| Records |
| Author |
Chenoweth, P.J.; Chase, C.C.; Larsen, R.E.; Thatcher, M.-J.D.; Bivens, J.F.; Wilcox, C.J. |
| Title |
The assessment of sexual performance in young Bos taurus and Bos indicus beef bulls |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1996 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume |
48 |
Issue |
3-4 |
Pages |
225-235 |
| Keywords |
Bos indicus; Sex behavior; Cattle reproduction; Mating behavior; Tests |
| Abstract |
Yearling beef bulls, representing different Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds, were given two sexual performance assessments (libido score, number of services, time to first mount and time of sexual inactivity) at four test periods (January, April, July and October) in 1991 (Trial 1) and 1992 (Trial 2) at the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station, Brooksville, Florida. Breed and test period, as well as their interactions, influenced most results. Sexual performance assessments generally improved with age in Bos taurus breeds, but not in Bos indicus. The temperate Bos taurus breeds (Angus and Hereford) were most sexually active, the tropically adapted Bos taurus breeds (Senepol and Romosinuano) intermediate and the two Bos indicus breeds (Brahman and Nellore x Brahman) were least active. Service rates were generally low. Seasonal patterns in sexual performance were not apparent, with breed and year differences occurring. Although breeds showed consistent test results, the failure of Bos indicus bulls to service in any test, indicates either sexual immaturity, or inadequate procedures for assessment of sexual performance in this breed group. |
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refbase @ user @ |
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2865 |
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Spinka, M.; Duncan, I.J.H.; Widowski, T.M. |
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Do domestic pigs prefer short-term to medium-term confinement? |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
1998 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume |
58 |
Issue |
3-4 |
Pages |
221-232 |
| Keywords |
Cognition; Pig-housing; Preference tests |
| Abstract |
A preference test was used to demonstrate that gilts have the ability to associate two sets of neutral cues with two different periods of confinement and water deprivation and to anticipate the long-term consequences of their choice in the test. Twelve gilts housed in two large, straw-bedded pens were trained to go to two sets of 12 crates, positioned on each side of a choice point, for feeding twice a day. Following initial training, the two sets of crates were marked with contrasting visual patterns and the patterns were associated with either 30 min (`short' confinement) or 240 min (`long' confinement) of confinement in the crates after entry. During 16 days of preference testing, the gilts were sent alternately to one side or the other in the mornings and allowed to choose in the afternoons. Eight gilts chose the short confinement side more often, two, the long confinement side more often and two, each side an equal number of times, indicating that most gilts learned the association and preferred to be released shortly after feeding. However, gilts still chose the long confinement side on occasion, suggesting that they did not find 240 min of confinement very aversive. When the gilts were sent to the crates in the morning, their behaviour indicated that they expected to be released or confined depending on which crate they were in. The cognitive abilities of animals with respect to perception of time and anticipation of future events have important implications for their welfare. This study demonstrates that methods can be developed to ask animals about such things. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2910 |
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McCall, C.A.; Hall, S.; McElhenney, W.H.; Cummins, K.A. |
| Title |
Evaluation and comparison of four methods of ranking horses based on reactivity |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume |
96 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
115-127 |
| Keywords |
Horse; Reactivity tests; Heart rate; Emotionality; Temperament |
| Abstract |
Four methods of ranking horses on reactivity were evaluated and compared: isolation from conspecifics, presentation of a static novel stimulus, traversing a novel stimulus in a runway (isolation, novel stimulus and runway tests, respectively) and assigning subjective emotionality scores. In all tests, horses' heart rates were recorded and behaviour was videotaped. To be considered a valid test of reactivity, at least one heart rate and one behavioural measurement in the test had to change significantly between treatments (tranquilizer administation versus sham tranquilizer administration), and behavioural measures had to be displayed in at least 75% of the trials. Forty horses performed each of the three tests daily on three different days in a switchback design. Horses were assigned randomly to a daily test sequence, which was maintained throughout the study. In the runway test, no significant difference in heart rate values in tranquilized and non-tranquilized horses was found, and no behavioural attribute was displayed in more than 52% of the trials; therefore it was rejected as a valid test of reactivity. Both isolation and novel stimulus tests produced valid measurements. Mean heart rate was the most precise physiological measure for these tests, and walking and defecation frequency were the most precise behavioural measures for novel stimulus and isolation tests, respectively. Mean heart rates on the novel stimulus and isolation tests were correlated (rs = 0.79, P < 0.01) indicating that these tests produced similar rankings based on physiological responses. However, behavioural measures ranked horses differently (rs = 0.27, P < 0.10) on the tests. Rank correlations between mean heart rates and behavioural measures were higher in the novel stimulus (rs = 0.66, P < 0.01) than the isolation test (rs = 0.55, P < 0.01), indicating that the novel stimulus test ranked horses based on either physiological or behavioural responses more similarly than did the isolation test. Therefore, the novel stimulus test was considered the more accurate evaluation of reactivity. Subjective emotionality scores were correlated moderately with mean heart rates (rs > 0.33, P < 0.01) from the novel stimulus and isolation tests and with walking scores (rs = 0.47, P < 0.01) from the novel stimulus test. Assignment of subjective emotionality scores was not as accurate as the novel stimulus or isolation tests in ranking horses for reactivity. Using physiological data alone, combining physiological and behavioural measurements or using more than one behavioural measurement in reactivity tests may reflect the reactivity of the horse better than a single behavioural measurement. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3578 |
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Le Scolan, N.; Hausberger, M.; Wolff, A. |
| Title |
Stability over situations in temperamental traits of horses as revealed by experimental and scoring approaches |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
1997 |
Publication |
Behavioural Processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
| Volume |
41 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
257-266 |
| Keywords |
Behavioural tests; Horse; Ratings; Temperament |
| Abstract |
Individual behavioural reactions of adult horses in a variety of experimental tests were compared with ratings by riding teachers. The tests were made in a non working situation, with the animals being released in an arena, a box (arena test, new object test, learning tests) or handled (new object/handling situation). The traits rated by teachers were fearfulness, nervousness, gregariousness and learning abilities at work (ridden or handled). Despite a great homogeneity in the reactions exhibited by the horses in the different situations, large individual differences were present. Correlations appeared between the reactivity in the arena test and the score of gregariousness, between the reactivity in the novel object test and the rating of nervousness when ridden, between the results in the handling test and the rating of general fearfulness and between the ability to memorise an instrumental task and the score of general learning ability. Such results strengthen the idea that there are underlying behavioural dispositions that are stable across situations and that the experimental tests may be good predictors of the temperament in untrained animals. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3591 |
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Gerber, V.; Robinson, N.E.; Luethi, S.; Marti, E.; Wampfler, B.; Straub, R. |
| Title |
Airway inflammation and mucus in two age groups of asymptomatic well-performing sport horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
35 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
491-495 |
| Keywords |
Age Factors; Animals; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/*cytology; Female; Flow Cytometry/veterinary; Horse Diseases/*physiopathology; Horses; Housing, Animal; Inflammation/veterinary; Leukocyte Count/veterinary; Male; Mucus/*secretion; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Respiratory Function Tests/veterinary; Respiratory Tract Diseases/physiopathology/*veterinary; Sports |
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REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Horses housed in conventional stable environments are exposed to high dust loads. Long-term exposure to inhaled dust may lead to subclinical airway disease. HYPOTHESES: Airway inflammation and mucus accumulation are 1) common in asymptomatic well-performing sport horses, 2) increased in older compared to younger individuals and 3) correlated. METHODS: Mucus quantity and quality (endoscopic scoring) and BALF differential cytology were assessed in 13 younger horses (mean age 5 years) and 13 older horses (mean age 15 years), which had no historical or clinical evidence of lower airway disease, were performing well and were housed permanently in a conventional stable environment. RESULTS: 1) Airway inflammation and/or mucus accumulation were very common. All sport horses showed evidence of subclinical inflammatory airway disease (IAD). 2) Older horses, having been exposed for 10 more years to a conventional stable environment, did not show increased subclinical airway inflammation or mucus accumulation. The only differences between the age groups were increased BALF total and lymphocyte cell counts in the younger horses. 3) Mucus quantity and quality scores were not significantly correlated with each other or with BALF neutrophil percentages and absolute numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Although clinically healthy and performing well, all of the examined horses housed in a conventional stable environment showed evidence of IAD. The degree of IAD was not increased in older horses that had not developed clinical signs. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The effect of subclinical degrees of IAD on performance in dressage and show jumping should be investigated further to better understand the clinical significance of IAD in sport horses. |
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Pulmonary Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA |
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0425-1644 |
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PMID:12875328 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3721 |
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Herholz, C.P.; Gerber, V.; Tschudi, P.; Straub, R.; Imhof, A.; Busato, A. |
| Title |
Use of volumetric capnography to identify pulmonary dysfunction in horses with and without clinically apparent recurrent airway obstruction |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
American Journal of Veterinary Research |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am J Vet Res |
| Volume |
64 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
338-345 |
| Keywords |
Aging; Airway Obstruction/*complications/diagnosis/*veterinary; Animals; Capnography/*methods/*veterinary; Female; Horse Diseases/*diagnosis; Horses; Lung Diseases/complications/*diagnosis/*veterinary; Male; Predictive Value of Tests |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether volumetric capnography indices could be used to differentiate between horses without recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and horses with RAO that were in clinical remission or that had clinically apparent RAO. ANIMALS: 70 adult Swiss Warmblood horses (20 used for pleasure riding and 50 used for dressage or show jumping). PROCEDURE: Horses were allocated to 4 groups on the basis of history, clinical signs, results of endoscopy, and cytologic findings (group 1, 21 healthy horses; group 2, 22 horses with RAO that were in remission; group 3, 16 horses with mild RAO; group 4, 11 horses with exacerbated RAO). Expiratory volume and CO2 curves were recorded by use of a computerized ultrasonic spirometer. Volumetric capnograms were plotted, and derived indices were calculated. RESULTS: Dead-space volume (VD) was calculated by use of the Bohr equation (VD(Bohr)) and for physiologic VD (VD(phys)). Ratios for VD(Bohr) to expiratory tidal volume (VT) and VD(phys) to V(T) as well as an index of effective CO2 elimination were significantly different among groups of horses. Age and use of the horses also significantly affected volumetric capnography indices. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ratios of VD(Bohr) to VT and VD(phys) to VT as well as an index of effective CO2 elimination were sufficiently sensitive measures to distinguish between healthy horses and horses with RAO in remission. To optimize the ability of volumetric capnography indices to differentiate among horses in heterogeneous populations, it is important to account for effects of age and specific use of the horses. |
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Department of Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, Langgasstr 124, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland |
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English |
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0002-9645 |
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PMID:12661875 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3724 |
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Herholz, C.; Straub, R.; Braendlin, C.; Imhof, A.; Luthi, S.; Busato, A. |
| Title |
Measurement of tidal breathing flow-volume loop indices in horses used for different sporting purposes with and without recurrent airway obstruction |
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Journal Article |
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2003 |
Publication |
The Veterinary Record |
Abbreviated Journal |
Vet. Rec. |
| Volume |
152 |
Issue |
10 |
Pages |
288-292 |
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Airway Obstruction/*physiopathology; Animals; Horses/*physiology; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*physiology; *Respiration; Respiratory Function Tests/*veterinary; Sports; Tidal Volume/physiology |
| Abstract |
Tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) indices in healthy horses and in horses suffering from mild and moderate to severe recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) were measured. In addition, the ability of these indices to differentiate healthy controls from horses with mild RAO by separating the horses according to their usage was investigated. The horses were assigned to three sporting categories: 1 Leisure horses; 2 Horses competing at events with a duration of more than five minutes (eventing, coaching and endurance); and 3 Horses competing at events with a duration of less than five minutes (dressage and show jumping). Flow-volume curves were recorded with an ultrasonic spirometer and TBFVL indices were calculated with specially dedicated software. The sporting usage of the horses had a significant effect on the differentiating ability of TBFVL indices in diagnosing different degrees of RAO. The index TIF50 differentiated control horses from horses with minor RAO in all sporting categories. |
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Department of Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, Langgasstrasse 124, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland |
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0042-4900 |
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PMID:12650471 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3725 |
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Robert, C.; Valette, J.P.; Denoix, J.M. |
| Title |
Correlation between routine radiographic findings and early racing career in French trotters |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J Suppl |
| Volume |
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Issue |
36 |
Pages |
473-478 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Bone and Bones/anatomy & histology/pathology/*radiography; Carpus, Animal/anatomy & histology/pathology/radiography; Horse Diseases/diagnosis/radiography; Horses/*anatomy & histology/*physiology; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*physiology; Predictive Value of Tests; Sports; Stifle/anatomy & histology/pathology/radiography; Tarsus, Animal/anatomy & histology/pathology/radiography |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The relationship between the presence of radiological abnormalities and subsequent racing performance is controversial. However, as training is expensive and time consuming, it would save time and money to identify subjects with osteo-articular lesions not compatible with a normal racing career on the basis of routine radiographic screenings at yearling age. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of osteo-articular lesions on racing ability in French Trotters and identify radiographic changes associated with failure in 'qualification', in order to provide objective criteria for selection of horses based on their osteo-articular status. HYPOTHESIS: The influence of radiographic findings (RF) on racing ability depends on their nature, location, clinical relevance and number. METHODS: The limbs of 202 French Trotters were radiographed just before they started training. All the RF were graded according to a standardised protocol depending on their severity. The success in 'qualification' (first race in career of French Trotters) was the criteria used to assess racing ability. Breeders and trainers were questioned about the causes for horses not racing. RESULTS: Overall 113 (55.9%) horses qualified. Osteoarticular lesions were directly responsible for nonqualification in 31% of the horses. Subjects with more than one abnormal RF, with abnormal RF on the fore-, hind-fetlock or proximal tarsus were less likely to qualify. Dorsal modelling in the front fetlock and osteochondrosis of the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur also significantly reduced the qualification rate. CONCLUSIONS: Most RF are compatible with beginning a racing career, but severe RF or multiple abnormal RF significantly compromise future racing career. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study supports the use of routine radiographic programmes for detection of osteoarticular lesions in yearlings. A synthetic radiographic score, based on both the severity and the number of lesions, could be useful for breeders and trainers as complementary information to select their horses. |
| Address |
UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomecanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du Cheval, Ecole Veterinaire d'Alfort, 7 Av. du Gal de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France |
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PMID:17402469 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4002 |
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Ikeda, M.; Patterson, K.; Graham, K.S.; Ralph, M.A.L.; Hodges, J.R. |
| Title |
A horse of a different colour: do patients with semantic dementia recognise different versions of the same object as the same? |
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Journal Article |
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2006 |
Publication |
Neuropsychologia |
Abbreviated Journal |
Neuropsychologia |
| Volume |
44 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
566-575 |
| Keywords |
Adult; Aged; Anomia/diagnosis/psychology; Atrophy; *Attention; Color Perception; Dementia/*diagnosis/psychology; *Discrimination Learning; Dominance, Cerebral; Female; Humans; Male; *Memory, Short-Term; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Orientation; *Pattern Recognition, Visual; Reference Values; Retention (Psychology); Semantics; Size Perception; Temporal Lobe/pathology |
| Abstract |
Ten patients with semantic dementia resulting from bilateral anterior temporal lobe atrophy, and 10 matched controls, were tested on an object recognition task in which they were invited to choose (from a four-item array) the picture representing “the same thing” as an object picture that they had just inspected and attempted to name. The target in the response array was never physically identical to the studied picture but differed from it – in the various conditions – in size, angle of view, colour or exemplar (e.g. a different breed of dog). In one test block for each patient, the response array was presented immediately after the studied picture was removed; in another block, a 2 min filled delay was inserted between study and test. The patients performed relatively well when the studied object and target response differed only in the size of the picture on the page, but were significantly impaired as a group in the other three type-of-change conditions, even with no delay between study and test. The five patients whose structural brain imaging revealed major right-temporal atrophy were more impaired overall, and also more affected by the 2 min delay, than the five patients with an asymmetric pattern characterised by predominant left-sided atrophy. These results are interpreted in terms of a hypothesis that successful classification of an object token as an object type is not a pre-semantic ability but rather results from interaction of perceptual and conceptual processing. |
| Address |
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon City, Ehime 791-0295, Japan. mikeda@m.ehime-u.ac.jp |
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0028-3932 |
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PMID:16115656 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4059 |
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Touma, C.; Palme, R.; Sachser, N. |
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Analyzing corticosterone metabolites in fecal samples of mice: a noninvasive technique to monitor stress hormones |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Hormones and Behavior |
Abbreviated Journal |
Horm Behav |
| Volume |
45 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
10-22 |
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Adrenal Cortex/drug effects; Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/pharmacology; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Corticosterone/*analysis/metabolism; Dexamethasone/pharmacology; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Immunoenzyme Techniques/*methods; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Animal; Reproducibility of Results; Stress, Psychological/*metabolism |
| Abstract |
In small animals like mice, the monitoring of endocrine functions over time is constrained seriously by the adverse effects of blood sampling. Therefore, noninvasive techniques to monitor, for example, stress hormones in these animals are highly demanded in laboratory as well as in field research. The aim of our study was to evaluate the biological relevance of a recently developed technique to monitor stress hormone metabolites in fecal samples of laboratory mice. In total, six experiments were performed using six male and six female mice each. Two adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge tests, two dexamethasone (Dex) suppression tests and two control experiments [investigating effects of the injection procedure itself and the diurnal variation (DV) of glucocorticoids (GCs), respectively] were conducted. The experiments clearly demonstrated that pharmacological stimulation and suppression of adrenocortical activity was reflected accurately by means of corticosterone metabolite (CM) measurements in the feces of males and females. Furthermore, the technique proved sensitive enough to detect dosage-dependent effects of the ACTH/Dex treatment and facilitated to reveal profound effects of the injection procedure itself. Even the naturally occurring DV of GCs could be monitored reliably. Thus, our results confirm that measurement of fecal CM with the recently established 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,11beta,21-triol-20-one enzyme immunoassay is a very powerful tool to monitor adrenocortical activity in laboratory mice. Since mice represent the vast majority of all rodents used for research worldwide and the number of transgenic and knockout mice utilized as animal models is still increasing, this noninvasive technique can open new perspectives in biomedical and behavioral science. |
| Address |
Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany. touma@uni-muenster.de |
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English |
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0018-506X |
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PMID:14733887 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4084 |
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