scholarly journals Investigating the effects of incremental conditioning and supplemental dietary tryptophan on the voluntary activity and behaviour of mid-distance training sled dogs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve Robinson ◽  
James R. Templeman ◽  
Emma Thornton ◽  
Candace C. Croney ◽  
Lee Niel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Large Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Activity Count ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Sled Dogs

AbstractSerotonin is a neurotransmitter synthesized by the amino acid tryptophan (Trp) that has the potential to impact the behaviour and activity of dogs. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of supplemental Trp and a 12-week incremental training regimen on the voluntary activity and behaviour of client-owned Siberian Huskies. Sixteen dogs were blocked for age, BW and sex and then randomly allocated to either the control or treatment group. Both groups were fed the same dry extruded diet; however, the treatment group were supplemented with Trp to achieve a Trp: large neutral amino acid ratio of 0.075:1. Once a week, a 5-minute video recording was taken immediately pre- and post- exercise to evaluate dogs’ behaviours. Activity monitors were used to record voluntary activity on both training and rest days. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between training week and time spent performing each behaviour. Additionally, a repeated measure mixed model was used to test differences between diet groups and training week for both behavioural and activity count data. The time spent performing agonistic behaviours prior to exercise was negatively associated with week for treatment dogs (β = −0.32, 95% CI [−0.55, −0.10], P < 0.05) and no change was observed for control dogs (β = −0.13, 95% CI [−0.41, 0.15], P > 0.10). Treatment did not have any effect on activity levels (P > 0.10). For all dogs, locomotive behaviours decreased prior to exercise as weeks progressed (P < 0.05), while run day voluntary activity depended on the distance run that day (P < 0.05). These data suggest that sled dogs experience an exercise-induced reduction in voluntary locomotion in response to both single bouts and repetitive bouts of exercise. Additionally, tryptophan supplementation may decrease agonistic behaviours, without having any effect on voluntary activity.

scholarly journals 76 Investigating the effects of increased soluble fiber and incremental exercise on the voluntary physical activity and behaviour of sled dogs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Eve Robinson ◽  
James Templeman ◽  
Emma Thornton ◽  
Candace Croney ◽  
Lee Niel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Soluble Fiber ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Sled Dogs ◽  
Voluntary Physical Activity

Abstract Optimization of the insoluble:soluble fibers in the diets of dogs can improve gastrointestinal health by increasing commensal bacterial growth. A growing body of research suggests that improved gut health can influence behavior via the gut-brain axis. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of an increased soluble fiber diet on the behavior and voluntary activity of actively training, client-owned Siberian huskies. Fourteen dogs were blocked for age, BW and sex and randomly allocated to either the control or treatment groups. The control group was fed a dry extruded diet that contained an insoluble:soluble fiber ratio of 4:1, and the treatment group was fed a dry extruded diet that contained an insoluble:soluble fiber ratio of 3:1. All dogs underwent eight weeks of incremental conditioning where they trained four days a week. Once a week, a 5-minute video recording was taken immediately pre- and post-exercise to evaluate behaviors. Activity monitors were used to record voluntary activity on two rest days and one active day during weeks -1, 1, 4, 5, and 7. All behavioral and physical activity count data were analyzed using a repeated measures mixed model to test for differences between dietary treatments and week. No differences were observed between treatment or control dogs for any behavior or voluntary physical activity levels (P &gt; 0.05); however, all dogs experienced an exercise-induced reduction in locomotive behaviors prior to exercise throughout the 8-week conditioning period (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, all dogs were more active during the second consecutive day of rest relative to the first (P &lt; 0.05). These data suggest that while increased soluble fiber in the diets of sled dogs may not affect their behavior, the exercise-related reduction in activity observed begins to recover within one rest day.

scholarly journals Exercise but Not Supplemental Dietary Tryptophan Influences Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate in Sled Dogs

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Thornton ◽  
James R. Templeman ◽  
Michael Bower ◽  
John P. Cant ◽  
Graham P. Holloway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Large Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Sled Dogs ◽  
Exercise Regimen ◽  
Acid Ratio

Tryptophan (Trp), an indispensable amino acid for dogs, is the precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter with a variety of effects throughout the body, including the ability to modulate cardiac and pulmonary activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week incremental exercise regimen and supplemental dietary Trp on heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) in client-owned sled dogs. Sixteen Siberian huskies were randomly allocated to either treatment or control diet groups. Both groups were fed a control diet (Trp to large neutral amino acid ratio of 0.047:1); however, treatment dogs received a Trp supplement to achieve a Trp to large neutral amino acid ratio of 0.075:1. Every three weeks, external telemetry equipment was used to non-invasively measure and record HR and RR at a resting, working, and post-exercise state in a controlled exercise challenge. A mixed model was used to test differences between diet, activity parameter, and week. Dietary Trp supplementation had no effect on HR or RR. Independent of diet, resting, working, post-exercise HR, and time to recover post-exercise HR decreased from week −1 to week 11 (p < 0.05). Resting HR had the greatest reduction from week −1 to week 11 (21%, p < 0.05). Working RR did not change with exercise (p > 0.10), but rRR and postRR decreased from week −1 to week 11 (p < 0.05). These data suggest that the exercise regimen the dogs were subjected to may have positively impacted the dogs’ capacity to sustain aerobic exercise, whereas Trp supplementation had no effect on HR or RR.

scholarly journals Changes in Behaviour and Voluntary Physical Activity Exhibited by Sled Dogs throughout Incremental Exercise Conditioning and Intermittent Rest Days

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Eve Robinson ◽  
Emma Thornton ◽  
James R. Templeman ◽  
Candace C. Croney ◽  
Lee Niel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Exercise Bout ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Sled Dogs ◽  
Voluntary Physical Activity ◽  
Analyse Data

Participation in repetitive endurance training decreases sled dogs’ voluntary activity and locomotive behaviours; however, the changes in their voluntary physical activity over consecutive rest days has not been examined to assess exercise-recovery. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in behaviour and voluntary activity of sled dogs throughout repetitive incremental conditioning and intermittent rest days. Fourteen dogs (6 males, 8 females; age 3.7 ± 2.7 years; BW 21.5 ± 2.8 kg) underwent 10 weeks of conditioning. Once a week, 5-min video recordings were taken pre- and post-exercise to measure the time spent performing agonistic behaviours, chewing on the gangline, digging, jumping, lunging, posture changing, sitting, standing and lying. Additionally, voluntary physical activity was measured on a day with an exercise bout during baseline, week 4, 5 and 7 and two consecutive rest days during baseline, week 1, 4, 5 and 7. A repeated-measures mixed model was used to analyse data in SAS (v 9.4.). As dogs progressed through their conditioning, the time spent changing posture prior to an exercise bout decreased (p < 0.05), suggesting that dogs may reduce their voluntary locomotive behaviours with increasing exercise. Additionally, dogs were more active during the second consecutive rest day than the first (p < 0.05), suggesting that rest days may provide a short-term recovery period.

scholarly journals Metabolic Adaptations to Dynamic Energy Requirements during Lactation and Pregnancy in Dairy Cows with Varying Proportions of Holstein and Simmental Breed

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Deise Aline Knob ◽  
André Thaler Neto ◽  
Helen Schweizer ◽  
Anna Weigand ◽  
Roberto Kappes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
Genetic Groups

Depending on the breed or crossbreed line, cows have to cope with a more or less severe negative energy balance during the period of high milk yields in early lactation, which can be detected by beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in blood. Preventing cows from undergoing a severe negative energy balance by breeding and/or feeding measures is likely to be supported by the public and may help to improve the sustainability of milk production. The aim was to compare BHBA and NEFA concentrations in the blood of Holstein and Simmental cows and their crosses during the prepartum period until the end of lactation. In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), F1 crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). NEFA and BHBA were evaluated once a week between April 2018 and August 2019. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect on cows was used. Holstein cows had higher NEFAs (0.196 ± 0.013 mmol/L), and Simmental cows had the lowest NEFA concentrations (0.147 ± 0.008 mmol/L, p = 0.03). R1-Sim, F1 and R1-Hol cows had intermediate values (0.166 ± 0.005, 0.165 ± 0.010, 0.162 ± 0.008 mmol/L; respectively). The highest NEFA value was found in the first week after calving (0.49 ± 0.013 mmol/L). BHBA did not differ among genetic groups (p = 0.1007). There was, however, an interaction between the genetic group and week (p = 0.03). While Simmental, R1-Sim and F1 cows had the highest BHBA value, the second week after calving (0.92 ± 0.07 and 1.05 ± 0.04, and 1.10 ± 0.10 mmol/L, respectively), R1-Hol and Holstein cows showed the BHBA peak at the fourth week after calving (1.16 ± 0.07 and 1.36 ± 0.12 mmol/L, respectively). Unexpectedly, Holstein cows had a high BHBA peak again at week 34 after calving (1.68 ± 0.21 mmol/L). The genetic composition of the cows affects NEFA and BHBA. Simmental and R1-Sim cows mobilize fewer body reserves after calving. Therefore, dairy cows with higher degrees of Simmental origin might be more sustainable in comparison with Holstein genetics in the present study.

scholarly journals Rate and Determinants of Excessive Fat-Free Mass Loss After Bariatric Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 3119-3126
Author(s):  
Malou A. H. Nuijten ◽  
Valerie M. Monpellier ◽  
Thijs M. H. Eijsvogels ◽  
Ignace M. C. Janssen ◽  
Eric J. Hazebroek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Post Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Purpose Fat-free mass (FFM) loss is a concerning aspect of bariatric surgery, but little is known about its time-course and factors related with excessive FFM loss. This study examined (i) the progress of FFM loss up to 3 years post-bariatric surgery and (ii) the prevalence and determinants of excessive FFM loss. Materials and Methods A total of 3596 patients (20% males, 43.5 ± 11.1 years old, BMI = 44.2 ± 5.5 kg/m2) underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed preoperatively and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months post-surgery. Changes in body composition were assessed by mixed model analysis. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss (based on three different cutoff values: ≥ 25%, ≥ 30% and ≥ 35% FFM loss/weight loss (= %FFML/WL)) was estimated and its determinants were assessed by linear regression analysis. Results Highest rates of FFM loss were found at 3 and 6 months post-surgery, reflecting 57% and 73% of peak FFM loss, respectively. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss ranged from 14 to 46% at 36 months post-surgery, with an older age (β = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.10–0.18, P < .001), being male (β = 3.99, 95%CI = 2.86–5.12, P < .001), higher BMI (β = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.05–0.20, P = .002) and SG (β = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.36–3.76, P < .001) as determinants for a greater %FFML/WL. Conclusion Patients lost most FFM within 3 to 6 months post-surgery. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss was high, emphasizing the need for more vigorous approaches to counteract FFM loss. Furthermore, future studies should assess habitual physical activity and dietary intake shortly after surgery in relation to FFM loss.

The Efficacy of Skin Cooling for Pain Relief during Intralesional Steroid Injection for Keloid Treatment: A Randomized Cross-Over Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1752-1757
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Skin Cooling ◽  
Intralesional Steroid ◽  
Intralesional Steroid Injection ◽  
Pre Treatment

Objective: To evaluate if pre-treatment skin cooling can reduce the pain during steroid injection. Materials and Methods: A randomized cross-over study was conducted between September 2015 and October 2016. This study received ethical approval ID035904 No. MURA2016/152. Forty-four subjects with keloid that needed intralesional steroid injection were divided into three pretreatment groups, no treatment, skin cooling with ice pack, and skin applying with a mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA®), in random order. Pain intensity was measured by using 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The satisfaction levels were assessed with orderly interval rating scale from 1 to 5. Repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni pairwise comparison were used for data analyses. Results: The mean VAS score at the time of needle puncturing into the skin and during steroid infiltration was statistically significant lower in skin cooling compared to no treatment group (p<0.001) and EMLA group (p<0.05). The satisfaction level was also statistically significant higher in skin cooling compared to no treatment group (p<0.001) and EMLA group (p<0.001). Thirty-seven patients (84%) selected skin cooling method as the most favorable pre-anesthetic method for intralesional steroid injection. Conclusion: Skin cooling with ice before intralesional steroid injection of keloid effectively reduces pain and patients are also satisfied. Keyword: Keloid, Corticosteroid, Pre-treatment, pain, skin cooling

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