Records |
Author |
Aurich, J.; Wulf, M.; Ille, N.; Erber, R.; von Lewinski, M.; Palme, R.; Aurich, C. |
Title |
Effects of season, age, sex and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2015 |
Publication |
Domestic Animal Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
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Keywords |
horse; cortisol; diurnal rhythm; reproduction; housing |
Abstract |
Abstract Analysis of salivary cortisol is increasingly used to assess stress responses in horses. Since spontaneous or experimentally induced increases in cortisol concentrations are often relatively small for stress studies proper controls are needed. This requires an understanding of factors affecting salivary cortisol over longer times. In this study, we have analysed salivary cortisol concentration over 6 mo in horses (n = 94) differing in age, sex, reproductive state and housing. Salivary cortisol followed a diurnal rhythm with highest concentrations in the morning and a decrease throughout the day (P < 0.001). This rhythm was disrupted in individual groups on individual days; however, alterations remained within the range of diurnal changes. Comparison between months showed highest cortisol concentrations in December (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations increased in breeding stallions during the breeding season (P < 0.001). No differences in salivary cortisol concentrations between non-pregnant mares with and without a corpus luteum existed. In stallions, mean daily salivary cortisol and plasma testosterone concentration were weakly correlated (r = 0.251, P < 0.01). No differences in salivary cortisol between female and male young horses and no consistent differences between horses of different age existed. Group housing and individual stabling did not affect salivary cortisol. In conclusion, salivary cortisol concentrations in horses follow a diurnal rhythm and are increased in active breeding sires. Time of the day and reproductive state of the horses are thus important for experiments that include analysis of cortisol in saliva. |
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0739-7240 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5847 |
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Author |
Oliveira-Santos, L.G.R.; Machado-Filho, L.C.P.; Tortato, M.A.; Brusius, L. |
Title |
Influence of extrinsic variables on activity and habitat selection of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the coastal sand plain shrub, southern Brazil |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2010 |
Publication |
Mammalian Biology – Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
75 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
219-226 |
Keywords |
Behaviour; Circadian rhythmic; Moonlight; Rainfall; Temperature |
Abstract |
The objectives of this research were to: 1. evaluate the circadian activity patterns of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) throughout the seasons and 2. study the influence of moonlight, temperature and rainfall on the activity patterns and habitat selection of this species, in the coastal sand shrub in southern Brazil. From June 2005 to June 2006, eight tapirs were monitored in a large enclosure containing open and vegetation-covered areas, using four camera traps. Differences in activity patterns within seasons were found. Tapir predominately presented nocturnal-crepuscular activity; however, they differed in the winter, with cathemeral activity patterns. Covered areas were mostly used during periods of extreme temperatures, with less diurnal and more nocturnal activities within these areas, on hotter days. Activity in open areas mainly occurred during periods of intermediate temperatures, both during the day and in the night. Moonlight intensity did not influence nocturnal activities. On days of precipitation of 34 mm or more, there was no record of open-area activities, despite constant activity in covered-area. |
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ISSN |
1616-5047 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
6140 |
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Author |
Perez-Cruz, C.; Simon, M.; Czéh, B.; Flügge, G.; Fuchs, E. |
Title |
Hemispheric differences in basilar dendrites and spines of pyramidal neurons in the rat prelimbic cortex: activity- and stress-induced changes |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2009 |
Publication |
European Journal of Neuroscience |
Abbreviated Journal |
Eur. J. Neurosci. |
Volume |
29 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
738-747 |
Keywords |
dendrite; diurnal rhythm; lateralization; prefrontal cortex; spine |
Abstract |
Abstract Pyramidal neurons of the rat medial prefrontal cortex have been shown to react to chronic stress by retracting their apical dendrites and by spine loss. We extended these findings by focusing on the basilar dendritic tree of layer III pyramidal neurons in both hemispheres of the rat prelimbic cortex. Animals were subjected to daily restraint stress for 1 week (6 h/day), during either the resting or the activity period. The morphology of basilar dendrites and spines of Golgi–Cox-stained neurons in the left and right hemispheres was digitally reconstructed and analyzed. We observed the following: (i) there was an inherent hemispheric asymmetry in control rats during the resting period: the number of spines on proximal dendrites was higher in the left than in the right hemisphere; (ii) basal dendrites in controls displayed a diurnal variation: there was more dendritic material during the resting period than in the activity period; (iii) chronic stress reduced the length of basal dendrites in only the right prelimbic cortex; (iv) chronic stress reduced spine density on proximal basal dendrites; (v) restraint stress during the activity period had more pronounced effects on the physiological stress parameters than restraint stress during the resting period. Our results show dynamic hemisphere-dependent structural changes in pyramidal neurons of the rat prelimbic cortex that are tightly linked to periods of resting and activity. These morphological alterations reflect the capacity of the neurons to react to external stimuli and mirror presumptive changes in neuronal communication. |
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Blackwell Publishing Ltd |
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ISSN |
1460-9568 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5355 |
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Author |
Slingerland, L.I.; Robben, J.H.; Schaafsma, I.; Kooistra, H.S. |
Title |
Response of cats to familiar and unfamiliar human contact using continuous direct arterial blood pressure measurement |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2008 |
Publication |
Research in Veterinary Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
85 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
575-582 |
Keywords |
Behaviour; Activity; Technique; White-coat effect; Diurnal rhythm; Invasive |
Abstract |
Continuous direct measurement of feline arterial blood pressure (ABP) was carried out via a modified method with percutaneous, ultrasound guided catheterization of the common carotid artery. In 21 healthy, conscious cats the ABP was measured during rest, alertness and activity. Furthermore, the ABP response to being petted by familiar and unfamiliar persons was assessed. Linear mixed modelling revealed that the mean blood pressure (MBP) in resting cats (114.6 mmHg) was lower (P < 0.001) than in alert cats (122.7 mmHg), which was lower (P < 0.001) than that of active cats (136.8 mmHg). The MBP during petting by a familiar person (144.7 mmHg) tended to be higher (P = 0.065) than that during petting by an unfamiliar person (139.4 mmHg). The MBP of active cats was lower (P = 0.003) than MBP of cats petted by a familiar person, but not different from MBP of cats petted by an unfamiliar person. The MBP returned to resting values between 16 and 20 min after the familiar person had left, whereas resting values were reached between 11 and 15 min after the unfamiliar person had left. The complications of the described method were limited considering the potential risks of continuous direct ABP measurement. In conclusion, the described technique enables accurate measurement of feline ABP, which is influenced by the cat's activity level and the familiarity of persons. |
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0034-5288 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4982 |
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Author |
Petruso, E.J.; Fuchs, T.; Bingman, V.P. |
Title |
Time-space learning in homing pigeons (Columba livia): orientation to an artificial light source |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2007 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
Volume |
10 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
181-188 |
Keywords |
Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Columbidae/*physiology; Homing Behavior/physiology; Learning/*physiology; *Light; Orientation/*physiology; Space Perception/*physiology; Time Perception/*physiology |
Abstract |
Time-space learning reflects an ability to represent in memory event-stimulus properties together with the place and time of the event; a capacity well developed in birds. Homing pigeons were trained in an indoor octagonal arena to locate one food goal in the morning and a different food goal in the late afternoon. The goals differed with respect to their angular/directional relationship to an artificial light source located outside the arena. Further, the angular difference in reward position approximated the displacement of the sun's azimuth that would occur during the same time period. The experimental birds quickly learned the task, demonstrating the apparent ease with which birds can adopt an artificial light source to discriminate among alternative spatial responses at different times of the day. However, a novel midday probe session following successful learning revealed that the light source was interpreted as a stable landmark and not as a surrogate sun that would support compass orientation. Probe sessions following a phase shift of the light-dark cycle revealed that the mechanism employed to make the temporal discrimination was prevailingly based on an endogenous circadian rhythm and not an interval timing mechanism. |
Address |
Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA |
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English |
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ISSN |
1435-9448 |
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Notes |
PMID:17160343 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2432 |
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Author |
Dalmau, A.; Ferret, A.; Chacon, G.; Manteca, X. |
Title |
Seasonal Changes in Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Pyrenean Chamois |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2007 |
Publication |
Journal of Wildlife Management |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Wildl Manag |
Volume |
71 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
190-194 |
Keywords |
Cadí-Moixeró, Nature Reserve, chamois, cortisol metabolites, feces, hunting reserve, Pyrenees, Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica, seasonal rhythm, stress |
Abstract |
We studied seasonal changes in fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM), which have been widely used as indicators of stress, in a population of Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) in the Cadí Range of northeastern Spain. We collected fecal samples from 2001 to 2003 in 3 particular locations with different altitudes and male or female presence, and we analyzed them for FCM and fecal nitrogen as an indicator of diet quality. We observed a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest FCM in winter, and we obtained correlations between FCM and monthly mean minimum temperatures and fecal nitrogen. We observed no effects of tourism presence, trophy hunting, or rut season on FCM. Analysis of cortisol metabolites in feces can be a good measure of winter stress in Pyrenean chamois. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4254 |
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Author |
Keay, J.M.; Singh, J.; Gaunt, M.C.; Kaur, T. |
Title |
Fecal glucocorticoids and their metabolites as indicators of stress in various mammalian species: a literature review |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2006 |
Publication |
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Zoo Wildl Med |
Volume |
37 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
234-244 |
Keywords |
Animals; *Animals, Wild/metabolism; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods/veterinary; Circadian Rhythm; Conservation of Natural Resources; *Ecosystem; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/*analysis/metabolism; Humans; Seasons; Species Specificity; Specimen Handling/methods/veterinary; Stress, Psychological/*metabolism |
Abstract |
Conservation medicine is a discipline in which researchers and conservationists study and respond to the dynamic interplay between animals, humans, and the environment. From a wildlife perspective, animal species are encountering stressors from numerous sources. With the rapidly increasing human population, a corresponding increased demand for food, fuel, and shelter; habitat destruction; and increased competition for natural resources, the health and well-being of wild animal populations is increasingly at risk of disease and endangerment. Scientific data are needed to measure the impact that human encroachment is having on wildlife. Nonbiased biometric data provide a means to measure the amount of stress being imposed on animals from humans, the environment, and other animals. The stress response in animals functions via glucocorticoid metabolism and is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Fecal glucocorticoids, in particular, may be an extremely useful biometric test, since sample collection is noninvasive to subjects and, therefore, does not introduce other variables that may alter assay results. For this reason, many researchers and conservationists have begun to use fecal glucocorticoids as a means to measure stress in various animal species. This review article summarizes the literature on many studies in which fecal glucocorticoids and their metabolites have been used to assess stress levels in various mammalian species. Variations between studies are the main focus of this review. Collection methods, storage conditions, shipping procedures, and laboratory techniques utilized by different researchers are discussed. |
Address |
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, 0442 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA |
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English |
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ISSN |
1042-7260 |
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PMID:17319120 |
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no |
Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
616 |
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Author |
Piccione, G.; Caola, G.; Refinetti, R. |
Title |
Temporal relationships of 21 physiological variables in horse and sheep |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2005 |
Publication |
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol |
Volume |
142 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
389-396 |
Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal/physiology; Blood Glucose/physiology; Body Temperature/*physiology; Circadian Rhythm/*physiology; Female; Horses/*physiology; Melatonin/blood/*physiology; Motor Activity/*physiology; Rectum/physiology; Sheep/*physiology; Time Factors |
Abstract |
Daily or circadian oscillation has been documented in a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. Although individual variables have been studied in great detail, very few studies have been conducted on the temporal relationships between the rhythms of different variables. It is not known whether the circadian pacemaker generates each and every rhythm individually or whether most rhythms are simply derived from a few clock-controlled rhythms. As a first step in elucidating this issue, 21 physiological variables were recorded simultaneously in horse and sheep. The results indicated that, in both species, different variables exhibit different degrees of daily rhythmicity and reach their daily peaks at different times of the day. The variables exhibiting strongest rhythmicity were locomotor activity, rectal temperature, and plasma concentrations of melatonin and glucose. Comparison of rhythmicity and acrophase in the various rhythms allowed inferences to be made about mechanisms of causation. |
Address |
Dipartimento di Morfologia, Biochimica, Fisiologia e Produzioni Animali, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita degli Studi di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy |
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English |
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ISSN |
1095-6433 |
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PMID:16290083 |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1884 |
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Author |
Touma, C.; Palme, R. |
Title |
Measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in mammals and birds: the importance of validation |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
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Pages |
54-74 |
Keywords |
Animals; Birds/*metabolism; Circadian Rhythm; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/*analysis; Mammals/*metabolism; Reproducibility of Results; Seasons; Sex Factors |
Abstract |
In recent years, the noninvasive monitoring of steroid hormone metabolites in feces of mammals and droppings of birds has become an increasingly popular technique. It offers several advantages and has been applied to a variety of species under various settings. However, using this technique to reliably assess an animal's adrenocortical activity is not that simple and straightforward to apply. Because clear differences regarding the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) exist, a careful validation for each species and sex investigated is obligatory. In this review, general analytical issues regarding sample storage, extraction procedures, and immunoassays are briefly discussed, but the main focus lies on experiments and recommendations addressing the validation of fecal GCM measurements in mammals and birds. The crucial importance of scrutinizing the physiological and biological validity of fecal GCM analyses in a given species is stressed. In particular, the relevance of the technique to detect biologically meaningful alterations in adrenocortical activity must be shown. Furthermore, significant effects of the animals' sex, the time of day, season, and different life history stages are discussed, bringing about the necessity to seriously consider possible sex differences as well as diurnal and seasonal variations. Thus, comprehensive information on the animals' biology and stress physiology should be carefully taken into account. Together with an extensive physiological and biological validation, this will ensure that the measurement of fecal GCMs can be used as a powerful tool to assess adrenocortical activity in diverse investigations on laboratory, companion, farm, zoo, and wild animals. |
Address |
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, D-80804 Munich, Germany. touma@mpipsykl.mpg.de |
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English |
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ISSN |
0077-8923 |
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PMID:16055843 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4073 |
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Author |
Thiel, D.; Jenni-Eiermann, S.; Palme, R. |
Title |
Measuring corticosterone metabolites in droppings of capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
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Pages |
96-108 |
Keywords |
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/administration & dosage/analysis/metabolism; Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Corticosterone/administration & dosage/*analysis/*metabolism; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Freezing; Galliformes/*metabolism; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Sex Factors; Temperature; Time Factors; Tritium/diagnostic use |
Abstract |
The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the largest grouse species in the world, is decreasing in numbers in major parts of its distribution range. Disturbances by human outdoor activities are discussed as a possible reason for this population decline. An indicator for disturbances is the increase of the glucocorticoid corticosterone, a stress hormone, which helps to cope with life-threatening situations. However, repeated disturbances might result in a long-term increase of the basal corticosterone concentration, which can result in detrimental effects like reduced fitness and survival of an animal. To measure corticosterone metabolites (CMs) noninvasively in the droppings of free-living capercaillies, first an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in captive birds had to be selected and validated. Therefore, the excretion pattern of intravenously injected radiolabeled corticosterone was determined and 3H metabolites were characterized. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations of the samples containing peak concentrations revealed that corticosterone was extensively metabolized. The HPLC fractions were tested in several EIAs for glucocorticoid metabolites. The physiological relevance of this method was proved after pharmacological stimulation of the adrenocortical activity. Only the recently established cortisone assay, measuring CMs with a 3,11-dione structure, detected an expressed increase of concentrations following ACTH stimulation. To set up a sampling protocol suited for the field, we examined the influence of various storage conditions and time of day on concentrations of CMs. |
Address |
Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland. dominik.thiel@vogelwarte.ch |
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English |
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0077-8923 |
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PMID:16055846 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4079 |
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