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Yusof NNM, Rutherford KMD, Jarvis S, Valente L, Dwyer CM. Parity and housing effects on the behavioural and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses of pregnant ewes. Animal 2023; 17:101006. [PMID: 37897868 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
It is common in many countries for sheep to be housed during winter from mid-gestation until lambing to protect ewes and lambs from adverse conditions and improve late gestation nutritional management. Keeping ewes indoors, however, has its own challenges as the animals may be mixed with unfamiliar conspecifics, have limited floor and feeding space, experience changes to their diet and increased handling by humans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of variation in housing management (space allowance and social stability) on the behaviour and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses of pregnant ewes from mid-to-late gestation (weeks 11-18 of pregnancy). Seventy-seven ewes (41 primiparous, 36 multiparous) were divided into two groups: 'Control' and 'Restricted space and mixed' (RS-Mix), where RS-Mix ewes were allocated half the amount of space (1.27 vs 2.5 m2 for RS-Mix and Control, respectively) and feedface (concentrate feeder space) allowance (36 vs 71 cm per ewe) given to the Control group and were also subjected to two social mixing events. Aggressive behaviour at the feedface and time spent standing, lying, walking, feeding and ruminating were recorded and faecal samples were collected for assessment of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. Higher aggression was observed in RS-Mix ewes during the first week of observation (P = 0.044), which gradually declined to the same level as Control ewes by the end of the study (P = 0.045). RS-Mix ewes were significantly less likely to be able to freely join the feedface compared to Controls (P = 0.022). No other significant treatment effects on aggressive behaviour or FGM during gestation were found. RS-Mix ewes displayed significantly higher ruminating behaviour at week 18 of gestation compared to Control ewes (P < 0.001), but no other effects were seen on general pen behaviour. However, the effect of indoor housing had a significant impact on primiparous ewes, who had lower weight gain (P = 0.015) and higher FGM concentrations (P = 0.014) compared to multiparous ewes regardless of treatment group. The data suggest that, although no sustained effects on behaviour or HPA axis responses were seen with the differences in space and feeder allowance or social stability at the levels used in this study, inexperienced (primiparous) ewes may find indoor housing more stressful; and are less able to adapt compared to multiparous ewes. These effects may influence the behaviour of the ewe at lambing time, and her offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N M Yusof
- School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - K M D Rutherford
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, Scotland's Rural College, West Main Road, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - S Jarvis
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - L Valente
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, Scotland's Rural College, West Main Road, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - C M Dwyer
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, Scotland's Rural College, West Main Road, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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Wei M, Gao Q, Liu J, Yang Y, Yang J, Fan J, Lv S, Yang S. Development programming: Stress during gestation alters offspring development in sheep. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1497-1511. [PMID: 37697713 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Inappropriate management practices of domestic animals during pregnancy can be potential stressors, resulting in complex behavioural, physiological and neurological consequences in the developing offspring. Some of these consequences can last into adulthood or propagate to subsequent generations. We systematically summarized the results of different experimental patterns using artificially increased maternal glucocorticoid levels or prenatal maternal physiological stress paradigms, mediators between prenatal maternal stress (PMS) and programming effects in the offspring and the effects of PMS on offspring phenotypes in sheep. PMS can impair birthweight, regulate the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, modify behavioural patterns and cognitive abilities and alter gene expression and brain morphology in offspring. Further research should focus on the effects of programming on gene expression, immune function, gut microbiome, sex-specific effects and maternal behaviour of offspring, especially comparative studies of gestational periods when PMS is applied, continual studies of programming effects on offspring and treatment strategies that effectively reverse the detrimental programming effects of prenatal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingji Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Qian Gao
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Hebei Agriculture University, Baoding, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Linyi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Linyi, China
| | - Jinyan Yang
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Jingchang Fan
- Jiaxiang County Sheep Breeding Farm, Jiaxiang, China
| | - Shenjin Lv
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Shengmei Yang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Marini D, Monk JE, Campbell DL, Lee C, Belson S, Small A. Sex impacts pain behaviour but not emotional reactivity of lambs following ring tail docking. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15092. [PMID: 37009150 PMCID: PMC10064992 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in humans have shown sex differences in response to painful events, however, little is known in relation to sex differences in sheep. Understanding sex differences would enable improved experimental design and interpretation of studies of painful procedures in sheep. To examine sex differences in response to pain, 80 lambs were tested across five cohorts of 16. The lambs were penned in groups containing two male and two female lambs with their respective mothers. Lambs were randomly allocated from within each block to one of four treatment groups; FRing–Female lamb, ring tail docked without analgesia, MRing–Male lamb, ring tail docked without analgesia, FSham–Female lamb, tail manipulated and MSham–Male lamb, tail manipulated. Following treatment, lambs were returned to their pen and were video recorded for 45 mins for behavioural observations of acute pain and posture. An hour after treatment, lambs then underwent an emotional reactivity test that consisted of three phases: Isolation, Novelty and Startle. Following treatment, Ring lambs displayed more abnormal postures (mean = 2.5 ± 0.5) compared to Sham lambs (mean = 0.05 ± 0.4, P = 0.0001). There was an effect of sex on the display of acute pain-related behaviours in lambs that were tail docked (P < 0.001), with female lambs displaying more acute behaviours (mean count = +2.2). This difference in behaviour between sexes was not observed in Sham lambs. There was no effect of sex on display of postures related to pain (P = 0.99). During the Novelty and Startle phase of the emotional reactivity test, Ring lambs tended to (P = 0.084) or did (P = 0.018) show more fear related behaviours, respectively. However, no effect of sex was observed. The results of this study indicate that a pain state may alter the emotional response of lambs to novel objects and potential fearful situations. It was also demonstrated that female lambs display increased sensitivity to the acute pain caused by tail docking compared to males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Marini
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
- Davies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica E. Monk
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dana L.M. Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caroline Lee
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sue Belson
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison Small
- Agriculture and Food, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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Tajonar K, Gonzalez-Ronquillo M, Relling A, Nordquist RE, Nawroth C, Vargas-Bello-Pérez E. Toward assessing the role of dietary fatty acids in lamb's neurological and cognitive development. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1081141. [PMID: 36865439 PMCID: PMC9971820 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1081141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding and measuring sheep cognition and behavior can provide us with measures to safeguard the welfare of these animals in production systems. Optimal neurological and cognitive development of lambs is important to equip individuals with the ability to better cope with environmental stressors. However, this development can be affected by nutrition with a special role from long-chain fatty acid supply from the dam to the fetus or in lamb's early life. Neurological development in lambs takes place primarily during the first two trimesters of gestation. Through late fetal and early postnatal life, the lamb brain has a high level of cholesterol synthesis. This rate declines rapidly at weaning and remains low throughout adulthood. The main polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the brain are ω-6 arachidonic acid and ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are elements of plasma membranes' phospholipids in neuronal cells. DHA is essential for keeping membrane integrity and is vital for normal development of the central nervous system (CNS), and its insufficiency can damage cerebral functions and the development of cognitive capacities. In sheep, there is evidence that supplying PUFA during gestation or after birth may be beneficial to lamb productive performance and expression of species-specific behaviors. The objective of this perspective is to discuss concepts of ruminant behavior and nutrition and reflect on future research directions that could help to improve our knowledge on how dietary fatty acids (FA) relate to optimal neurological and cognitive development in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tajonar
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Rumiantes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico,Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Relling
- Department of Animal Science, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Nordquist
- Unit Animals in Science and Society, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christian Nawroth
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany,*Correspondence: Christian Nawroth ✉
| | - Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom,Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez ✉
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Labeur L, Small AH, Hinch GN, McFarlane JR, Schmoelzl S. Mid- and late-pregnancy ewe shearing affects lamb neonatal reactivity and vigour. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fujiwara M, Haskell MJ, Macrae AI, Rutherford KMD. Impact of Maternal High Stocking Density during the Dry Period on Dairy Calf Health, Behaviour, and Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10060922. [PMID: 32466441 PMCID: PMC7341238 DOI: 10.3390/ani10060922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Negative impacts of stressful maternal experience during pregnancy on offspring health and behaviour have been reported in various mammalian species including humans, laboratory animals, and farm animals. This study investigated the effect of limited space allowance for dairy cows during late gestation on the growth and behaviour of their offspring during the pre-weaning period. Our results indicated associations between maternal high stocking density and a higher frequency of social behaviours and increased behavioural reactivity to weaning in offspring. Maternal high stocking density also reduced behavioural reactions of healthy offspring to a painful procedure. However, there was no association between maternal high stocking density and offspring growth or behaviour in the first week of life. To our knowledge, this study is the first to attempt to demonstrate associations between maternal stocking density during late pregnancy and offspring behaviour in dairy cattle. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal stocking density during late pregnancy (approximately 60 ± 4 days before calving) on offspring performance during the pre-weaning period. Forty-five dairy calves were born to cows that went through either industry minimum standards (H: n = 24, high stocking density) or more extensive space allowances (L: n = 21, low stocking density) during the dry period. Body weight and average daily gain during the pre-weaning period (day 1–49) were measured. Observations were made of: (i) activity levels (day 2–6); ii) the level of training required to use an automatic feeder, and behavioural reactions to the group environment (d7); (iii) feeding and social behaviour in the group pen (day 7–21); and (iv) responses to weaning (day 40–49) and disbudding (day 28+). Compared to L calves, H calves made more frequent social contacts with pen mates in the group pen (p = 0.003) and decreased their lying time around weaning (p = 0.045). Among the healthy calves, L calves displayed more severe behavioural reactions to the disbudding procedure (p < 0.001), a significant increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (p = 0.013), and more frequent pain-related behaviour (p = 0.036). This study indicated associations between maternal stocking density during late pregnancy and some welfare-relevant offspring outcomes during the pre-weaning period; these effects were found to be modulated by offspring health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Fujiwara
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie J. Haskell
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare Team, Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, SRUC, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; (M.J.H.); (K.M.D.R.)
| | - Alastair I. Macrae
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Kenneth M. D. Rutherford
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare Team, Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, SRUC, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; (M.J.H.); (K.M.D.R.)
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Sinclair KD, Rutherford KMD, Wallace JM, Brameld JM, Stöger R, Alberio R, Sweetman D, Gardner DS, Perry VEA, Adam CL, Ashworth CJ, Robinson JE, Dwyer CM. Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:RD16102. [PMID: 27439952 DOI: 10.1071/rd16102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept that postnatal health and development can be influenced by events that occur in utero originated from epidemiological studies in humans supported by numerous mechanistic (including epigenetic) studies in a variety of model species. Referred to as the 'developmental origins of health and disease' or 'DOHaD' hypothesis, the primary focus of large-animal studies until quite recently had been biomedical. Attention has since turned towards traits of commercial importance in farm animals. Herein we review the evidence that prenatal risk factors, including suboptimal parental nutrition, gestational stress, exposure to environmental chemicals and advanced breeding technologies, can determine traits such as postnatal growth, feed efficiency, milk yield, carcass composition, animal welfare and reproductive potential. We consider the role of epigenetic and cytoplasmic mechanisms of inheritance, and discuss implications for livestock production and future research endeavours. We conclude that although the concept is proven for several traits, issues relating to effect size, and hence commercial importance, remain. Studies have also invariably been conducted under controlled experimental conditions, frequently assessing single risk factors, thereby limiting their translational value for livestock production. We propose concerted international research efforts that consider multiple, concurrent stressors to better represent effects of contemporary animal production systems.
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Positive and negative gestational handling influences placental traits and mother-offspring behavior in dairy goats. Physiol Behav 2016; 157:129-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Coulon M, Nowak R, Andanson S, Petit B, Lévy F, Boissy A. Effects of prenatal stress and emotional reactivity of the mother on emotional and cognitive abilities in lambs. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:626-36. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Coulon
- INRA; UMR1213, Herbivores; 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle France
- Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores, BP 10448; 63000 Clermont-Ferrand France
- Université de Lyon,VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores; 69280 Marcy-l'Etoile France
| | - Raymond Nowak
- INRA; UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements; 37380 Nouzilly France
- CNRS; UMR7247; 37380 Nouzilly France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours; 37041 Tours France
- Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation; 37380 Nouzilly France
| | - Stephane Andanson
- INRA; UMR1213, Herbivores; 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle France
- Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores, BP 10448; 63000 Clermont-Ferrand France
- Université de Lyon,VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores; 69280 Marcy-l'Etoile France
| | - Bérengère Petit
- INRA; UMR1213, Herbivores; 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle France
- Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores, BP 10448; 63000 Clermont-Ferrand France
- Université de Lyon,VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores; 69280 Marcy-l'Etoile France
| | - Frédéric Lévy
- INRA; UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements; 37380 Nouzilly France
- CNRS; UMR7247; 37380 Nouzilly France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours; 37041 Tours France
- Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation; 37380 Nouzilly France
| | - Alain Boissy
- INRA; UMR1213, Herbivores; 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle France
- Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores, BP 10448; 63000 Clermont-Ferrand France
- Université de Lyon,VetAgro Sup; UMR1213 Herbivores; 69280 Marcy-l'Etoile France
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Chojnacki RM, Vas J, Andersen IL. The effects of prenatal stocking densities on the fear responses and sociality of goat (Capra hircus) kids. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94253. [PMID: 24710177 PMCID: PMC3978004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (stress experienced by a pregnant mother) and its effects on offspring have been comprehensively studied but relatively little research has been done on how prenatal social stress affects farm animals such as goats. Here, we use the operational description of ‘stress’ as “physical or perceived threats to homeostasis.” The aim of this study was to investigate the prenatal effects of different herd densities on the fear responses and sociality of goat kids. Pregnant Norwegian dairy goats were exposed to high, medium or low prenatal animal density treatments throughout gestation (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 m2 per animal, respectively). One kid per litter was subjected to two behavioral tests at 5 weeks of age. The ‘social test’ was applied to assess the fear responses, sociality and social recognition skills when presented with a familiar and unfamiliar kid and the ‘separation test’ assessed the behavioral coping skills when isolated. The results indicate goat kids from the highest prenatal density of 1.0 m2 were more fearful than the kids from the lower prenatal densities (i.e. made more escape attempts (separation test: P < 0.001) and vocalizations (social test: P < 0.001; separation test: P < 0.001). This effect was more pronounced in females than males in the high density (vocalizations; social test: P < 0.001; separation test: P = 0.001) and females were generally more social than males. However, goat kids did not differentiate between a familiar and an unfamiliar kid at 5 weeks of age and sociality was not affected by the prenatal density treatment. We conclude that high animal densities during pregnancy in goats produce offspring that have a higher level of fear, particularly in females. Behavioral changes in offspring that occur as an effect of prenatal stress are of high importance as many of the females are recruited to the breeding stock of dairy goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Chojnacki
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Judit Vas
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Inger Lise Andersen
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Social interactions, cortisol and reproductive success of domestic goats (Capra hircus) subjected to different animal densities during pregnancy. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Arnott G, Roberts D, Rooke JA, Turner SP, Lawrence AB, Rutherford KMD. Board invited review: The importance of the gestation period for welfare of calves: maternal stressors and difficult births. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:5021-34. [PMID: 22952359 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The prenatal period is of critical importance in defining how individuals respond to their environment throughout life. Stress experienced by pregnant females has been shown to have detrimental effects on offspring biology in humans and a variety of other species. It also is becoming increasingly apparent that prenatal events can have important consequences for the behavior, health, and productivity of offspring in farmed species. Pregnant cattle may experience many potentially important stressors, for instance, relating to their social environment, housing system and physical environment, interactions with humans and husbandry procedures, and their state of health. We examined the available literature to provide a review of the implications of prenatal stress for offspring welfare in cattle. The long-term effects of dystocia on cattle offspring also are reviewed. To ensure a transparent and repeatable selection process, a systematic review approach was adopted. The research literature clearly demonstrates that prenatal stress and difficult births in beef and dairy cattle both have implications for offspring welfare and performance. Common husbandry practices, such as transport, were shown to influence offspring biology and the importance of environmental variables, including thermal stress and drought, also were highlighted. Maternal disease during pregnancy was shown to negatively impact offspring welfare. Moreover, dystocia-affected calves suffer increased mortality and morbidity, decreased transfer of passive immunity, and important physiological and behavioral changes. This review also identified considerable gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the effects of prenatal stress in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Arnott
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Research Group, SRUC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK.
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13
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Measures of behavioural reactivity and their relationships with production traits in sheep: A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Guesdon V, Ligout S, Delagrange P, Spedding M, Lévy F, Laine AL, Malpaux B, Chaillou E. Multiple exposures to familiar conspecific withdrawal is a novel robust stress paradigm in ewes. Physiol Behav 2011; 105:203-8. [PMID: 21871471 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Paradigms used so far to study the effects of social isolation in sheep confound the effects of social isolation with those of other stressors (e.g. new environment) and showed contradictory effects after multiple social isolations. We propose here to characterize and examine the repeatable effects of social isolation induced by the familiar conspecific withdrawal (FCW). This latter test consists of socially isolating the ewe by the removal of group mates from the room test for 3 h. Behavioral and endocrine responses of adult ovariectomized-estradiol implanted ewes were compared 90 min before and 90 min after FCW, which was applied three times every fourteen days. We observed that each FCW induced significant increases in plasma cortisol level, in the number of vocalizations, foot pawing, circling attempts and a significant decrease in time spent lying down. An increase in plasma cortisol levels and decrease in duration of maintenance behaviors were significantly lower after the third FCW than after the first one. These differences could be explained by higher plasma cortisol levels and lower duration of maintenance behaviors before the third FCW than before the first FCW suggesting an anticipation of the social isolation period. These data indicate that social isolation is sufficient to induce distress with stable stressful responses after multiple exposures to familiar conspecific withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Guesdon
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
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Coulon M, Hild S, Schroeer A, Janczak A, Zanella A. Gentle vs. aversive handling of pregnant ewes: II. Physiology and behavior of the lambs. Physiol Behav 2011; 103:575-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Siebert K, Langbein J, Schön PC, Tuchscherer A, Puppe B. Degree of social isolation affects behavioural and vocal response patterns in dwarf goats (Capra hircus). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Hernandez C, Matthews L, Oliver M, Bloomfield F, Harding J. Effects of sex, litter size and periconceptional ewe nutrition on offspring behavioural and physiological response to isolation. Physiol Behav 2010; 101:588-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Andersen IL, Roussel S, Ropstad E, Braastad BO, Steinheim G, Janczak AM, Jørgensen GM, Bøe KE. Social instability increases aggression in groups of dairy goats, but with minor consequences for the goats’ growth, kid production and development. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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