Biology of Stress

Gangloff, Eric J.; Greenberg, Neil

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-86012-7_4

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 259 publications

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“…Stress refers to the state of physical and psychological tension that an individual feels when faced with a difficult situation to adapt to, and it affects various organs due to physiological changes [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. We hypothesized that stress levels would decrease when environmental enrichment and appropriate companions were provided.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Stress Caused by Environmental Changes for Improving the Welfare of Laboratory Beagle Dogs

Lee

Kang

et al. 2023

Animals

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Animal stress is influenced by environmental factors, yet only a few studies have evaluated the effects of environmental stress on captive dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental and social enrichment on the stress levels of captive dogs housed in a lab. We assessed stress levels in eight Beagle dogs by measuring their body weight, cortisol levels, a stress hormone, the alkaline phosphatase activity in serum, the number of steps per hour, as well as clinical sign observations in a changed environment for 6 weeks. Four dogs assigned to a control group were raised alone in a relatively narrow place without toys; four dogs assigned to an experimental group were raised together in a relatively large place with toys. The body weight of the control group remained unchanged, while that of the experimental group decreased. Cortisol levels in the control group increased throughout, whereas those in the experimental group increased for up to 2 weeks and decreased thereafter. Consequently, cortisol levels in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group at 6 weeks (p = 0.048). Fighting was observed among the dogs in the experimental group at 3 weeks; thus, one dog was separated from the group. The number of steps per hour was more than twice as high in the experimental than in the control group. Thereby, we determined that social housing, with appropriate companions and environmental enrichment materials, can reduce stress levels in captive dogs more efficiently than in single housing without such materials. Our study provides useful insights for captive animal organizations, such as kenneled dogs’ management, to improve animal welfare.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Stress Caused by Environmental Changes for Improving the Welfare of Laboratory Beagle Dogs

Lee

Kang

et al. 2023

Animals

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We found support for annual variation in leukocyte cycle in tuatara living on North Brother Island and Takapourewa. Glucocorticoids are known to suppress the immune system in many taxa (Berger et al, 2005; French et al, 2008), though the impact of steroids on immune parameters varies across species, time scales, and metrics and is not always suppressive (Gangloff & Greenberg, 2023). Corticosterone varies seasonally in tuatara on Takapourewa (Tyrrell & Cree, 1998); thus, it is likely that the variation in leukocyte profile observed in tuatara is at least in part influenced by annual hormonal fluctuations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of annual cycle, source population, and body condition on leukocyte profile and immune challenge in a basal reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

Lamar,

Frank,

La Flamme

et al. 2023

J Exp Zool Pt A

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Leukocyte profiles are broadly used to assess the health status of many species. Reference intervals, and an understanding of the factors that may influence these intervals, are necessary for adequate interpretation of leukograms. Using a data set that spans over three decades, we investigated variation in leukocyte profile in several populations of the evolutionarily unique reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). To do this, we first established reference intervals for each leukocyte type according to best practices. Next, we determined that source population and sampling date were the two most important predictors of leukocyte makeup. We found significant differences in the ratio of heterophils: lymphocytes (H:L) between populations, with tuatara on the more resource‐stressed sampling island having a significantly higher ratio of H:L. Finally, we found that sampling location, sex, and life stage did not explain variation in the responses of tuatara to stimulation with Concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide in both 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐di‐phenyltetrazolium bromide and Griess assay experiments. Our results offer important insight into the function of leukocytes in reptiles.

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“…For example, physiological welfare indicators (e.g. corticosterone levels) have barely been studied in reptiles and need to be validated in a wider range of species (Benn et al 2019 ; Gangloff & Greenberg 2023 ). In our study, we only asked about the use of animal-based measurements, so we cannot know whether there is a preference for animal-based measurements in European zoos, or if the use of resource-based measurements is still dominant for reptile species, as has traditionally been the case (Benn et al 2019 ; Jones et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives

2023

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Zoos and aquaria are paying increasing attention to environmental enrichment, which has proven an effective tool for the improvement of animal welfare. However, several ongoing issues have hampered progress in environmental enrichment research. Foremost among these is the taxonomic bias, which hinders our understanding of the value of enrichment for neglected groups, such as reptiles. In this study, we evaluated the status of environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos using a survey approach. A total of 121 zoos (32% response rate) completed our main survey, focusing on the use of different enrichment types for reptiles. We found significant differences in the use and/or type of enrichment between reptile groups. Tortoises (family Testudinidae) and monitor lizards (genus Varanus) were the most enriched taxa while venomous snakes were the least. The enrichment types most used across taxa were structural/habitat design and dietary. A second, more detailed, questionnaire followed, where participants were questioned about specific enrichment techniques. A total of 42 enrichment methods were reported, with two being represented across all taxa: increasing structural/thermal complexity and enrichment objects. Finally, we present information from participating zoos on enrichment goals, assessment methods, sources of information for enrichment ideas, and whether enrichment for reptiles is considered essential and/or implemented routinely. Results suggest that, although usage is widespread across European zoos, our understanding of enrichment for reptiles needs to be re-evaluated, since many of the techniques reported tread a fine line between basic husbandry and actual enrichment.

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Biology of Stress

Cited by 22 publications

References 259 publications

Assessment of Stress Caused by Environmental Changes for Improving the Welfare of Laboratory Beagle Dogs

Assessment of Stress Caused by Environmental Changes for Improving the Welfare of Laboratory Beagle Dogs

The effects of annual cycle, source population, and body condition on leukocyte profile and immune challenge in a basal reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives

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