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White, A. M., Swaisgood, R. R., & Czekala, N. (2007). Ranging patterns in white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum simum: implications for mating strategies. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 74(2), 349–356.
Abstract: How animals use space has important consequences for feeding ecology, social organization, mating strategies and conservation management. In white rhinoceros, female home ranges are much larger than male territories, suggesting that movement patterns are influenced by factors other than resource distribution. In this study we placed radiotransmitters on 15 female white rhinoceros, recording 1758 locations and collecting behavioural data during 1671 observation sessions, making this the largest data set of its kind in this species. We investigated how habitat variables and male territories influenced female movement and reproductive behaviour. Female home ranges were approximately 20 km2 and core areas were 5 km2, with male territories roughly the same size as female core areas. Female range size did not vary with season, but the pattern of space use did vary. Females used grassland habitat preferentially, utilizing these areas significantly more than expected based on availability. Findings relevant to the mating strategy include: (1) the amount of grassland in a male's territory predicted female use of the territory; (2) the time that a female spent in a male's territory was a significant predictor of reproductive activity with the male, indicating that females probably mate with the most familiar male; and (3) the temporal pattern of female space use suggests that females did not increase mate sampling behaviour nor did they become more choosy about which males they visited when reproductively active. These findings suggest that males may maximize reproductive success by defending areas containing more grassland habitat.
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Gorgasser I., Tichy A., & Palme R. (2007). Faecal cortisol metabolites in Quarter Horses during initial training under field conditions[Messung der Kortisolmetaboliten im Pferdekot während der Grundausbildung von 2jährigen Quarter Horses]. Wien. Tierärztl. Mschr. – Vet. Med. Austria, 94, 226–230.
Abstract: The first month of training of a young horse is suspected to be stressful, but the endocrine responses to initial training are unknown. Therefore in our study a total of 40 Quarter Horses (QH), all at the age of almost 2 years, were followed during the first 30 days of their training. During this time faecal samples were collected twice daily and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were measured. Baseline values of FCM ranged between 1.3 and 20.1 (median: 6.7) ng/g faeces. No differences in FCM values between days of training were found. Mares showed the highest values. Significant diurnal variations were observed in mares (p=0.035) and stallions (p=0.003), but not in geldings (p=0.282). As in this study adrenocortical activity was not increased during initial training, horses seem to cope very well with this new situation. The results of our large-scale study provide basic physiological data about initial training. This gives additional input in an emotional debate about animal welfare aspects of first time handling and training of horses.
Abbreviations: 11,17-DOA = 11,17-dioxoandrostanes; EIA = Enyzme Immunoassay; FCM = faecal cortisol metabolites; GC = glucocorticoids; HPA-axis = hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical-axis; QH = Quarter Horses [Das Einreiten eines jungen Pferdes steht unter Verdacht belastend zu sein. Bisher gibt es aber keine Veröffentlichungen über endokrine Vorgänge während dieser Phase. Mit der vorliegenden Studie wurde überprüft, ob Pferde aufgrund physischer und psychischer Belastungen während des Trainings höhere Konzentrationen an Kortisolmetaboliten im Kot (FCM) aufweisen. Es wurden dazu 40 Quarter Horses im Alter von 2 Jahren während der ersten 30 Tage der Grundausbildung des Westernreitens beobachtet und ihre FCM Werte gemessen. Während dieser Zeitspanne wurden täglich morgens und abends Kotproben der Pferde genommen. Die Basalwerte der FCM Konzentration variierten zwischen 1,3 und 20,1 (Median: 6,7) ng/g Kot, wobei Stuten die höchsten Werte hatten. Signifikante Unterschiede während der einzelnen Trainingstage konnten nicht festgestellt werden. In der Tagesrhythmik wurden signifikante Unterschiede bei Stuten (p=0,035) und bei Hengsten (p=0,003), jedoch nicht bei Wallachen (p=0,282) ermittelt. In dieser Studie konnte keine erhöhte Aktivität der Nebennierenrinde im Verlauf der Grundausbildung eines Pferdes im Westernreitstil festgestellt werden. Das legt nahe, dass Pferde mit dieser neuen, zeitlich kurz andauernden Situationen gut zurechtkommen. Unsere Studie wurde an einer großen Anzahl von Tieren unter Feldbedingungen durchgeführt. Sie bietet daher eine gute Datenbasis über Belastungen während des Einreitens. Damit liefert sie einen zusätzlichen Beitrag zu einer mitunter emotional geführten Debatte über tierschutzrelevante Aspekte bei der Grundausbildung von Pferden.] |
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Schultz, P. N., Remick-Barlow, G. A., & Robbins, L. (2007). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: a mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health & Social Care in the Community, 15(3), 265–271.
Abstract: Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is a specialized form of psychotherapy using the horse as a therapeutic tool. This modality is designed to address self-esteem and personal confidence, communication and interpersonal effectiveness, trust, boundaries and limit-setting, and group cohesion. Substantial numbers of children witness family violence. There is evidence that violence between parents has adverse effects on the children in the family. These children are at greater risk of behavioural problems and mental health disorders, including anxiety, anger, depression and suicidal ideations, withdrawal, low self-esteem, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The purpose of the present pilot study was to test the efficacy of EAP in a cross-sectional group of children referred to a psychotherapist for various childhood behavioural and mental health issues over an 18-month period (June 2003–January 2005). Sixty-three children received a mean number of 19 EAP sessions. Scores on the Children's Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale were determined pre- and post-treatment. The mean (± standard deviation, SD) pretreatment score was 54.1 (SD 3.2) and post treatment mean score was 61.7 ± 5.0 (t = 9.06, d.f. = 96, P < 0.001). All children showed improvement in GAF scores, and there was a statistically significant correlation between the percentage improvement in the GAF scores and the number of sessions given (r = 0.73, P = 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the greatest improvement in the GAF scores occurred in the youngest of the subjects. Children in the group who had a history of physical abuse and neglect had a statistically significant greater percentage improvement in GAF scores after treatment than those who did not have a history of abuse and neglect. This study has demonstrated a quick response to EAP, especially in younger children, but it remains to be determined what kind of long-term effects this type of intervention may provide.
Keywords: children; equine; intra-family violence; mental health; psychotherapy
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May, A. (2007). Evaluierung von Stressparametern beim Pferd im Zusammenhang mit dem Klinikaufenthalt [Evaluation of stress parameters in the hospitalized horse]. Ph.D. thesis, LMU München, München.
Abstract: Ein Klinikaufenthalt stellt für Pferde eine Stresssituation dar und viele Pferde erkranken
während eines Klinikaufenthalts an Stress-assoziierten Erkrankungen. Eine der häufigsten ist die so genannte Colitis X, eine oft tödlich verlaufende Durchfallerkrankung. Da es im Verlauf dieser Erkrankungen zu einem Verlust der Tiere kommen kann, hat ihre Vermeidung oberste Priorität. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, herauszufinden, inwieweit bei den Pferden der klinisch erkennbare Stress mit Veränderungen messbarer Blutparameter (Hämatokrit, Gesamteiweiß, Leukozyten, Glukose, Laktat, Kortisol) einhergeht und dabei einen Parameter zu finden, mit dem Stress beim Klinikpatienten Pferd verlässlich und möglichst einfach evaluiert werden kann. Zudem wurden in dieser Studie Freie Sauerstoffradikale („oxidativer Stress“) und IgA im Kot bestimmt, um diese Parameter auf ihre klinische Verwendbarkeit zu prüfen und zu untersuchen, inwieweit Stress mit dem lokalen Immunglobulingehalt interferiert. Einigen ausgewählten Pferden wurde zudem der Paramunitätsinducer Zylexis® der Firma Pfizer appliziert, um dessen Wirkung auf die untersuchten Parameter festzustellen. Es wurden 110 Patienten der Klinik für Pferde untersucht, die in dem Zeitraum der Studie zufällig hospitalisiert wurden. Die Pferde wurden in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt. Eine Gruppe wurde in der Klinik operiert, die zweite nur stationär behandelt. Des Weiteren wurde eine Kontrollgruppe in ihrem Heimatstall zum Vergleich miteinbezogen, die in den letzten sechs Wochen vor der Studie nicht transportiert oder anderweitig belastet worden war. Den Pferden wurde in definierten Abständen Blut und Kot entnommen, um den Einfluss von Transport, Operation und Klinikstress möglichst gut zu erfassen. Die Zeitpunkte waren direkt nach der Einlieferung, am Morgen vor der Narkose, nach der Aufstehphase und sowohl einen als auch vier Tage nach der Narkose. Pferden, die nicht operiert wurden und der Kontrollgruppe wurden insgesamt dreimal Blut und Kot (Tag 1, 3, Tag vor der Entlassung) entnommen. Für die Zylexis®-Studie wurden Vitrektomie-Patienten ausgewählt, da diese ein gutes Beispiel für eine kurze, wenig traumatische Operation darstellen. Diese Pferde wurden mit den anderen Pferden, die leichten Operationen unterzogen wurden, verglichen. Bereits nach dem unterschiedlich langen Transport zeigten die Pferde signifikante Anstiege von Gesamtleukozytenzahl, dem Verhältnis neutrophiler Granulozyten zu Lymphozyten (N:L-Verhältnis), Glukose und den klinischen Parametern (Herzfrequenz, Atemfrequenz, Körpertemperatur). Die IgA-Konzentration im Kot sank bei den eingelieferten Pferden nach Einlieferung erst ab, um sich dann vermutlich durch den Kontakt mit den fremden Antigenen in der Klinik reflektorisch zu erhöhen. Auffällig war, dass die Kortisolkonzentration nach dem Transport bei den als „nervös, sensibel“ eingestuften Pferden signifikant höher lag als bei den „ruhigen, ausgeglichenen“ Pferden. Weitere deutliche Veränderungen zeigten sich nach den Operationen. Glukose, Kortisol und das N:L-Verhältnis wiesen nach den unterschiedlich langen Eingriffen höhere Konzentrationen auf. Die Laktatkonzentration stieg signifikant bereits nach der Operation und anschließend noch weiter nach der Aufstehphase. Dies ist primär auf die Muskelbelastung zurückzuführen, da Laktat vor allem muskulären Ursprungs ist. Hämatokrit und Gesamteiweiß sanken nach der Narkose aufgrund der intraoperativ verabreichten Infusionen ab. Einem starken hoch signifikanten Konzentrationsabfall unterlag auch der IgA-Gehalt im Kot. Dabei war kein Unterschied zwischen den verschiedenen Operationstraumata festzustellen. Ansonsten unterlagen die Pferde, die mit hochgradig gestörtem Allgemeinbefinden zu einer Notoperation eingeliefert wurden, viel deutlicheren Veränderungen als die anderen Pferde. Die Freien Radikale zeigten überhaupt keinen charakteristischen Verlauf. Sie schienen allerdings bei den chronisch erkrankten Pferden erhöht zu sein. Des Weiteren zeigten sie Erhöhungen bei bestimmten Erkrankungen („Equine Motor Neuron Disease“, Hufrehe). Bei den Pferden, die Zylexis® verabreicht bekamen, konnte eine Tendenz zur Verbesserung des Immunstatus nachgewiesen werden. Es fiel ein deutlich höherer Gesamteiweißgehalt auf, der wahrscheinlich auf eine vermehrte Produktion von Immunglobulinen zurückzuführen ist. Außerdem war die Kortisolkonzentration nach der Operation signifikant niedriger. Der IgAGehalt zeigte einen weniger deutlichen Konzentrationsabfall, was aber statistisch nicht belegt werden konnte. Die Untersuchungen zeigten, dass das N:L-Verhältnis und Glukose geeignete Parameter darstellen um zuverlässig den Stress, dem ein Pferd ausgesetzt ist, zu evaluieren. Kortisol ist vorsichtig zu interpretieren, da es großen individuellen Schwankungen ausgesetzt ist. Die Bestimmung von IgA im Kot gibt Aufschluss über den lokalen Immunstatus des Intestinaltrakts. Da es bei allen Pferden postoperativ zu signifikanten Konzentrationsabfällen kam, sind Pferde nach jeder Operation offensichtlich prädisponiert, eine Darmerkrankung, wie beispielsweise Colitis X, zu entwickeln. Kortisol scheint auch Einfluss auf das lokale Immunsystem zu nehmen, da hohe Kortisolwerte mit einem niedrigen IgA-Gehalt im Kot korrelierten. Um die Zusammenhänge der Blutparameter und der Colitis X näher zu erforschen und insbesondere um die „kritischen“ IgA-Konzentrationen zu ermitteln, wären noch weiterführende Untersuchungen aufschlußreich. [Many horses in clinics display symptoms of stress-associated diseases. One of the most feared is the so-called Colitis X, an often fatal ending diarrhea. As death occurs quite often in the course of those diseases, their avoidance has first priority. The aim of the following study was to find out whether signs of stress which are displayed by the horses correlate with measurable blood parameters. Furthermore we tried to find a parameter which was suitable to evaluate stress in hospitalized horses. Apart from the commonly measured parameters (hematocrit, total protein, leucocytes, glucose, lactate, corticosterone) we tried to include free oxygen radicals in this study. Immunoglobulin A in faeces was investigated to find out how stress interfered with the local immune system. A Paramunityinducer often used in Germany (Zylexis®) was administered to 10 selected horses to research its effect on the different parameters. 110 patients hospitalized in the horse clinic were examined. First the horses were organized into two groups. One group underwent surgery and the other one received stationary treatment. Furthermore a control group was taken into account which had not been transported or subjected to stress in six weeks prior to the study. The horses were drawn blood and collected faeces in defined intervals to register the influence of transport, operation and clinic stress. Blood samples were taken directly after the transport, prior to the operation, right after surgery and one day and four days after the operation. Horses which did not undergo surgery including the control group were drawn blood and faeces three times (day 1, 3, and the day prior to discharge from the clinic). For the paramunity investigation patients for vitrectomy were chosen as they display a good example for short little traumatic operations. Those were compared with other horses brought into the clinic for short operations. After the transport to the clinic horses showed significant increases in leukocyte concentration, N:L-ratio, glucose and the clinical parameters (heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature). The immunoglobulin concentration decreased after the transport to rapidly rise after contact with antigens from the clinic environment. Horses categorized as “nervous, sensitive” displayed significantly higher corticosterone concentrations after the transport than horses categorized as “cool, calm”. Other distinct variations showed after the operations. The lactate concentrations increased significantly after anaesthesia and went up even further after the horse got up afterwards. This is due to muscular fatigue as lactate is mainly produced in the muscles. Glucose, corticosterone and the N:L-ratio also displayed higher concentrations after the operation. Hematocrit and total protein concentrations decreased after anaesthesia ascribed to infusions during operation. After anaesthesia a highly significant reduction of immunoglobulin concentrations in the faeces was determined. No influence of the different operation traumas could be recognized. That was surprising as in all other cases horses in very bad general condition displayed distinct changes. The free oxygen radicals did not show any characteristic pattern. There appeared to be a higher concentration in horses with chronic illnesses. Furthermore some diseases, like Equine Motor Neuron Disease and laminitis, seemed to have an increasing impact on the oxygen radicals. Zylexis® showed a tendency to improve the immune status of the horses in this study. The paramunized horses had more total serum protein than the others. This could be due to an increased production of Immunoglobulins. Additionally the corticosterone concentration after the operation stayed on a significantly lower level. The local immunoglobulin A concentrations did not appear to decrease as much as in the non-paramunized horses but it was not possible to statistically prove this statement. The results of this study show that the N:L-ratio and glucose might be suitable parameters to reliably evaluate the stress that has an effect on the hospitalized horse. Corticosterone values have to be interpreted carefully as they are very prone to individual variations. Measuring immunoglobulins in faeces provides information about the local intestinal immune status. Since all horses showed significant lower immunoglobulin concentrations after the anesthesia/operation they obviously lack immune protection and are therefore predisposed for developing enteritis, as Colitis X. In this study corticosterone seemed to influence the local immune system as high concentrations of corticosterone correlated with low immunoglobulin levels. To understand the circumstances more thoroughly and to find out which factors have to be present additionally in order for the horses to fall ill with Colitis X, further investigations have to be made.] |
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Paramastri, Y., Royo, F., Eberova, J., Carlsson, H. - E., Sajuthi, D., Fernstrom, A. - L., et al. (2007). Urinary and fecal immunoglobulin A, cortisol and 11-17 dioxoandrostanes, and serum cortisol in metabolic cage housed female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Journal of Medical Primatology, 36(6), 355–364.
Abstract: Background and methods Quantitative enzyme-immunoassays of urinary and fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA), cortisol and 11-17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA), and serum cortisol in eight metabolic-cage-housed female cynomolgus monkeys were performed. The monkeys were divided into two groups, B and NB. Group B animals were blood sampled every 6 hours, whereas Group NB animals were not handled/blood sampled. Results No differences were recorded between the amounts of feces and urine excreted by the two groups. Group B animals excreted more urinary cortisol than did Group NB animals indicating that restraint-blood sampling resulted in a stress response. Excreted amounts of IgA and 11,17-DOA (urine and feces) did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Urinary cortisol was a reliable marker of the stress associated with repeated blood sampling. Declining amounts of excreted urinary cortisol indicated that cynomolgus monkeys acclimated quickly to repeated blood sampling in metabolism cages. Within and between animal variation in amounts of feces voided demonstrated the importance of expressing fecal markers as ‘amounts excreted per time unit per kg body weight’ rather than just measuring the concentrations in fecal samples.
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Carlsson, H. - E., Lyberg, K., Royo, F., & Hau, J. (2007). Quantification of stress sensitive markers in single fecal samples do not accurately predict excretion of these in the pig. Research in Veterinary Science, 82(3), 423–428.
Abstract: All feces produced during 24 h were collected from five pigs and cortisol and immunoreactive cortisol metabolites (CICM), and IgA were quantified. Within pigs, the concentrations of CICM and IgA varied extensively between random samples obtained from a single fecal dropping, and deviated in most cases significantly from the true concentration measured in total fecal output (CV 6.7–130%). The CICM and IgA contents varied considerably (CV 8.1–114%) within and between individual fecal droppings from the same pig compared to the total fecal excretion. In conclusion, single random samples could not be used to reliably quantify the total fecal concentration or excretion of CICM or IgA in pigs. Analyses of all feces collected during shorter periods than 24 h did not provide an accurate estimate of the daily excretion of CICM. Thus, the concentration of stress sensitive molecules in random single fecal samples as an indicator of animal welfare should be interpreted with prudence.
Keywords: Cortisol; Immunoglobulin A; Stress; Pigs; Feces; Animal welfare
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Schino, G., di Sorrentino, E. P., & Tiddi, B. (2007). Grooming and coalitions in Japanese macaques (<em>Macaca fuscata</em>): Partner choice and the time frame reciprocation. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 121(2), 181–188.
Abstract: Evidence of a reciprocal exchange of grooming and agonistic support in primates is mixed. In this study, the authors analyzed a large database of grooming and coalitions in captive female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to investigate their within-group distribution and temporal relations. Macaques groomed preferentially those individuals that groomed them most and supported preferentially those individuals that supported them most. They also supported preferentially those individuals that groomed them most and groomed preferentially those individuals that supported them most. These results were not explained by covariation of grooming and support with third variables such as kinship, rank, or time spent in proximity. However, receiving grooming did not increase the short-term probability of supporting a partner, and being supported did not increase the short-term probability of grooming a partner. The proximate mechanisms underlying the exchange of services were discussed in relation to the time frame of the behavioral choices made by the monkeys. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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Quaranta, A., Siniscalchi, M., & Vallortigara, G. (2007). Asymmetric tail-wagging responses by dogs to different emotive stimuli. In Current biology : CB (Vol. 17, pp. R199–R201). Cell Press.
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Roth, L. S. V., Balkenius, A., & Kelber, A. (2007). Colour perception in a dichromat. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210(16), 2795–2800.
Abstract: Most mammals have dichromatic colour vision based on two different types of cones: a short-wavelength-sensitive cone and a long-wavelength-sensitive cone. Comparing the signal from two cone types gives rise to a one-dimensional chromatic space when brightness is excluded. The so-called `neutral point' refers to the wavelength that the animal cannot distinguish from achromatic light such as white or grey because it stimulates both cone types equally. The question is: how do dichromats perceive their chromatic space? Do they experience a continuous scale of colours or does the neutral point divide their chromatic space into two colour categories, i.e. into colours of either short or long wavelengths?We trained horses to different colour combinations in a two-choice behavioural experiment and tested their responses to the training and test colours. The horses chose colours according to their similarity/relationship to rewarded and unrewarded training colours. There was no evidence for a categorical boundary at the neutral point or elsewhere.This study suggests that dichromats perceive their chromatic space as a continuous scale of colours, treating the colour at the neutral point as any other colour they can distinguish.
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Pfister, J. A., Stegelmeier, B. L., Cheney, C. D., & Gardner, D. R. (2007). Effect of previous locoweed (Astragalus and Oxytropis species) intoxication on conditioned taste aversions in horses and sheep. J. Anim. Sci., 85(7), 1836–1841.
Abstract: Locoweed species (Astragalus and Oxytropis spp.) are a serious toxic plant problem for grazing livestock. Horses and sheep have been conditioned to avoid eating locoweed using the aversive agent LiCl. The objective of this study was to determine if previous locoweed intoxication affects food aversion learning in horses and sheep. Horses and sheep were divided into 3 treatment groups: control (not fed locoweed and not averted to a novel feed); locoweed-novel feed averted (fed locoweed and averted to a novel feed); and averted (not fed locoweed and averted to a novel feed). Animals in the locoweed-novel feed averted groups were fed locoweed during 2 periods of 21 and 14 d, respectively, with each feeding period followed by a 14-d recovery period. Animals were averted to a novel test feed at the end of the first locoweed-feeding period, and periodically evaluated for the strength and persistence of the aversion. During the first recovery period, locoweed-novel feed averted horses ate less (9.5% of amount offered) of the test feed than did control horses (99.8%) and did not generally differ from averted horses (0%). During recovery period 2, locoweed-novel feed averted horses (4.3%) differed (P = 0.001) in consumption (% of offered) of the test feed from controls (100%) and the averted group (0%). Locoweed-novel feed averted sheep differed (P = 0.001) from controls (14.4 vs. 99.5%, respectively, during recovery period 1), whereas locoweed-novel feed averted sheep did not differ (P > 0.50) from averted sheep (0.6%). During the second recovery period, control sheep (100%) differed (P < 0.05) from averted (0%) and locoweed-novel feed averted (12.2%) groups. Two intoxicated sheep (locoweed-novel feed averted) partially extinguished the aversion during the first recovery period, but an additional dose of LiCl restored the aversion. Two of 3 intoxicated horses had strong aversions that persisted without extinction; 1 horse in the locoweed-novel feed averted group had a weaker aversion. These findings suggest that horses and sheep previously intoxicated by locoweeds can form strong and persistent aversions to a novel feed, but in some animals, those aversions may not be as strong as in animals that were never intoxicated.
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