Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Dairy Cows: A Cross-Sectional Exploration of Associations with Animal, Stockperson, and Farm Characteristics

To date, little is known about influences on cows’ physiological stress levels on farms. The present study explored associations of fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations (FCM) with (1) farm factors including human–animal contact, (2) cows’ fear behaviors towards humans, and (3) milk production and udder health, involving 25 dairy farms and repeated fecal samples (n = 2625) from 674 focal cows. Farm factors via interviews and observations, avoidance distance (AD) and qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) during a human–animal interaction were recorded. Milk yield and somatic cell scores (SCS) were calculated from milk recordings. Levels of FCMs were in general relatively low. No associations with AD and milk yield could be detected. Correlations between FCMs and QBA and SCS were significant, but on a low level. Against expectations, FCMs were higher, when the farm provided concentrates by hand and habituated heifers to milking, in part possibly due to reversed cause–effect relations. Decreased FCM levels were found on farms that did not separate diseased cows, possibly due to the avoidance of social stress following changes in group structure. Additionally, straw yards compared to raised cubicles and generous compared to suboptimal lying space were associated with decreased levels, underlining the importance of comfort around resting. Moreover, FCMs were decreased with increased human contact time per cow. The different associations detected in this study provide a basis for further experimental investigations that moreover might provide insights into causal relationships.

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Associations between Dairy Herds’ Qualitative Behavior and Aspects of Herd Health, Stockperson and Farm Factors—A Cross-Sectional Exploration

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12020182 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 182

Author(s):

Asja Ebinghaus ◽

Katharina Matull ◽

Ute Knierim ◽

Silvia Ivemeyer

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Affective State ◽

Principal Component ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Environment ◽

Qualitative Behavior ◽

Herd Health ◽

Farm Animal Welfare ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Animal

The affective state is an integrated aspect of farm animal welfare, which is understood as the animals’ perception of their living environment and of their internal biological functioning. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore animal-internal and external factors potentially influencing dairy cows’ affective state. For this purpose, qualitative behavior assessments (QBA) describing the animals’ body language were applied at herd level on 25 dairy farms. By means of principal component analysis (PCA), scores of PC1 (QBAscores) were determined for further analyses. From monthly milk recordings (MR) one year retrospectively, prevalences of udder and metabolic health impairments were calculated. Factors of housing, management, and human-animal contact were recorded via interviews and observations. A multivariable regression was calculated following a univariable preselection of factors. No associations were found between MR indicators and QBAscores. However, more positive QBAscores were associated with bedded cubicles or straw yards compared to raised cubicles, increased voluntary stockperson contact with the cows, and fixation of cows during main feeding times, the latter contributing to the explanatory model, but not being significant. These results underline the importance of lying comfort, positive human-animal relationship and reduction of competition during feeding for the well-being of dairy cows.

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Stress hormone level and the welfare of captive European bison (Bison bonasus): the effects of visitor pressure and the social structure of herds

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica ◽

10.1186/s13028-021-00589-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Klich ◽

Rafał Łopucki ◽

Marta Gałązka ◽

Agnieszka Ścibior ◽

Dorota Gołębiowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Structure ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Active Role ◽

European Bison ◽

Bison Bonasus ◽

Fecal Cortisol ◽

In Captivity ◽

Parasitic Burden ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

Study Sites

Abstract Background Captive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare. The effect of the presence of visitors on the welfare of captive animals can be negative, positive or neutral. However, the response of a given species to visitors is difficult to predict, since even closely related species display varying levels of tolerance to captivity. The aim of the study was to compare immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels (regarded as an indicator of the level of physiological stress) in groups of captive European bison that differed in terms of their social structure and the level of visitor pressure. The second aim was to determine if there was a correlation between intestinal parasitic burden and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Results Immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels were not influenced by sex or age. However, study site and the interaction between study site and visitor pressure were statistically significant. European bison in one enclosure presented higher levels of immunoreactive fecal cortisol on weekdays than at weekends. In the other two study sites, the levels did not differ between weekdays and weekends. No correlation was found between parasitological infestation and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Conclusions Measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites could be a valuable method for further research into the welfare of European bison in captivity. More subtle factors such as individual animal characteristics, feeding systems, and the arrangement of enclosures can be of great importance in terms of the effect of visitors on animals. The results of this study can be used in guidelines for the management of European bison populations.

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The Role of Family Influence and Academic Satisfaction on Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Happiness

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5919

Author(s):

Orhan Koçak ◽

Namık Ak ◽

Sezer Seçkin Erdem ◽

Mehmet Sinan ◽

Mustafa Z. Younis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Work Experience ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Social Stress ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Career Decision ◽

Family Influence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Holistic View ◽

Academic Satisfaction

Careers are a reality of life that need to be considered as multi-dimensional in today’s modern societies. Choosing a career is a complex process that coincides with high school and university ages, creating psycho-social stress. Considering the literature, the effects of different environmental factors have been revealed in separate studies. This study examines both individual and environmental factors together. By adopting a quantitative research method, we collected cross-sectional data through online questionnaires from 1130 university students. The association of family influence and academic satisfaction with happiness through career decision self-efficacy was meaningful using gender, age, income, and parents’ education as control variables. Family influence and academic satisfaction were positively correlated with career decision self-efficacy and happiness. In conclusion, we found that family influence and support, students’ work, and academic satisfaction are positively significant in terms of the career process and happiness. It was understood that the career reality should be considered with a holistic view that includes family, school, and work experience.

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The Perceived Impact of The First UK Covid-19 Lockdown on Companion Animal Welfare and Behaviour: A Mixed-Method Study of Associations with Owner Mental Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6171

Author(s):

Emily Shoesmith ◽

Luciana Santos de Assis ◽

Lion Shahab ◽

Elena Ratschen ◽

Paul Toner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Principal Component ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Free Text ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Animal

Background: Companion animals may be a positive presence for their owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the welfare of a companion animal is strongly influenced by the behaviour of their owners, as well as their physical and social environment. We aimed to investigate the reported changes in companion animal welfare and behaviour and to examine the association between these changes and companion animal owners’ mental health. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of UK residents over 18 years of age was conducted between April and June 2020 (n = 5926). The questionnaire included validated, bespoke items measuring outcomes related to mental health, human-animal bonds and reported changes in animal welfare and behaviour. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe experiences associated with human-animal relationships during the first UK lockdown phase. Results: Animal owners made up 89.8% of the sample (n = 5323), of whom 67.3% reported changes in their animal’s welfare and behaviour during the first lockdown phase (n = 3583). These reported changes were reduced to a positive (0–7) and negative (0–5) welfare scale, following principal component analysis (PCA) of 17 items. Participants reported more positive changes for cats, whereas more negative changes were reported for dogs. Thematic analysis identified three main themes relating to the positive and negative impact on companion animals of the Covid-19 pandemic. Generalised linear models indicated that companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores pre-lockdown reported fewer negative changes in animal welfare and behaviour. However, companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores since lockdown reported more changes, both positive and negative, in animal welfare and behaviour. Conclusion: Our findings extend previous insights into perceived welfare and behaviour changes on a very limited range of species to a wider a range of companion animals. Owner mental health status has a clear, albeit small, effect on companion animal welfare and behaviour.

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Responses to social evaluative stress in regular cannabis smokers

Journal of Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/0269881120972337 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026988112097233

Author(s):

Richard J Xia ◽

Thomas Chao ◽

Divya Patel ◽

Gillinder Bedi

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Social Stress ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Mood States ◽

Residual Effects ◽

Subjective Response ◽

Negative Mood States ◽

Stress Responding

Background: Aspects of the canonical stress response differ in stimulant, opioid, and alcohol users relative to controls, and dysregulated responses to stress may contribute to continued use of these drugs. Little prior research has focused on stress responses in regular cannabis smokers. We assessed responses to a standardized laboratory social stress assay (the Trier Social Stress Task; TSST) in regular cannabis smokers (CANs) compared with controls (CONs). Methods: Healthy, non-treatment-seeking adult CANs (⩾4×/week; smoking cannabis as usual) and demographically matched CONs completed the TSST. Outcome measures were subjective mood, heart rate, and salivary cortisol. Results: Nineteen CANs (1 female) and 20 CONs (2 female) participated; groups were matched on trauma exposure, sex, race, and age. CANs smoked cannabis 6.4 ± 1.1 days/week. Eight CANs and one CON smoked tobacco cigarettes daily. Overall, the TSST produced expected increases in anxiety, negative mood states, cortisol, and heart rate. CANs had blunted subjective response to stress relative to CONs, but they did not differ in physiological (cortisol and cardiovascular) stress responding. Conclusion: These results indicate that CANs have blunted mood responses to social stress, but normative physiological stress responding. Observed differences could be due to residual effects of cannabis, reluctance to endorse negative mood states, or to issues related to identifying (i.e., emotional identification) or feeling (i.e., interoception) stress-related affective states. Further research is warranted to characterize the mechanisms of these differences and assess implications for daily functioning and treatment outcomes.

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249 Overnight heart rate variability depends on age, gender, and day of the week: a field observation using a smart bed platform

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.248 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A100-A101

Author(s):

Shawn Barr ◽

Kwanghyun Sohn ◽

Gary Garcia

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Level ◽

Large Set ◽

Sleep State ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Day Of The Week ◽

Broad Interest

Abstract Introduction Heart rate variability (HRV) is commonly used to assess the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). ANS function changes, reflected in HRV, result from factors including lifestyle, aging, cardiorespiratory illnesses, sleep state, and physiological stress. Despite broad interest in HRV, few studies have established normative overnight HRV values for a large population. To better understand population level HRV changes, ecologically-valid, overnight sleep SDNN (standard deviation of all normal heartbeat intervals, lower HRV is reflected by lower SDNN) values have been analyzed for a large sample of Sleep Number 360 smart bed users. Methods Overnight SDNN values were obtained over the course of 18.2M sleep sessions from 379,225 sleepers (48 ± 14.7 sessions/user). 50.9 percent of sleepers were female. The age was normally distributed with mean ± SD of 52.8 ± 12.7 years (range 21 to 84). Heartbeat intervals used to compute SDNN were extracted from a ballistocardiogram (BCG). BCG-based HRV estimation during sleep has previously been validated against ECG-based HRV with an R-square of 0.5. Results Using a Generalized Linear Model, significant cross-sectional associations with SDNN were observed for three variables of interest: age, gender, and day-of-the-week. For sleepers under 50, SDNN declined at a rate of about 2.1 ms/year, then leveled off for sleepers aged 50-65, and increased slightly thereafter. Women under 50 displayed lower, more slowly declining, SDNN values than men, but this trend reversed for sleepers over 50. Throughout the week, SDNN values followed a U-shaped (women) or L-shaped (men) pattern, where values were highest during the weekend and lowest at mid-week. Conclusion Using a smart bed to unobtrusively measure overnight SDNN values for a large set of sleepers in an ecologically valid environment, reveals significant effects of age, gender, and day of the week on overnight SDNN. Support (if any):

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Experimental Investigations of Interactions between Sand Wave Movements, Flow Structure, and Individual Aquatic Plants in Natural Rivers: A Case Study of Potamogeton Pectinatus L.

Water ◽

10.3390/w10091166 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1166 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Łukasz Przyborowski ◽

Anna Łoboda ◽

Robert Bialik

Keyword(s):

Flow Velocity ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Potamogeton Pectinatus ◽

Sand Wave ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bending Tests ◽

Long Duration ◽

Elevation Changes

Long-duration measurements were performed in two sandy bed rivers, and three-dimensional (3D) flow velocity and bottom elevation changes were measured in a vegetated area and in a clear region of a river. Detailed flow velocity profiles downstream and upstream of a single specimen of Potamogeton pectinatus L. were obtained and the bed morphology was assessed. Potamogeton plants gathered from each river were subjected to tensile and bending tests. The results show that the existence of the plants was influenced by both bottom and flow conditions, as the plants were located where water velocity was lower by 12% to 16% in comparison to clear region. The characteristics of the flow and sand forms depended on the cross-sectional arrangement of the river, e.g., dunes were approximately four times higher in the middle of the river than in vegetated regions near the bank. Furthermore, the studied hydrophytes were too sparse to affect water flow and had no discernible impact on the sand forms’ movements. The turbulent kinetic energy downstream of a single plant was reduced by approximately 25%. Additionally, the plants’ biomechanical characteristics and morphology were found to have adjusted to match the river conditions.

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Social Hierarchy Effects on Stress Responses of Subordinate Specimens in Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)

10.20944/preprints202111.0094.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Dioguardi ◽

Mirella Vazzana ◽

Mariano Dara ◽

Irene Vazzana ◽

Davide Accardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Phagocytic Activity ◽

Social Stress ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Sparus Aurata ◽

Principal Component ◽

Social Hierarchy ◽

Sea Bream ◽

Stress Markers ◽

Environmental Variations

Abstract: Social stress can affect the ability of the fish to respond to various stressors, such as pathogens or environmental variations. In this paper, the effects of social stress on gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated. To study the effects of physiological stress, we evaluated biochemical and cellular parameters as cortisol, glucose, lactate, osmolarity and phagocytosis 24 hours after the establishment of social hierarchy. Social hierarchy was determined and characterised by behavioural observation (aggressive acts and feeding order) of the specimens (dominant “α”, subordinate “β” and “γ”). After the establishment of the social hierarchy, we observed that the levels of plasma cortisol and other biochemical stress markers (glucose and lactate) were higher in subordinate individuals than in dominant ones. In addition, the modulation of phagocytic activity of the peritoneal cavity cells (PEC) demonstrated that social stress appeared to affect the immune response. At last, principal component analysis clearly separated the subordinate fish groups from the dominant groups based on stress markers and phagocytic activity of the peritoneal exudates cells.

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Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout in Athletic Training Students: A Comparison of Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Athletic Training Education Journal ◽

10.4085/1947-380x-20-22 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 101-111

Author(s):

Ashlyne Paige Vineyard ◽

Andrew Gallucci ◽

Kathleen Adair ◽

Leslie Oglesby ◽

Kristina White ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Athletic Training ◽

Social Stress ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Athletic Training Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Survey Responses

Context Burnout is a psychological syndrome consisting of increased emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and decreased personal accomplishment (PA). To date, examinations of burnout among athletic training students (ATS) is limited. Objective To determine prevalence and antecedents of burnout among ATS. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants Students enrolled in athletic training programs (ATP). Intervention(s) A survey assessed demographics, stressors, and burnout measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey. Main Outcome Measure(s) Multiple regression analyses were used to determine relationships between variables. Results A total of 725 students participated. Most respondents were undergraduates (n = 582, 80%), female (n = 518, 71%), Caucasian (n = 564, 78%), and single (n = 422, 58%). Mean burnout scores for EE, DP, and PA were 33 ± 10, 17 ± 4.5, and 39 ± 5.8, respectively. Survey responses showed that 70.8% of undergraduate and 62.9% of graduate students reported high EE. All the students (100%) in both samples reported high DP. Undergraduates pursuing internships or residencies (b = −7.69, P < .001) and who were currently enrolled in non–Division I institutions (b = −2.90, P < .01) had decreased EE. Increased stress revealed increased EE (overall stress: b = 3.11, P < .001; social stress: b = 1.32, P < .05; class stress: b = 1.45, P < .05). Increases in clinical hours also related to increased EE (b = 1.49, P < .001). Those pursuing internships or residencies (b = −2.10, P < .05) and who were female (b = −2.10, P < .05) reported decreased DP. Being married (b = 2.87, P < .01), increased clinical hours (b = 0.77, P < .001), and social stress (b = 0.59, P < .05) resulted in increased DP. Increased PA was seen in students intending to pursue graduate education (b = 1.76, P < .05) and female students (b = 1.17, P < .05). Graduate students' stress levels revealed increased EE (b = 6.57, P < .01) and DP (b = 0.98, P < .05). Conclusions Differences exist between undergraduate and graduate burnout scores and associated predictors. Further research is needed to identify student responses to burnout.

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Eating Behavior, Stress, and Adiposity: Discordance Between Perception and Physiology

Biological Research For Nursing ◽

10.1177/1099800418779460 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 531-540 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paule V. Joseph ◽

Hannah R. Davidson ◽

Christina M. Boulineaux ◽

Nicolaas H. Fourie ◽

Alexis T. Franks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Behavior ◽

Body Fat ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Principal Component ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Percent Body Fat ◽

Clinical Markers ◽

Cross Sectional

The purpose of the study was to examine the interrelationships among stress, eating behavior, and adiposity in a cohort of normal- and overweight individuals. Clinical markers of physiological stress (fasting serum cortisol) and adiposity (body mass index [BMI] and percent body fat) were obtained from participants selected for a natural history protocol ( n = 107). Self-reported data on eating behavior (using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire subscales such as Cognitive Restraint, Disinhibition, and Hunger) and psychological stress (via the Perceived Stress Scale) were evaluated. Demographic information was incorporated using principal component analysis, which revealed sex- and weight-based differences in stress, adiposity, and eating behavior measures. Following a cross-sectional and descriptive analysis, significant correlations were found between the Disinhibition and Hunger eating behavior subscales and measures of adiposity including BMI ( r = .30, p = .002 and r = .20, p = .036, respectively) and percent body fat ( r = .43, p = .000 and r = .22, p = .022, respectively). Relationships between stress measures and eating behavior were also evident in the analysis. Disinhibition and Hunger correlated positively with perceived stress ( r = .32, p .001 and r = .26, p = .008, respectively). However, Disinhibition varied inversely with serum cortisol levels ( r = −.25, p = .009). Future studies are warranted to better understand this paradox underlying the effects of perceived and physiological stress on eating behavior.

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