scholarly journals Over time Decay of Cortisol Metabolites in Faecal Pellets of Koalas in Central Queensland

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3376
Author(s):  
Flavia Santamaria ◽  
Rolf Schlagloth ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Joerg Henning
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Cortisol Metabolites

Faecal material can be a valuable source of information for a range of animal health aspects and can be used to measure faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs). FCM values can relate to physiological stress responses. However, freshly defecated pellets are not always available and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, might affect faecal pellet consistency and FCM levels. Therefore, the impact of environmental conditions on FCMs needs to be evaluated. We collected 107 pellets from two female and two male koalas, exposed them to three types of treatments, and analysed FCMs in these samples with three enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). After analysis, the original FCM values were mathematically corrected for water loss. Results show that the FCMs were more stable when measured using tetrahydrocorticosterone (50c) and 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one (37e) EIAs, and were less stable when measured with the cortisol EIA. With 50c, the FCM values did not vary significantly over time either before or after the adjustment with water in the environment treatment group. For samples kept under constant low (25 °C) and high (35 °C) temperatures, the 50c FCM values did not vary significantly over time, after adjustments were made for water loss. Thus, this study highlights the importance of considering the suitability of faecal field samples for FCM analysis. Because water loss was the main driver of FCM changes, we strongly recommend collecting koala pellets that are freshly defecated, despite the effort and time it might take to collect such pellets.

Emotions and health: The impact of emotions, emotions regulation, music, and acculturation on health

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Bongard ◽  
Volker Hodapp ◽  
Sonja Rohrmann
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Anger Expression ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Cardiovascular Stress ◽  
Expression Behavior ◽  
Cardio Vascular ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Our unit investigates the relationship of emotional processes (experience, expression, and coping), their physiological correlates and possible health outcomes. We study domain specific anger expression behavior and associated cardio-vascular loads and found e.g. that particularly an open anger expression at work is associated with greater blood pressure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that women may be predisposed for the development of certain mental disorders because of their higher disgust sensitivity. We also pointed out that the suppression of negative emotions leads to increased physiological stress responses which results in a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. We could show that relaxation as well as music activity like singing in a choir causes increases in the local immune parameter immunoglobuline A. Finally, we are investigating connections between migrants’ strategy of acculturation and health and found e.g. elevated cardiovascular stress responses in migrants when they where highly adapted to the German culture.

scholarly journals Effect of tetracycline treatment regimens on antibiotic resistance gene selection over time in nursery pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaare Græsbøll ◽  
Inge Larsen ◽  
Julie Clasen ◽  
Anna Camilla Birkegård ◽  
Jens Peter Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Selection ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Gene ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Nursery Pigs ◽  
Gene Abundance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background The majority of antimicrobials given during the production of pigs are given to nursery pigs. The influence of antimicrobial use on the levels of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) genes is important to quantify to be able to assess the impact of resistance on the food chain and risk to human and animal health. Results This study investigated the response on the levels of nine AMR genes to five different treatment strategies with oxytetracycline, and the dynamics of gene abundance over time by following 1167 pigs from five different farms in Denmark. The results showed no significant difference between treatments and an increase in abundance for the efflux pump encoding tet(A) gene and the genes encoding the ribosomal protection proteins tet(O) and tet(W) tetracycline resistant genes following treatment, while tet(M) showed no response to treatment. However, it was also observed that the levels of tet(O), tet(W), and ermB in some farms would drift more over time compared to a single treatment-course with antibiotic. Conclusion This study underlines the large variation in AMR levels under natural conditions and the need for increased investigation of the complex interactions of antimicrobial treatment and other environmental and managerial practices in swine production on AMR gene abundance.

scholarly journals Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9706
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Voutzourakis ◽  
Alexandros Stefanakis ◽  
Sokratis Stergiadis ◽  
Leonidas Rempelos ◽  
Nikolaos Tzanidakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Intensive Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
The Impact

Due to increasing demand, many traditional, grazing-based Mediterranean sheep production systems have introduced intensified feeding regimes, increased investments in infrastructure and drug use to increase milk yields. However, compared to bovine milk production systems, there is limited knowledge about the impact of these intensification practices on animal welfare and health and on the quality of dairy products. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify the effects of management practices and environmental conditions background on udder health, parasitism and milk quantity and quality in Cretan traditional production systems. Milk yields were higher in semi-intensive production systems while concentrations of several nutritionally desirable compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids were found to be higher in milk from extensive systems. Antibiotic and anthelmintic use was relatively low in both extensive and semi-intensive production systems. There was no substantial difference in parasitic burden, somatic cell counts, and microbiological parameters assessed in milk. Recording of flock health parameters showed that animal health and welfare was high in both extensive and semi-intensively managed flocks, and that overall, the health status of extensively managed ewes was slightly better. In contrast, environmental conditions (temperature and rainfall) had a substantial effect on parasitism and milk quality.

scholarly journals Non-invasive cortisol measurements as indicators of physiological stress responses in guinea pigs

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Nemeth ◽  
Elisabeth Pschernig ◽  
Bernard Wallner ◽  
Eva Millesi
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biological Relevance ◽  
Saliva Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Non-invasive measurements of glucocorticoid (GC) concentrations, including cortisol and corticosterone, serve as reliable indicators of adrenocortical activities and physiological stress loads in a variety of species. As an alternative to invasive analyses based on plasma, GC concentrations in saliva still represent single-point-of-time measurements, suitable for studying short-term or acute stress responses, whereas fecal GC metabolites (FGMs) reflect overall stress loads and stress responses after a species-specific time frame in the long-term. In our study species, the domestic guinea pig, GC measurements are commonly used to indicate stress responses to different environmental conditions, but the biological relevance of non-invasive measurements is widely unknown. We therefore established an experimental protocol based on the animals’ natural stress responses to different environmental conditions and compared GC levels in plasma, saliva, and fecal samples during non-stressful social isolations and stressful two-hour social confrontations with unfamiliar individuals. Plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations were significantly increased directly after the social confrontations, and plasma and saliva cortisol levels were strongly correlated. This demonstrates a high biological relevance of GC measurements in saliva. FGM levels measured 20 h afterwards, representing the reported mean gut passage time based on physiological validations, revealed that the overall stress load was not affected by the confrontations, but also no relations to plasma cortisol levels were detected. We therefore measured FGMs in two-hour intervals for 24 h after another social confrontation and detected significantly increased levels after four to twelve hours, reaching peak concentrations already after six hours. Our findings confirm that non-invasive GC measurements in guinea pigs are highly biologically relevant in indicating physiological stress responses compared to circulating levels in plasma in the short- and long-term. Our approach also underlines the importance of detailed investigations on how to use and interpret non-invasive measurements, including the determination of appropriate time points for sample collections.

scholarly journals Trichothecenes in Food and Feed, Relevance to Human and Animal Health and Methods of Detection: A Systematic Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Magdalena Polak-Śliwińska ◽  
Beata Paszczyk
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
The Impact

Trichothecene mycotoxins are sesquiterpenoid compounds primarily produced by fungi in taxonomical genera such as Fusarium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichothecium, and others, under specific climatic conditions on a worldwide basis. Fusarium mold is a major plant pathogen and produces a number of trichothecene mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (or vomitoxin), nivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin. Monogastrics are sensitive to vomitoxin, while poultry and ruminants appear to be less sensitive to some trichothecenes through microbial metabolism of trichothecenes in the gastrointestinal tract. Trichothecene mycotoxins occur worldwide however both total concentrations and the particular mix of toxins present vary with environmental conditions. Proper agricultural practices such as avoiding late harvests, removing overwintered stubble from fields, and avoiding a corn/wheat rotation that favors Fusarium growth in residue can reduce trichothecene contamination of grains. Due to the vague nature of toxic effects attributed to low concentrations of trichothecenes, a solid link between low level exposure and a specific trichothecene is difficult to establish. Multiple factors, such as nutrition, management, and environmental conditions impact animal health and need to be evaluated with the knowledge of the mycotoxin and concentrations known to cause adverse health effects. Future research evaluating the impact of low-level exposure on livestock may clarify the potential impact on immunity. Trichothecenes are rapidly excreted from animals, and residues in edible tissues, milk, or eggs are likely negligible. In chronic exposures to trichothecenes, once the contaminated feed is removed and exposure stopped, animals generally have an excellent prognosis for recovery. This review shows the occurrence of trichothecenes in food and feed in 2011–2020 and their toxic effects and provides a summary of the discussions on the potential public health concerns specifically related to trichothecenes residues in foods associated with the exposure of farm animals to mycotoxin-contaminated feeds and impact to human health. Moreover, the article discusses the methods of their detection.

Designing meditation for doctor well-being: can ‘Om’ help obstetrics and gynaecology doctors?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Allen ◽  
Andrew Robinson ◽  
Shelley Allen ◽  
Elizabeth Nathan ◽  
Edwina Coghlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Brain Wave ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynaecology ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The study aimed to measure the impact of meditation on participants’ ability to regulate brain wave activity in high-stress situations, control physiological stress responses and improve subjective wellbeing. Methods: Twelve obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) doctors meditated for 20 minutes daily for 21 days utilising a portable EEG (electroencephalogram) providing instantaneous audio feedback. Their brain activity levels and salivary cortisol were measured before and after performing three surgical procedures. Participants were interviewed about their experiences and completed self-ratings of distress (e.g. DASS-21, Depression, Anxiety and Depression Scale). Data were analysed statistically and thematically. Results: (a) Measures of pre- and post-operative brain activity showed no significantly higher levels of alpha waves. (b) Pre- and post-operative salivary cortisol levels did not significantly decrease. (c) DASS-21 scores showed significant decreases in levels of anxiety and stress. Conclusion: Results suggest that, with biofeedback meditation, O&G doctors can learn to reduce situational stress and improve mood overall through a focussed intervention.

scholarly journals Hair Cortisol Concentration and Mental Disorder in Children With Chronic Physical Illness

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 247054701987511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Kornelsen ◽  
M. Claire Buchan ◽  
Andrea Gonzalez ◽  
Mark A. Ferro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Externalizing Disorders ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Chronic Physical Illness ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Over Time

Background To examine changes in hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in children with chronic physical illness and identify patterns of association between HCC and mental comorbidity. Methods A sample of 50 children aged 6 to 16 years were recruited within six months of being diagnosed with a chronic physical illness. Data were collected via hair samples, structured interviews, and behavioral checklists. Results There was no change in HCC over six months. Baseline HCC was associated with internalizing—odds ratio (OR) = 1.29 (90% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.66)—and externalizing disorders—OR = 1.32 (90% CI: 1.07–1.64). Externalizing disorder at six months was associated with elevated baseline—OR = 1.25 (90% CI: 1.02–1.53)—and six-month HCC—OR = 1.25 (90% CI: 1.02–1.54). Associations between HCC and mental disorder weakened over time, and for internalizing disorders, changed direction (i.e., inverse association), albeit not significantly. Conclusion Results provide preliminary evidence that physiological stress, measured using HCC, may be implicated in the relationship between physical and mental illness, and these associations align with attenuated stress responses over time.

scholarly journals Covariation between behaviour and physiology indicators of coping style in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

2013 ◽  
Vol 219 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Tudorache ◽  
Marcel J M Schaaf ◽  
Hans Slabbekoorn
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Coping Style ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Repeated Stress ◽  
Basal Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Responses ◽  
First Time ◽  
Over Time

All vertebrates exhibit physiological responses to a wide variety of stressors. The amplitude and profile of the response depend on the intensity, duration, controllability and predictability of the stressor, but there is also individual variation in the response, termed coping style. A better understanding of the expression of coping styles is of great value for medical applications, animal welfare issues and conservation. Here, we investigated the effect of repeated netting stress on proactive and reactive zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an upcoming model system for stress research. Fish were separated by coping styles according to the order of entering a novel environment. Subsequently, repeated netting stress was applied as stressor, over a period of 21 days. Full-body cortisol levels were determined at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after the last repeated stress event. Our results show that reactive fish display i) increased basal cortisol concentrations after being repeatedly stressed, ii) higher cortisol secretion over time and iii) slow recovery of cortisol concentration towards basal levels after the last repeated stress event. This study shows for the first time in zebrafish that different coping styles are associated with different cortisol responses during the recovery from stress over time and that coping styles can explain otherwise unaccounted variation in physiological stress responses.

Never far from home: A cognitive-affective model of the impact of early-life family relationships on physiological stress responses in adulthood

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda J. Luecken ◽  
Bradley M. Appelhans ◽  
Amy Kraft ◽  
Ana Brown
Keyword(s):  
Family Environment ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Physiological Reactivity ◽  
Cognitive Responses ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Vulnerability To Stress ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Early Family

An emerging line of research suggests that characteristics of the early family environment such as parent–child relationships, parental affection, and family conflict may contribute to vulnerability to stress-related illnesses in adulthood. An important long-term mechanism linking early family experiences to risk of illness later in life may lie in the ability to regulate physiological responses to environmental challenges. The current study provides evidence from our research program supportive of a cognitive-affective model in which it is proposed that family-of-origin relationships influence the development of emotional and cognitive responses to environmental challenges that influence physiological reactivity patterns, and ultimately impact vulnerability to stress-related illnesses later in life.

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