no significant effects on neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios or plasma cortisol concentrations 1.5 h after weaning. However, 25 h after weaning +HC pigs had higher haptoglobin concentrations than C pigs (p = 0.002), and C/LP pigs had higher cortisol concentrations than +HC/LP and C/FC pigs (p = 0.012). There were no significant effects on piglet growth, the number of piglets born alive or the number stillborn, however there were more piglets weaned from FC than LP (p = 0.035). The results from this experiment raise questions that require further research on the ability of pigs reared in loose pens to cope with stressors such as exposure to humans, novelty, husbandry procedures and weaning. This experiment also provides evidence that regular positive human interaction reduces pigs’ fear of humans and husbandry procedures imposed by stockpeople. More research is required to determine if any of these effects are sustained long-term.

Contemplating the Five Domains model of animal welfare assessment: UK horse owner perceptions of equine well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
KA Fletcher ◽  
LJ Cameron ◽  
M Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Sentient Beings ◽  
Horse Owners

Traditionally, assessment of animal welfare generally focused on physiological signs of health with less consideration of psychological well-being. More recently, the Five Domains model highlighted the concept of all aspects of an animal's life influencing their affective state. In equestrianism, however, there is a lack of awareness of the Five Domains model and, specifically, how different factors may affect the mental well-being of horses (Equus caballus). This divide between scientific research and lay horse owners could compromise equine welfare by failing to recognise horses as sentient beings with species-specific needs. The present study therefore aimed to explore how evidence-based information can be effectively communicated to equestrians (n = 259) through an online survey and whether increased knowledge of equine welfare needs has any impact on horse caregivers' assessment of their own horses' quality of life. Results showed that a simple educational infographic based on the Five Domains model had a significant impact on equestrians' assessment of equine welfare, although longitudinal, empirical studies are needed. Scores on a Likert scale for health, behaviour/human interactions and overall welfare were significantly lower following the intervention but scores for emotional well-being were significantly higher. This may suggest that, whilst the infographic increased participant awareness of the importance of emotional state and the factors affecting welfare, there were difficulties or inconsistencies in objectively assessing these emotions. This highlights the need for equine welfare science to be communicated more proactively to horse owners in an accessible, engaging format.

scholarly journals  Pain in domestic animals and how to assess it: a review

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Landa
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Adult Humans ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
General Signs ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Pain Recognition

&nbsp;In recent years more attention has been paid to the issue of pain in animals, particularly in association with increasing awareness of animal welfare. It is therefore necessary for veterinarians to be able recognise unambiguously whether an animal suffers from pain. Adult humans suffering from pain can more or less characterise their painful experiences, including the site and intensity of the pain. However, pain in animals is in some aspects more complex and it can be rather difficult to evaluate the seriousness and impact of painful events. Therefore, in animals we have to recognise the signs of pain according to indirect markers which involve behavioural, physiological and finally clinical responses. Moreover, in particular the behavioural changes associated with pain can be along with the general signs also species-specific, and hardly recognisable (and for an inexperienced observer seemingly unimportant) which makes pain assessment even more complicated. Therefore, the current review formulates definitions of pain, its classification and is focused on methods that may facilitate pain recognition in animals, which is crucial for an effective pain assessment and consequent effective pain management. The review combines recent knowledge with well proven facts concerning pain and furthermore also highlights the author&rsquo;s own research on pain assessment. &nbsp; &nbsp;

scholarly journals The role of carbon dioxide in nematode behaviour and physiology

Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (8) ◽  
pp. 841-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navonil Banerjee ◽  
Elissa A. Hallem
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Neural Circuit ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sensory Cue ◽  
Context Dependent

AbstractCarbon dioxide (CO2) is an important sensory cue for many animals, including both parasitic and free-living nematodes. Many nematodes show context-dependent, experience-dependent and/or life-stage-dependent behavioural responses to CO2, suggesting that CO2 plays crucial roles throughout the nematode life cycle in multiple ethological contexts. Nematodes also show a wide range of physiological responses to CO2. Here, we review the diverse responses of parasitic and free-living nematodes to CO2. We also discuss the molecular, cellular and neural circuit mechanisms that mediate CO2 detection in nematodes, and that drive context-dependent and experience-dependent responses of nematodes to CO2.

Effects of different monochromatic LED light colours on fear reactions and physiological responses in Mulard ducks

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radi A. Mohamed ◽  
Usama A. Abou-Ismail ◽  
Mustafa Shukry
Keyword(s):  
Tonic Immobility ◽  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Monochromatic Light ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Total Leukocyte Count ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
And Performance

Although the effects of monochromatic light on behaviour and performance of birds have been extensively studied, it is not known how rearing Mulard ducks in different monochromatic lights affects their fear reactions, physiological responses to stress and welfare. A total of 108 newly hatched Mulard ducks, representing three replicates, were housed in either blue light (BL), green light (GL), red light (RL) or white light (WL) for 12 weeks. Ducks were exposed to a light/dark schedule of 23 L/1 D, and food and water were provided ad libitum. At the beginning of the 13th week of the rearing period, behavioural measurements of fear were assessed by using a tonic immobility test, open field test and fear of man test. Physiological responses of the birds to stress such as heterophil : lymphocyte ratio, total leukocyte count and plasma concentrations of corticosterone were also assessed. Results demonstrated that birds exposed to both RL and WL displayed higher levels of behavioural indicators of fear including tonic immobility durations (P < 0.01), latency to first immobilisation (P < 0.001) and avoidance of man index (P < 0.001), and higher levels of physiological indicators of stress such as heterophil : lymphocyte ratios (P < 0.001) and plasmas concentrations of corticosterone (P < 0.001), and lower total leukocytic counts (P < 0.01) compared with birds exposed to either BL or GL. Rearing Mulard ducks in BL or GL appeared to reduce their fear reactions and physiological responses to stress and to enhance their ability to cope with the environment and may therefore improve their welfare.

Acute behavioural responses to tail docking in piglets – Effects of increasing docking length?

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-186
Author(s):  
Mette S. Herskin ◽  
Pierpaolo Di Giminiani ◽  
Birthe M. Damgaard ◽  
Karen Thodberg
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Neuroma Formation ◽  
Production Conditions ◽  
Pain Responses

AbstractBackground and aimTail docking has been suggested as an animal model of neuropathy and pain based on findings of relations between the degree of neuroma formation and the docking length. We examined effects of docking length on behaviour of piglets during and 6 h after tail docking.MethodsPiglets were tail docked 2–4 d post-partum. We used 53 piglets and four treatments: intact (I), removal of either 25 (Q), 50 (H) or 75% (T) of the tail. The piglets were kept with sow and littermates under production conditions, and docked using a gas-heated instrument. Behaviour was observed during docking and for the following 6 h.ResultsTail docking led to behavioural changes, the magnitude of which to some extend depended on docking length. Increased docking length led to increased intra-procedural vocalization score (0, 0.6 ± 0.2, 1.4 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.2 for I, Q, H and T, respectively, P<0.001). In the initial 6h, increased docking length led to increased time spent in the heated creep area (2 ± 1%, 15 ± 6%, 18±8% and 30±6% for I, Q, H and T, respectively; P<0.05). Piglet posture was affected as well, showing that increased docking length led to decreased lying (71 ± 2%, 68 ± 2%, 61 ± 2% and 61 ± 2% for I, Q, H and T, respectively, P<0.01) and increased time spent active (24 ± 2%, 23 ± 2%, 32 ± 2% and 30 ± 3% for I, Q, H and T, respectively, P< 0.05). Pain specific behaviours such as trembling or tail flicking were registered and occurred in 5 ± 1% and 9 ± 1% of observations. However, no effects of docking length could be shown.ConclusionsPiglets responded behaviourally to tail docking. Increasing docking length led to increased pain responses such as intra-procedural vocalizations, hiding behaviour and reduced rest, indicative of increased pain. These results confirm earlier reports suggesting that tail docking might be suitable as an animal model for neuropathy and pain.

scholarly journals Defence behaviour of reindeer in response to flying parasitic Diptera

Rangifer ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Karter ◽  
Ivar Folstad
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Species ◽  
Attack Angle ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Defence Responses ◽  
Defence Behaviour ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Cephenemyia Trompe ◽  
Hypoderma Tarandi

<p>Similar defence behaviours were exhibited by a reindeer when experimentally exposed to three different species of tethered, flying parasitic Diptera, Cephenemyia trompe (Modeer), Hypoderma tarandi (L) and Tabanid. Defencive behavioural responses appeared to be related to attack angle, and were not elicited by auditory stimuli. These observations raise questions about the validity of parasite species-specific defence responses in reindeer.</p><p>Forsvars-adferd hos rein angrepet av flyvende, parasittiske diptera.</p><p>Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Likeartet forsvars-adferd ble utvist av en rein som ble eksperimentelt utsatt for tre forskjellige arter av bundne, flyvende parasittiske diptera, Cephenemyia trompe (Modeer), Hypoderma tarandi (L) og Tabanid. Den forsvarsmessige adferd syntes &aring; ha sammenheng med parasittenes angreps-vinkel og ble ikke utl&oslash;st av lydstimuli. Disse observasjoner reiser sp&oslash;rsm&aring;l om gyldigheten av parasitt&aelig;re artsspesifikke forsvarsreaksjoner hos rein.</p><p>Poron puolustusk&agrave;ytt&agrave;ytyminen lent&agrave;vi&agrave; kaksisiipisi&agrave; (Diptera) hy&ocirc;nteisi&agrave; vastaan.</p><p>Abstract in Finnish / Yhteenveto: Poro k&agrave;ytt&agrave;ytyi samalla tavalla kun se joutui tekemisiin kolmen kiinniolevan lent&agrave;v&acirc;n kaksisiipisen hy&ocirc;nteisen: saulakan {Cephenemyia trompe Modeer), kurumupaarman {Hypoderma tarandi L) ja parman kanssa. Puolustusk&agrave;ytt&agrave;ytyminen riippui hy&ocirc;nteisen l&agrave;hestymiskulv&agrave;t kysymyksi&agrave; lajispesifisen puolustusk&agrave;ytt&agrave;ytymisen esiintymisest&agrave; proolla hy&ocirc;nteisi&agrave; vastaan.</p>

On reification of mental illness: Historical and conceptual issues from Emil Kraepelin and Eugen Bleuler to DSM-5

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Hoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Recent Debate ◽  
Neurobiological Research ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
New Research ◽  
Scientific Value

Reification is the assumption that mental illnesses exist independent of the observer’s conceptualization. The present debate usually addresses naturalistic reification, i.e., the definition of mental illness as an empirically detectable neurobiological dysfunction. This chapter discusses Kraepelin’s and Bleuler’s views on nosology and the position of current operationalized diagnoses (DSM-5, ICD-10), delineating recent debate on the relevance of new research technologies.There are two main conclusions: (1) “Mental illness” always refers to a concept, not to a given thing. This does not reduce the scientific value of neurobiological research: If subjective and interpersonal phenomena are acknowledged although they do not fit into a strictly naturalistic framework, sound neurobiological research will be promoted, not hampered. (2) Diagnostic and therapeutic processes in psychiatry require human interaction, so any model of mental illness must address interpersonality. Recent phenomenological concepts support this view and it seems particularly promising to reevaluate the philosophical approaches of Kant and Fichte in this respect.

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