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Author Uller, C.; Jaeger, R.; Guidry, G.; Martin, C.
Title Salamanders ( Plethodon cinereus) go for more: rudiments of number in an amphibian Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 6 Issue 2 Pages 105-112
Keywords Animals; *Cognition; Discrimination Learning; Female; Male; Mathematics; *Urodela
Abstract Techniques traditionally used in developmental research with infants have been widely used with nonhuman primates in the investigation of comparative cognitive abilities. Recently, researchers have shown that human infants and monkeys select the larger of two numerosities in a spontaneous forced-choice discrimination task. Here we adopt the same method to assess in a series of experiments spontaneous choice of the larger of two numerosities in a species of amphibian, red-backed salamanders ( Plethodon cinereus). The findings indicate that salamanders “go for more,” just like human babies and monkeys. This rudimentary capacity is a type of numerical discrimination that is spontaneously present in this amphibian.
Address (down) Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504-3772, USA. uller@louisiana.edu
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12709845 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2575
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Author Dreier, S.; van Zweden, J.S.; D'Ettorre, P.
Title Long-term memory of individual identity in ant queens Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Biology Letters Abbreviated Journal Biol Lett
Volume 3 Issue 5 Pages 459-462
Keywords Aggression; Animals; Ants/*physiology; Conditioning, Operant; Evolution; Female; *Memory; *Recognition (Psychology); Social Dominance
Abstract Remembering individual identities is part of our own everyday social life. Surprisingly, this ability has recently been shown in two social insects. While paper wasps recognize each other individually through their facial markings, the ant, Pachycondyla villosa, uses chemical cues. In both species, individual recognition is adaptive since it facilitates the maintenance of stable dominance hierarchies among individuals, and thus reduces the cost of conflict within these small societies. Here, we investigated individual recognition in Pachycondyla ants by quantifying the level of aggression between pairs of familiar or unfamiliar queens over time. We show that unrelated founding queens of P. villosa and Pachycondyla inversa store information on the individual identity of other queens and can retrieve it from memory after 24h of separation. Thus, we have documented for the first time that long-term memory of individual identity is present and functional in ants. This novel finding represents an advance in our understanding of the mechanism determining the evolution of cooperation among unrelated individuals.
Address (down) Institute of Biology, Department of Population Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. sdreier@bi.ku.dk
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1744-9561 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17594958 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4649
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Author Machnik, M.; Hegger, I.; Kietzmann, M.; Thevis, M.; Guddat, S.; Schanzer, W.
Title Pharmacokinetics of altrenogest in horses Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics Abbreviated Journal J Vet Pharmacol Ther
Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 86-90
Keywords Administration, Oral; Animals; Chromatography, Liquid/veterinary; Doping in Sports/prevention & control; Horses/*metabolism; Male; Mass Spectrometry/veterinary; Progesterone Congeners/administration & dosage/blood/*pharmacokinetics/urine; Reproducibility of Results; Substance Abuse Detection/veterinary; Trenbolone/administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives/blood/pharmacokinetics/urine
Abstract The Federation Equestre Internationale has permitted the use of altrenogest in mares for the control of oestrus. However, altrenogest is also suspicious to misuse in competition horses for its potential anabolic effects and suppression of typical male behaviour, and thus is a controlled drug. To investigate the pharmacokinetics of altrenogest in horses we conducted an elimination study. Five oral doses of 44 mug/kg altrenogest were administered to 10 horses at a dose interval of 24 h. Following administration blood and urine samples were collected at appropriate intervals. Altrenogest concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The plasma levels of altrenogest reached maximal concentrations of 23-75 ng/mL. Baseline values were achieved within 3 days after the final administration. Urine peak concentrations of total altrenogest ranged from 823 to 3895 ng/mL. Twelve days after the final administration concentrations were below the limit of detection (ca 2 ng/mL).
Address (down) Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany. m.machnik@biochem.dshs-koeln.de
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0140-7783 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17217407 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1841
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Author Mostl, E.; Rettenbacher, S.; Palme, R.
Title Measurement of corticosterone metabolites in birds' droppings: an analytical approach Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal Ann N Y Acad Sci
Volume 1046 Issue Pages 17-34
Keywords Animals; Birds/*metabolism; Corticosterone/*analysis/metabolism; Feces/*chemistry; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Immunoassay; Molecular Structure; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
Abstract Fecal steroid analyses are becoming increasingly popular among both field and laboratory scientists. The benefits associated with sampling procedures that do not require restraint, anesthesia, and blood collection include less risk to subject and investigator, as well as the potential to obtain endocrine profiles that are not influenced by the sampling procedure itself. In the feces, a species-specific pattern of metabolites is present, because glucocorticoids are extensively metabolized. Therefore, selection of adequate extraction procedures and immunoassays for measuring the relevant metabolites is a serious issue. In this review, emphasis is placed on the establishment and analytical validation of methods to measure glucocorticoid metabolites for a noninvasive evaluation of adrenocortical activity in droppings of birds.
Address (down) Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinarplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. erich.moestl@vu-wien.ac.at
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0077-8923 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16055841 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4082
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Author Palme, R.; Rettenbacher, S.; Touma, C.; El-Bahr, S.M.; Mostl, E.
Title Stress hormones in mammals and birds: comparative aspects regarding metabolism, excretion, and noninvasive measurement in fecal samples Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal Ann N Y Acad Sci
Volume 1040 Issue Pages 162-171
Keywords Adrenal Glands/chemistry/metabolism; Animals; Birds; Catecholamines/analysis/chemistry/*metabolism; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/analysis/chemistry/*metabolism; Hormones/analysis/metabolism; Mammals; Species Specificity; Stress/*metabolism
Abstract A multitude of endocrine mechanisms are involved in coping with challenges. Front-line hormones to overcome stressful situations are glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines (CAs). These hormones are usually determined in plasma samples as parameters of adrenal activity and thus of disturbance. GCs (and CAs) are extensively metabolized and excreted afterwards. Therefore, the concentration of GCs (or their metabolites) can be measured in various body fluids or excreta. Above all, fecal samples offer the advantages of easy collection and a feedback-free sampling procedure. However, large differences exist among species regarding the route and time course of excretion, as well as the types of metabolites formed. Based on information gained from radiometabolism studies (reviewed in this paper), we recently developed and successfully validated different enzyme immunoassays that enable the noninvasive measurement of groups of cortisol or corticosterone metabolites in animal feces. The determination of these metabolites in fecal samples can be used as a powerful tool to monitor GC production in various species of domestic, wildlife, and laboratory animals.
Address (down) Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. rupert.palme@vu-wien.ac.at
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0077-8923 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15891021 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4083
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Author Palme, R.
Title Measuring fecal steroids: guidelines for practical application Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal Ann N Y Acad Sci
Volume 1046 Issue Pages 75-80
Keywords Animals; Feces/*chemistry; Immunoassay/methods; Reproducibility of Results; Specimen Handling/methods; Steroids/*analysis
Abstract During the past 20 years, measuring steroid hormone metabolites in fecal samples has become a widely appreciated technique, because it has proved to be a powerful, noninvasive tool that provides important information about an animal's endocrine status (adrenocortical activity and reproductive status). However, although sampling is relatively easy to perform and free of feedback, a careful consideration of various factors is necessary to achieve proper results that lead to sound conclusions. This article aims to provide guidelines for an adequate application of these techniques. It is meant as a checklist that addresses the main topics of concern, such as sample collection and storage, time delay extraction procedures, assay selection and validation, biological relevance, and some confounding factors. These issues are discussed briefly here and in more detail in other recent articles.
Address (down) Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. Rupert.Palme@vu-wien.ac.at
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0077-8923 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16055844 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4081
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Author Bachmann, I.; Audige, L.; Stauffacher, M.
Title Risk factors associated with behavioural disorders of crib-biting, weaving and box-walking in Swiss horses Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 158-163
Keywords Animal Husbandry/*methods; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology); Data Collection; Female; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology/prevention & control; Horses; *Housing, Animal; Male; Mental Disorders/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control/*veterinary; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; *Stereotyped Behavior; Switzerland/epidemiology
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies on the prevalence of behavioural disorders in horses and on associated risk factors have revealed inconsistent results. There are many studies on the neuropharmacological, surgical or mechanical therapy of stereotypies, but little is known about their causation. OBJECTIVES: To explore risk factors associated with the occurrence of behavioural disorders in horses. METHODS: A sample of horse owners, selected randomly and representative for Switzerland, was contacted in a postal survey. Answers were provided for 622 stables (response rate 35.2%). Individual data of 2,341 horses were examined with path analysis (multivariable linear and logistic regression), and adjustment made for possible confounding effects due to age and breed. RESULTS: Out of 60 possible risk factors, 11 were associated with the outcome at the univariable level (null-hypothesis path model) and 3 factors remained after the backward logistic regression procedure. Mature Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, assessed by the owners to be reactive, fed 4 times a day and without daily pasture, had increased odds of displaying crib-biting, weaving and box-walking. Furthermore, indirect associations of 5 factors with the outcome were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The final logistic regression model of risk factors leads to the hypotheses that causal prevention of stereotypic behaviours should be based upon housing and management conditions which allow tactile contact with other horses (e.g. mutual grooming), daily free movement (paddock or pasture), as well as the provision of high amounts of roughage but of little or no concentrates. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is one of the aims of population medicine to prevent the development of behavioural disorders. Further research is needed to test the concluding hypotheses in experimental studies or to verify them in the context of similar observational studies.
Address (down) Institute of Animal Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), LFW B55. 1, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12638792 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1907
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Author Marc, M.; Parvizi, N.; Ellendorff, F.; Kallweit, E.; Elsaesser, F.
Title Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations in the warmblood horse in response to a standardized treadmill exercise test as physiological markers for evaluation of training status Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Journal of Animal Science Abbreviated Journal J. Anim Sci.
Volume 78 Issue 7 Pages 1936-1946
Keywords Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/*blood/diagnostic use; Animals; Catheterization/veterinary; Exercise Test; Horses/*blood; Hydrocortisone/*blood; Male; *Physical Conditioning, Animal
Abstract Reliable physiological markers for performance evaluation in sport horses are missing. To determine the diagnostic value of plasma ACTH and cortisol measurements in the warmblood horse, 10 initially 3-yr-old geldings of the Hannovarian breed were either exposed to a training schedule or served as controls. During experimental Phase 1, horses were group-housed, and half of the horses were trained for 20 wk on a high-speed treadmill. During Phase 2, groups were switched and one group was trained for 10 wk as during Phase 1, whereas the control group was confined to boxes. During Phase 3 horses were initially schooled for riding. Thereafter, all horses were regularly schooled for dressage and jumping, and half of the horses received an additional endurance training for 24 wk. During all phases horses were exposed at regular intervals to various standardized treadmill exercise tests. During and after the tests frequent blood samples were taken from an indwelling jugular catheter for determination of ACTH and cortisol. Treadmill exercise increased both hormones. Maximum ACTH concentrations were recorded at the end of exercise, and maximum cortisol levels were recorded 20 to 30 min later. Except for one test there were no differences in ACTH levels between trained horses and controls. There was no significant effect of training on the cortisol response (net increase) to treadmill exercise in any of the tests during Phase 1. During Phase 2 higher cortisol responses were recorded in controls than in trained horses (P < .05) after 10 wk of training (controls confined to boxes). During Phase 3 plasma cortisol responses were also higher in controls than in trained horses (P < .05 after 6, 18, and 24, P < or = .07 after 12 wk of training) when the inclination of the treadmill was 5%, but not at 3%. There was no overlap in net cortisol responses at 30 min between trained and untrained horses. An ACTH application after 24 wk of training resulted in higher cortisol responses in controls than in trained horses (P < or = .05), without any overlap between the groups at 30 min after ACTH. Plasma cortisol responses to either treadmill exercise or ACTH injection may be a reliable physiological marker for performance evaluation. Prerequisites are sufficient differences in training status and sufficient intensity of exercise test conditions.
Address (down) Institute of Animal Science and Animal Behaviour, Federal Agricultural Research Center (FAL) Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8812 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:10907837 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3732
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Author Blazyczek, I.; Hamann, H.; Deegen, E.; Distl, O.; Ohnesorge, B.
Title Retrospective analysis of 50 cases of guttural pouch tympany in foals Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication The Veterinary Record Abbreviated Journal Vet. Rec.
Volume 154 Issue 9 Pages 261-264
Keywords Animals; Female; Germany/epidemiology; Horse Diseases/*surgery; Horses; Male; Pharyngeal Diseases/epidemiology/surgery/*veterinary; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Species Specificity
Abstract Between 1994 and 2001, guttural pouch tympany was diagnosed in 51 foals; there were approximately three times as many fillies as colts, of Arabian, different German warmblood breeds and Western horse breeds. There were significantly more Arabian and paint horse foals than expected in comparison with the breed distribution of the foals hospitalised at the Clinic for Horses. The foals' breed and sex did not influence the age of onset, the type and severity of the clinical signs or the recurrence rate. A surgical laser technique was used on 50 of the foals; in 35 cases only one surgical treatment was necessary, in seven cases a second operation was required during the foal's initial period of hospitalisation, and in eight cases a second operation was performed during a second period of hospitalisation. Long-term follow-up information was obtained for 44 of the 50 treated horses; 24 of them were under two years of age and 20 were over two years of age. In six horses, no follow-up information was available. Four horses were euthanased for reasons unrelated to the condition or its treatment. The horses over two years of age were in training or were being used for competitions in dressage or jumping or for breeding purposes, and in only one of them was an adventitious respiratory noise reported. All the horses up to two years of age were reported to be healthy.
Address (down) Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17p, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0042-4900 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15029964 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3719
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Author Stock, K.F.; Hamann, H.; Distl, O.
Title Factors associated with the prevalence of osseous fragments in the limb joints of Hanoverian Warmblood horses Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997) Abbreviated Journal Vet J
Volume 171 Issue 1 Pages 147-156
Keywords Animals; Body Weight/physiology; Female; Horse Diseases/*epidemiology/genetics/*radiography; Horses; Joint Diseases/epidemiology/genetics/radiography/*veterinary; Male; Pedigree; Prevalence
Abstract Factors associated with the prevalence of osseous fragments (OF) in fetlock and hock joints were investigated in a population of young Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction from 1991 to 1998. The study was based on results of a standardized radiological examination of 3127 horses. The prevalences of OF in the two joints were significantly dependent on the date, type and quality of the auction, the region of origin and on the anticipated suitability of the horses for dressage and/or show-jumping. The probability of finding OF increased with wither-height. Furthermore, there was a significant association of the individual sire with the prevalence of OF in both fetlock and hock joints, and of the maternal grandsire with the prevalence of OF in the hock joints. Consequently, both non-genetic and genetic parameters should be taken into account in order to reduce the prevalence of OF in young Warmblood riding horses.
Address (down) Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany. kathrin-friederike.stock@tiho-hannover.de
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16427591 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3712
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