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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 2015 Publication Domestic Animal Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Domest. Anim. Endocrinol.
Volume Issue Pages (up)
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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ISSN 0739-7240 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5847
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Author Klingel, H.
Title Social organization and reproduction in equids Type Journal Article
Year 1975 Publication Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement Abbreviated Journal J Reprod Fertil Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages (up) 7-11
Keywords Animals; Behavior, Animal; Female; Male; Perissodactyla/*physiology; Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Behavior; Territoriality
Abstract There are two distinct types of social organization and, accordingly, two types of mating systems in equids. In the horse, Plains zebra and Mountain zebra, the adults live in non-territorial and cohesive one-male groups and in stallion groups. The family stallions have exclusive mating rights which are respected by all others. In Grevy's zebra and in the African and Asiatic wild asses, the stallions are permanently territorial and have exclusive mating rights within their territories. Ecological and evolutionary aspects are discussed.
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0449-3087 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:1060868 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2303
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Author Feist, J.D.; McCullough, D.R.
Title Reproduction in feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 1975 Publication Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement Abbreviated Journal J Reprod Fertil Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages (up) 13-18
Keywords Age Factors; Animals; Female; Horses/*physiology; Leadership; Male; Maternal Behavior; Population; Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Dominance; Sucking Behavior
Abstract A behavioural study of feral horses was conducted on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in the western United States. All 270 horses on the Range were identified individually. The sex ratio was nearly balanced. Foal to adult female ratio was 43-2:100. Morality was concentrated among foals and old horses. Horses were organized as forty-four harem groups each with a dominant stallion, one to two immature stallions, one to three immature mares, one to three adult mares and their yearling and foal offspring, and 23 bachelor groups of one to eight stallions. Harem groups were quite stable year-round because of dominance and leadership by the stallions and group fidelity by mares and their offsring. Most changes occurred during the breeding season and involved immature females. Defeat of dominant stallions was infrequent. Immature males were tolerated because of their submissive behaviour. Bachelor stallion groups were inherently unstable. Mares came into heat after foaling in May/June, and were mated by harem stallions only.
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0449-3087 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:1060766 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1964
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Author Franceschini, C.; Siutz, C.; Palme, R.; Millesi, E.
Title Seasonal changes in cortisol and progesterone secretion in Common hamsters Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication General and Comparative Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Gen Comp Endocrinol
Volume 152 Issue 1 Pages (up) 14-21
Keywords Animals; Cortisone/*secretion; Cricetinae/*metabolism; Feces/chemistry; Female; Lactation/physiology; Male; Pregnancy; Progesterone/*secretion; Reproduction/physiology; *Seasons; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology
Abstract In this study, we investigated endocrine factors and behaviour in free-living Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) during reproductive and non-reproductive periods of the annual cycle. We applied a non-invasive method to gain information on seasonal changes in adrenocortical activity in male and female hamsters by analysing faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (FCM). In addition, plasma progesterone concentrations were monitored in females throughout the non-hibernation season. The animals were live-trapped from spring emergence until the onset of hibernation in autumn. Reproductive status was determined at capture and blood and faecal samples were collected. During behavioural observations, agonistic and sexual interactions were recorded. FCM concentrations were significantly higher in males than in females during the reproductive period. In males, a pronounced increase in FCM during the reproductive period coincided with high frequencies of intrasexual aggression. In females, FCM levels remained relatively constant. Aggressive behaviour in females increased during the reproductive period, but was much less frequent than in males. Females, which successfully raised a second litter after a postpartum oestrus and concurrent lactation and gestation had lower FCM levels than individuals, which lost their second litter after parturition. As expected, plasma progesterone concentrations were low before and after the reproductive period. During gestation, levels peaked and remained elevated during lactation. The results of this field study provide insight in critical periods associated with reproduction in male and female Common hamsters.
Address Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. claudia.franceschini@univie.ac.ct
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ISSN 0016-6480 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17408667 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4076
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Author Moehlman, P.D.
Title Endangered wild equids Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Scientific American Abbreviated Journal Sci Am
Volume 292 Issue 3 Pages (up) 74-81
Keywords Africa; Americas; Animals; *Animals, Wild/physiology; Asia; *Conservation of Energy Resources; Environment; *Equidae/physiology; Food Chain; Humans; Male; Reproduction
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Address IUCN-The World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission Equid Specialist Group
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0036-8733 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15859216 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 551
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Author Rizhova, L.Y.; Kokorina, E.P.
Title Behavioural asymmetry is involved in regulation of autonomic processes: Left side presentation of food improves reproduction and lactation in cows Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Behavioural Brain Research Abbreviated Journal Behav. Brain. Res.
Volume 161 Issue 1 Pages (up) 75-81
Keywords Behavioural asymmetry; Somatic functions; Reproduction; Lactation
Abstract It is known that the right and left brain hemispheres differ in their ability to regulate autonomic processes in the organism. Direct unilateral stimulation of the brain provokes side-dependent endocrine, immune and other visceral reactions. Since brain hemispheres are mainly involved in the regulation of muscles and sensory organs on the contra lateral side of the body the activation of behavioural asymmetry stimulates the contra lateral half of the brain. The important theoretical and practical question of whether autonomic processes can be regulated via the behavioural asymmetry route remains unexplored. In this study, we report that the chronic presentation of an emotionally important stimulus--food--from the left side, improves reproductive performance in animals in a broad range of feeding conditions. The unilateral presentation of food can also influence lactation, but in this case the side-dependent effects are different under varying feeding conditions. This finding opens a simple practical approach to influence basic somatic functions in the organism.
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ISSN 0166-4328 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5348
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Author Amdam, G.V.; Csondes, A.; Fondrk, M.K.; Page, R.E.J.
Title Complex social behaviour derived from maternal reproductive traits Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Nature Abbreviated Journal Nature
Volume 439 Issue 7072 Pages (up) 76-78
Keywords Aging/physiology; Animals; Bees/*physiology; *Evolution; Feeding Behavior/*physiology; Female; Infertility, Female; Maternal Behavior/*physiology; Ovary/physiology; Pollen/metabolism; Reproduction/*physiology; *Social Behavior
Abstract A fundamental goal of sociobiology is to explain how complex social behaviour evolves, especially in social insects, the exemplars of social living. Although still the subject of much controversy, recent theoretical explanations have focused on the evolutionary origins of worker behaviour (assistance from daughters that remain in the nest and help their mother to reproduce) through expression of maternal care behaviour towards siblings. A key prediction of this evolutionary model is that traits involved in maternal care have been co-opted through heterochronous expression of maternal genes to result in sib-care, the hallmark of highly evolved social life in insects. A coupling of maternal behaviour to reproductive status evolved in solitary insects, and was a ready substrate for the evolution of worker-containing societies. Here we show that division of foraging labour among worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) is linked to the reproductive status of facultatively sterile females. We thereby identify the evolutionary origin of a widely expressed social-insect behavioural syndrome, and provide a direct demonstration of how variation in maternal reproductive traits gives rise to complex social behaviour in non-reproductive helpers.
Address Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA. Gro.Amdam@asu.edu
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1476-4687 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16397498 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 531
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Author Nelson, W.A.; Keirans, J.E.; Bell, J.F.; Clifford, C.M.
Title Host-ectoparasite relationships Type Journal Article
Year 1975 Publication Journal of Medical Entomology Abbreviated Journal J Med Entomol
Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages (up) 143-166
Keywords Animal Nutrition Physiology; Animals; Anoplura/physiology; *Arthropods; Birds/parasitology; Chickens/parasitology; Dermacentor/parasitology; Diptera; Ecology; Feeding Behavior; Female; Horses/parasitology; Humans; Male; Mallophaga/physiology; Mice/parasitology; Mites/physiology; Reproduction; Sarcoptes scabiei/physiology; Sheep/parasitology; Skin/parasitology; Ticks/physiology; Toxins, Biological/toxicity; Trombiculidae/physiology
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-2585 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:808617 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2704
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Author Ganswindt, A.; Palme, R.; Heistermann, M.; Borragan, S.; Hodges, J.K.
Title Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and its relation to musth Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication General and Comparative Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Gen Comp Endocrinol
Volume 134 Issue 2 Pages (up) 156-166
Keywords Adrenal Cortex/*metabolism/secretion; Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/methods/*veterinary; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/physiology; Animals; Carbon Isotopes/diagnostic use; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/veterinary; Elephants/*metabolism/urine; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/analysis/urine; Hydrocortisone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine; Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods/veterinary; Male; Reproduction/physiology; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology; Stress, Psychological/diagnosis/*physiopathology; Testosterone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine
Abstract Adult male elephants periodically show the phenomenon of musth, a condition associated with increased aggressiveness, restlessness, significant weight reduction and markedly elevated androgen levels. It has been suggested that musth-related behaviours are costly and that therefore musth may represent a form of physiological stress. In order to provide data on this largely unanswered question, the first aim of this study was to evaluate different assays for non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant by (i) characterizing the metabolism and excretion of [3H]cortisol (3H-C) and [14C]testosterone (14C-T) and (ii) using this information to evaluate the specificity of four antibodies for determination of excreted cortisol metabolites, particularly with respect to possible cross-reactions with androgen metabolites, and to assess their biological validity using an ACTH challenge test. Based on the methodology established, the second objective was to provide data on fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations in bulls during the musth and non-musth condition. 3H-C (1 mCi) and 14C-T (100 microCi) were injected simultaneously into a 16 year old male and all urine and feces collected for 30 and 86 h, respectively. The majority (82%) of cortisol metabolites was excreted into the urine, whereas testosterone metabolites were mainly (57%) excreted into the feces. Almost all radioactive metabolites recovered from urine were conjugated (86% 3H-C and 97% 14C-T). In contrast, 86% and >99% of the 3H-C and 14C-T metabolites recovered from feces consisted of unconjugated forms. HPLC separations indicated the presence of various metabolites of cortisol in both urine and feces, with cortisol being abundant in hydrolysed urine, but virtually absent in feces. Although all antibodies measured substantial amounts of immunoreactivity after HPLC separation of peak radioactive samples and detected an increase in glucocorticoid output following the ACTH challenge, only two (in feces against 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites, measured by an 11-oxo-etiocholanolone-EIA and in urine against cortisol, measured by a cortisol-EIA) did not show substantial cross-reactivity with excreted 14C-T metabolites and could provide an acceptable degree of specificity for reliable assessment of glucocorticoid output from urine and feces. Based on these findings, concentrations of immunoreactive 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites were determined in weekly fecal samples collected from four adult bulls over periods of 11-20 months to examine whether musth is associated with increased adrenal activity. Results showed that in each male levels of these cortisol metabolites were not elevated during periods of musth, suggesting that in the African elephant musth is generally not associated with marked elevations in glucocorticoid output. Given the complex nature of musth and the variety of factors that are likely to influence its manifestation, it is clear, however, that further studies, particularly on free-ranging animals, are needed before a possible relationship between musth and adrenal function can be resolved. This study also clearly illustrates the potential problems associated with cross-reacting metabolites of gonadal steroids in EIAs measuring glucocorticoid metabolites. This has to be taken into account when selecting assays and interpreting results of glucocorticoid metabolite analysis, not only for studies in the elephant but also in other species.
Address German Primate Centre, Department of Reproductive Biology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Gottingen, Germany. ganswindt@www.dpz.gdwg.de
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ISSN 0016-6480 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:14511986 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4085
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Author Kaseda, Y.; Khalil, A.M.
Title Harem size and reproductive success of stallions in Misaki feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 1996 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 47 Issue 3-4 Pages (up) 163-173
Keywords Harem size; Horse social organization; Reproduction; Blood types; Misaki feral horse
Abstract Over a 16-year period (1979-1994), long-term investigations were carried out on 14 Misaki feral stallions to analyze changes in harem size and the reproductive success. Harem size changed with the age of the stallions. Most stallions formed harem groups with four to five mares at the age of 4-6 and then the number of mares increased rapidly to the maximum at the age of 6-9 years. Thereafter, harem size decreased gradually to a minimum with advancing age. The harem size of 60 stable harem groups ranged from 1 to 9, and the average varied from a minimum mean of 1.8 in 1988 to a maximum mean of 5.3 in 1982. Mean harem size increased as adult sex ratio increased and a significant and positive correlation was found between them. One hundred and ninety-eight sire-foal pairs were determined by a paternity test with blood types and consort relations between stallions and mares during the study period. Out of 99 foals which were born in the stable harem groups, the true sires of 84 foals (85%) were the harem stallions in which the foals were born but the remaining 15 foals (15%) were sired by other harem stallions. Two out of three stallions which were studied throughout their lifetime produced 24 and 25 foals in 10 and 11 years of their reproductive lifespan, respectively. Another one produced only five foals in 6 years. The number of foals sired by the harem stallions was less than two over harem size 7 and some of the foals born in the harem were sired by other harem stallions. These results suggest that if a particular stallion monopolizes too many mares, he could not sire so many offspring because he could not always prevent his rival stallions from mating with his mares in wild or feral circumstances.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2308
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