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1.
For initial training, horses are often transferred from group housing to individual boxes, which is a potential stressor. In this study, salivary cortisol concentrations, locomotion activity, and heart rate (HR) were analyzed and the HR variability (HRV) variables standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) were calculated in 3-year-old mares (n = 8). Mares were transferred abruptly from a group stable with access to a paddock to individual boxes without a paddock and were studied from 4 days before to 5 days after changing the stable. Mares underwent routine equestrian training for young horses. On the days before mares were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentrations showed a diurnal rhythm with values approximately 0.6 ng/ml in the morning and a decrease throughout the day. When horses were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentrations increased to 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/ml within 30 minutes and did not return to baseline values within 6 hours (0.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml, P < .05 over time). On the following days, a diurnal rhythm was re-established but at a higher level than before the change of stable. Locomotion activity was higher when mares had access to a paddock than when kept in individual boxes. Heart rate increased for approximately 60 minutes when mares were separated from their group. In conclusion, separating young horses from their group and individual stabling are perceived as stressful.  相似文献   

2.
The purpose of this experiment was to establish behavioral indexes of piglet welfare. Forty‐eight piglets were allocated to either four indoor pens or four outdoor pens (six piglets per pen). The indoor system was a commercial pen that consisted of a concrete floor and a slat floor. The outdoor system had a dirt paddock with a wooden hutch. Growth performance, salivary cortisol levels, skin lesions and behaviors of the piglets were monitored for 4 weeks. Sixteen types of behaviors were recorded by using 2‐min instantaneous scan sampling for 8 h/day. Growth performance and salivary cortisol levels did not significantly differ between the two housing systems. On the other hand, skin lesions and behaviors were significantly affected by the housing system. The number of skin lesions was higher in the indoor system. In addition, piglets in the outdoor system showed more investigative and social‐play behaviors than those in the indoor system. Piglets in the indoor system showed more resting, drinking, moving, fighting, and conflict behaviors than those in the outdoor system. We conclude that investigative, social‐play and conflict behaviors may be effective indexes of the welfare level of piglets, especially investigative and conflict behaviors.  相似文献   

3.
Daily fluctuations of cortisol concentration in the blood or saliva have been repeatedly reported. However, several contradictions in the existing literature appear on this subject. The present study was performed to definitively establish options for testing adrenocortical function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate parallel circadian rhythms in salivary and serum cortisol concentrations during a 24-h period. Twenty horses were examined under the same conditions. Blood and saliva samples were taken every 2 h for 24 h to determine the daily changes in cortisol concentrations of saliva and serum at rest and to determine the relationship between salivary and serum cortisol levels. Cosinor analysis of group mean data confirmed a significant circadian component for both serum and salivary cortisol concentrations (P < 0.001 in both cases). The serum cortisol circadian rhythm had an acrophase at 10:50 AM (95% CI, 10:00 AM–11:40 AM), a MESOR of 22.67 ng/mL, and an amplitude of 11.93 ng/mL. The salivary cortisol circadian rhythm had an acrophase at 10:00 AM (95% CI, 9:00 AM–11:00 AM), a MESOR of 0.52 ng/mL, and an amplitude of 0.12 ng/mL. We found a significant but weak association between salivary and serum cortisol concentrations; the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.32 (P < 0.001). The use of salivary cortisol level as an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity may be warranted. However, the salivary cortisol levels are more likely to be correlated with free plasma cortisol than with the total plasma cortisol concentration.  相似文献   

4.
In horses, a circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol concentrations has been reported in some but not all studies. When a rhythm occurred, horses were accustomed to a management routine, comprising stabling, feeding and sometimes exercise, which may entrain a circadian pattern. In this work, we monitored plasma cortisol by collecting jugular blood through indwelling cannulae from four groups: 1): 10 untrained, unperturbed mares grazing excess pasture, bled hourly for 26 hr; 2) 4 mares housed in a barn for 48 hr before sampling every 15 min for 20–24 hr; 3) 5 mares placed in an outdoor yard for sampling every 30 min from 0930–2100 hr; and 4) 4 stabled racehorses in training, bled every 30 min from 0730–2000 hr and once the following morning at 0830 hr.Plasma cortisol showed a similarly-timed circadian rhythm (P<0.0001) in all Group 1 horses, with a peak at 0600–0900 hr, and a nadir at 1800–2100 hr. By contrast, cortisol concentrations did not vary with time in either Group 2 or 3. Neither daily mean nor peak cortisol values differed in Group 1 and 2 (i.e. bled for ≥ 20 hr); however nadir values were higher (P<0.05) in Group 2. In Group 4, cortisol declined (P=0.004) during the sampling period but had returned to initial concentrations the next morning. Values did not differ from those for Group 1, except between 1000 and 1300 hr when cortisol in Group 4 was lower (P<0.05).We conclude that a circadian cortisol rhythm exists in horses in the absence of any known cues imposed by humans. However, this rhythm can be obliterated by the minor perturbation of removing the horse from its accustomed environment. By contrast, the rhythm occurs in trained racehorses, suggesting either that they have adapted to their environment thereby allowing an endogenous rhythm to emerge, or that the rhythm is entrained by their daily routine. These observations highlight the difficulties in determining the cortisol status of a horse, since measurements will be affected by time of day, the occurrence of short-term fluctuations, and how accustomed the horse is to its environment.  相似文献   

5.
High stress levels in horses during sporting events can influence the animal’s performance in competitions as well as their welfare. This study investigated the use of infrared thermography (IRT) measurement as a rapid, noninvasive, and accurate method for stress assessment in horses during sport competitions and compared IRT with a commonly used physiological method used for stress assessment and salivary cortisol. IRT and salivary cortisol responses were measured 3 hours before the competition, immediately following the competition, and 3 hours after the competition, each day during the 3 days of a show jumping event. Salivary cortisol values ranged from −0.11 ± 4.51 ng/mL in 5-year-old animals to 1.10 ± 2.20 ng/mL in 4-year-old animals, whereas eye temperature values ranged from 35.84 ± 1.16°C in 6-year-old animals to 36.08 ± 1.11°C in 5-year-old animals. The results obtained suggested that IRT measurements constitute an effective method for detecting stress in horses subjected to the acute events of show jumping.  相似文献   

6.
The aim of this study was to explore the hypothesis that the emotional response of naive purebred Arabian colts and fillies to initial training is lower in the case of sympathetic methods compared with the traditional training methods, and that the response is differentiated with regard to the sex. A group of 32 young purebred Arabian horses was included in the initial training. Half of the group was subjected to a natural training method, and the other 16 horses were trained using a traditional method. Both groups comprised an equal number of colts and fillies. The training lasted a few days, as shortly as possible, with regard to individual horse’s needs. The emotional response of horses to training process was assessed with heart rate measured telemetrically. A horse’s response to sympathetic and traditional training methods depends on its sex. The sympathetic training method modifies the response of colts more than it influences the response of fillies. It is concluded that the natural method is particularly desired in training colts.  相似文献   

7.
We assessed whether rolling damage by grazing horses could be reduced by constructing areas assigned for rolling. A group of horses were enclosed in a paddock with and without rolling areas made of dry soil, sand, and straw. Their behavior was recorded for 1 week in the paddock without any treatment (control paddock). Then the horses were moved to another paddock with the rolling areas (rolling paddock). After a 3-week familiarization period, horses were observed for 1 week. In the rolling paddock, the frequency and time spent rolling were significantly greater in rolling areas than in nonrolling areas. Horses significantly preferred the soil rolling area than sand and straw (P < .05). Although rolling was considered the most relevant body care behavioral element, the effects of the substrate in rolling areas on other body care behavioral activities, such as mutual and self-grooming, also were investigated. The frequency and duration of mutual grooming and the duration of self-grooming decreased significantly in the rolling paddock compared with the control paddock (P < .05). Hence, offering a rolling area encourages horses to roll in these areas and keeps the pasture in good condition; therefore, grazing time can be increased, with less reliance on supplementary feed.  相似文献   

8.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the physiological responses of lactating Holstein cows between outdoor grazing and indoor housing in summer in Japan.

Method

The cows (n=16) were grazed outside from indoor housing and returned indoors 3 weeks later, with a 1-week transition phase to mitigate each environmental change. Grazing cows remained in pasture except for milking twice per day and concentrate feeding before milking. Indoors, the cows were tethered except for milking twice per day and about 5.5 h of exercise in an open-air paddock.

Results

When the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) threshold was above 72, urinary cortisol levels were higher only in the grazing phase. The indoor cows took a longer time to prepare to lie down compared with grazing cows.

Conclusions

This study suggests that forcing cows outside during hot weather can induce certain physiological stress responses in lactating Holstein cows. Cows exhibit more fluid lying-down movements on pasture, suggesting that the comfort of lying conditions of indoor housing was not ideal.  相似文献   

9.
Equestrian competitions require both physical activity and mental adaptation in horses. Cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) are accepted stress parameters and, in this study, have been determined in horses (n = 13) participating in equestrian competitions for up to 3 consecutive days. Participation in competitions caused an increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (e.g., on day 1 from 1.0 ± 0.2 before to 2.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL after the competition, days 1 and 2: P < 0.001, day 3: P < 0.05) and an increase in heart rate (days 1 and 2: P < 0.001, day 3: P = 0.01). A consistent decrease in HRV occurred only in response to the final competition on day 3 (P < 0.01). When horses competing in dressage and show jumping were compared, cortisol release and HRV did not differ between groups, but after the competition, heart rate was lower in dressage than in show jumping horses (P < 0.05). Heart rate increased not only during the actual competition but already when horses were prepared in their stables (e.g., day 1: ?60 minutes, 38.6 ± 2; ?5 minutes, 77 ± 7; competition, 81 ± 10 beats per minute; P < 0.01). In conclusion, participation in equestrian competitions caused an increase in cortisol release and heart rate and a decrease in HRV variables. However, competitions were not a major stressor compared with other anthropogenic challenges such as transport, to which horses are exposed regularly.  相似文献   

10.
In order to assess which laboratorial parameters need specific age- and/or gender-related reference values, hematological and biochemical profiles (including hormones) were performed in 205 Spanish foals of 5 groups: A (1-2 months; 20 fillies, 10 colts), B (2-3 months; 24 fillies, 18 colts), C (3-6 months; 25 fillies, 16 colts), D (6-9 months; 20 fillies, 23 colts) and E (9-12 months; 25 fillies, 15 colts). Additionally, 120 adult horses were sampled in order to establish baseline data for this breed in our laboratory. Group E had lower red blood cell number and mean cell volume than B, C and D, and neutrophil count was lower in A. Albumin was lower in A than in D, lactate was higher in B, C and D, CK, AST and K were higher in C. In D and E, cortisol was lower and adrenaline was higher. Urea progressively increases, whereas ALP decreases with age. Packed cell volume was higher in fillies of group A, creatinine was higher in colts of group E and fillies of groups B, C, and D had higher aldosterone than colts. In comparison to Spanish adult horses, mean cell volume, albumin, urea, CK, AST, LDH, and ALP requires specific ranges for foals.  相似文献   

11.
Domestic animals are often repeatedly exposed to the same anthropogenic stressors. Based on cortisol secretion and heart rate, it has been demonstrated that transport is stressful for horses, but so far, changes in this stress response with repeated road transport have not been reported. We determined salivary cortisol concentrations, fecal cortisol metabolites, cardiac beat-to-beat (RR) interval, and heart rate variability (HRV) in transport-naive horses (N = 8) transported 4 times over a standardized course of 200 km. Immunoreactive salivary cortisol concentrations always increased in response to transport (P < 0.001), but cortisol release decreased stepwise with each transport (P < 0.05). Concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites increased from 55.1 ± 4.6 ng/g before the first transport to 161 ± 17 ng/g the morning after (P < 0.001). Subsequent transport did not cause further increases in fecal cortisol metabolites. In response to the first transport, mean RR interval decreased with loading of the horses and further with the onset of transport (1551 ± 23, 1304 ± 166, and 1101 ± 123 msec 1 d before, immediately preceeding, and after 60–90 min of transport, respectively; P < 0.05). Decreases in RR interval during subsequent transports became less pronounced (P < 0.001). Transport was associated with a short rise in the HRV variable standard deviation 2 (P < 0.001 except transport 1), indicating sympathetic activation. No consistent changes were found for other HRV variables. In conclusion, a transport-induced stress response in horses decreased with repeated transport, indicating that animals habituated to the situation, but an increased cortisol secretion remained detectable.  相似文献   

12.
Camel management has been changing in recent years from an extensive to a semi-intensive or intensive system, particularly for breeding bulls and dairy dromedary camels. Captivity may affect animal welfare, and low libido is the major complaint for housed breeding bulls. Since welfare status could also affect reproductive performance, the aim of this study was to evaluate different management practices on behavior, particularly on sexual behavior, and to identify some behavioral needs of male dromedary camels reared for semen collection. The effects of the following management systems on their behavior were compared: (i) traditional: housing in a single stall for 24 h (H24), (ii) housing in a single stall for 23 h with 1 h free in the paddock (H23), and (iii) housing in a single stall for 22 h and 30 min with 1 h paddock time and 30 min exposure to a female camel herd (ExF). During the trial, blood cortisol concentrations were assessed and camels were filmed daily for 30 min in the mornings and during a female passage in the evenings. Videos were analyzed in order to fill out a focal sampling ethogram and to score sexual behavior. As a result, there were no differences between the H24 and H23 systems, whereas ExF had a significant positive impact on their sexual behavior score and behavioral repertoire, further reducing cortisol levels. Overall, it seems that male dromedary camel welfare status improves when their behavioral needs for social interaction and movement are satisfied.  相似文献   

13.
Cocaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that is commonly abused by human-beings for its psychostimulatory effects. Occasionally, very small concentrations (i.e. <100 ng/mL) of the primary cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BZE) have been detected in urine collected from horses competing in athletic events. In this study urine samples, collected from four horses following the administration of 2.5 and 20 mg of cocaine sublingually and 50 mg of cocaine intravenously, were analyzed for the presence of cocaine and/or its metabolites by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of ELISA analysis of urine samples collected from all four horses suggested the presence of cocaine and/or its metabolites up to 10, 48, and 72 h after administration of 2.5, 20, and 50 mg of cocaine, respectively. The results of GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of BZE above the limit of quantification (LOQ = 5 ng/mL) in urine samples collected from all four horses for up to 24 h after administration of 2.5 mg of cocaine and for up to 48 h after administration of 20 and 50 mg of cocaine. No obvious behavioral effects or overt alterations of heart rate or rhythm were noted in any of these horses after cocaine administration.  相似文献   

14.
Reproductive management of male donkeys employed for artificial breeding has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of housing system, with the animals grouped together in a paddock or kept in individual boxes, on sexual behaviour, cortisol and testosterone concentration and seminal characteristics of adult male donkeys. The study included four Amiata donkey jacks (stallions) from which ejaculates, saliva and blood were collected during two distinct 3 weeks periods, one in the group and one in the box housing system. Time needed for semen collection was shorter when donkeys were kept in paddocks compared to when they were kept in single boxes (14:57 ± 07:27 and 20:52 ± 09:31 min, p < .05). Native semen characteristics were not influenced by housing system, while cooled preservation in an Equitainer® showed that sperm motility parameters were significantly higher during the paddock period compared to the box period. Salivary cortisol was influenced by housing system, both before and 60 min after ejaculation, being statistically higher when donkeys were housed in paddocks. On the contrary, overall and basal testosterone concentrations were significantly higher when animals were kept in boxes. In conclusion, in the present study, good quality semen could be successfully collected from donkeys irrespective of the housing system despite some differences in hormone concentrations.  相似文献   

15.
To investigate the possibility that a disorder of potassium balance may have a role in the development of equine rhabdomyolysis, the potassium concentration within erythrocytes (RBC [K+]) and plasma (P [K+]) was measured in 3 groups of horses: group 1, eight 2-year-old fillies that had postexercise muscle soreness within 48 hours of sample collection; group 2, ten 2-year-old fillies subjected to identical management and training conditions (as fillies of group 1) and that did not have signs of myopathy; and group 3, 32 yearlings of both sexes on the farm of origin of groups 1 and 2 that were pastured and not in training. Creatine kinase activity in serum from horses of groups 1 and 2 was also measured. The mean P [K+] was not significantly different between groups, whereas the mean RBC [K+] was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in group-1 fillies vs group-2 fillies and group-3 horses. Group-1 fillies also had markedly high serum creatine kinase activity. Results of the study revealed significantly lower RBC [K+] in horses that had had signs of myopathy within the preceding 48 hours. This does not prove a causal relationship between RBC potassium depletion and myopathy, but does suggest that decreased RBC [K+] may be observed in horses with exercise-related myopathy.  相似文献   

16.
Several experiments were conducted to evaluate serum cortisol concentrations and the circadian rhythm of this hormone in gilts tethered in stalls. Control animals were penned individually. In the initial experiment, 18 nongravid gilts were placed in tether stalls after being in either tether stalls or individual pens for 2 wk. No significant differences were found in serum cortisol concentrations. In a second experiment, 16 ovariectomized gilts were placed in tether stalls or individual pens for up to 5 wk. Estrus was induced during wk 3 and 4. During the first day in tether stalls, serum cortisol concentrations increased (P less than .05) and the circadian rhythm of cortisol was disrupted for 4 d. During estrus, the circadian rhythm of cortisol was interrupted for several days in the gilts, regardless of housing. After 4 wk, morning concentrations of cortisol were higher for gilts in tether stalls. The results indicate that: 1) the initial response to tethering varies according to previous penning and handling experience, 2) although the circadian rhythm of cortisol was either altered or disrupted during estrus, such disruptions were not influenced by type of penning and 3) tether stalls may chronically increase cortisol concentrations in gilts.  相似文献   

17.
Sixteen Quarter Horse yearling fillies were used in a 112-day randomized block experiment to determine the comparative efficacy of alfalfa hay protein to support growth in young horses. The yearlings were divided into two groups of eight and paired according to weight and age, with one yearling from each pair randomly allotted to each diet. Group 1 was fed a diet of coastal Bermuda grass hay and concentrate. The corn-based concentrate was supplemented with soybean meal such that the total diet for group 1 contained approximately 13% CP. Group 2 was fed a diet that also contained approximately 13% CP and consisted of alfalfa hay and a similar concentrate without soybean meal. Yearlings were fed the diets in a 60:40 grain-to-hay ratio, and intakes between members of each pair were equalized. The calculated digestible energy density in both final diets was approximately 2.85 mcal/kg, and the protein:calorie ratio for both diets was approximately 45 gm/Mcal. Body weight, body length, heart girth, wither and hip heights, as well as forearm, gaskin and cannon bone circumferences were measured every 28 days. Rump fat thickness was measured ultrasonically every 28 days. Physical measures of growth were similar for horses eating each diet (P>0.05). Also, blood urea nitrogen was similar for horses eating each diet (P>0.05) and was not reflective of differences in nitrogen metabolism. The fillies fed the SBM-supplemented diet retained more nitrogen more efficiently than did fillies fed the alfalfa diet (P<0.05), and the SBM-fed fillies had higher concentrations of osteocalcin on days 14, 28, 42, and 112. It can be concluded that SBM and alfalfa proteins were equally effective in providing growth to young horses; however, the biological value of absorbed nitrogen appeared to be higher in the fillies fed the SBM-supplemented diet. also, differences in serum osteocalcin concentrations indicate that the SBM-fed fillies were experiencing a greater amount of osteoblastic activity than the alfalfa fed fillies.  相似文献   

18.
The quality of husbandry of Franches-Montagnes horses (FM) in Switzerland is evaluated on the basis of an investigation carried out in 2002 by the Swiss FM breeding federation. Questionnaires were sent to 3500 of its members and the results include data from 968 breeding enterprises, housing a total of 3965 FM: 46.1% were breeding mares (61.0% with foal at foot), 26.5% young stock, 1.3% stallions and 26.0% non breeding stock (74.6% of which were pleasure horses and 25.4% working horses). 57.6% of the FM were housed in individual boxes with or without permanent outdoor access, 25.4% were hold in groups with or without permanent outdoor access, the remaining 17.0% were kept in standing stalls. 95.0% of the FM had at least visual contact with other equines and 99.2% had sufficient light in their stable. 88.1% were stabled on long stalk straw, while only 4.3% were bedded on other materials other than straw. The average time spent at pasture per horse and per week ranged from 96.5 +/- 51.6 hours in summer to 27.2 +/- 26.7 hours in winter. On average, a FM is used for 8.3 +/- 6.5 hours per week. Horses with an paddock at their disposal spend an average of 39.8 +/- 45.9 hours there per week.  相似文献   

19.
Plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were measured in 23 mature Standardbred mares (age: 10 ± 3 years) and 12 weanling fillies (10 Quarter Horse/Belgian crossbreds and two Quarter Horses; aged: 4 ± 3 months) to test the hypothesis that adipocytokines are proportional to adiposity in horses. Rump fat thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound and percent body fat (% fat) calculated using a published formula for the estimation of fatness in horses. Plasma adiponectin and leptin were determined using radioimmunoassay. In the absence of purified equine adiponectin or leptin, results were expressed as human equivalents (HE) of immunoreactive (ir) adipocytokines.Plasma ir-leptin HE concentration was positively correlated (r = 0.543; P < 0.001) with percent body fat and (r = 0.556; P < 0.001) to fat mass in all horses. The plasma ir-leptin HE concentration was lower (P = 0.03) in weanlings (1.90 ± 0.34 ng/mL HE) than in mature mares (3.47 ± 0.50 ng/mL HE). The ratio of ir-adiponectin HE to ir-leptin HE was negatively correlated (r = −0.621; P < 0.001) to percent fat and (r = −631; P < 0.001) to fat mass in all horses. The ratio of ir-adiponectin HE to ir-leptin HE was higher (P < 0.001) in weanlings (3.04 ± 0.51) than mature mares (1.03 ± 0.13). These data suggest that leptin is proportional while adiponectin is inversely proportional to adiposity in horses.  相似文献   

20.
The aim of this study was to estimate the emotional response to novelty and to expectation of novelty in young race horses. The novelty in this study was the first training on an automated horse walker at a new training center. To estimate the level of emotionality in horses, the telemetric measurement of heart rate (HR) was used. A hypothesis was developed that expectation of novelty can be as exciting for horses as a novelty test. In this study, 40 horses were studied just before and then during their first walk on an automated horse walker. They were divided into four groups, with 10 horses in each group. These groups were as follows: (1) 1.5-year-old Thoroughbred colts, (2) 1.5-year-old Thoroughbred fillies, (3) 2.5-year-old Purebred Arabian colts, and (4) 2.5-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies. HR was measured at rest before exercise, during handling and moving the horse from the stable, while walking on the automated horse walker for about 20 minutes, while moving the horse from the walker to the stable, and at rest after exercise. HR response to the anticipation of novelty was higher in colts than in fillies, particularly in the group of Thoroughbreds.  相似文献   

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