Buccal micronucleus assay as a useful tool to evaluate the stress-associated genomic damage in shelter dogs and cats: new perspectives in animal welfare

Santovito, Alfredo; Buglisi, Martina; Sciandra, Chiara; Scarfò, Manuel

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2021.09.007

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…Cat stress score created by Kessler and Turner [12] is commonly used to monitor stress over time, whether as a reaction to a new environment or to compare stress levels among the treatment and control groups. Cat stress score has been used to monitor stress in cats in a variety of studies over the last few years, including changes in shelter and sociability [33], relationships between owner and cat behavior [34], evaluation of environmental enrichment to reduce stress in cats admitted to veterinary clinics [35], and technology for new perspectives in cat welfare [36]. The mean CSSs of the DSS1 and DSS2 groups between 2.27 and 3.21 corroborate with the findings of Kessler and Turner [12] and Paz et al [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

et al. 2022

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Background and Aim: In Thailand, domestic cats are the most common companion animal, and many are admitted to veterinary clinics for neutering surgery; however, such environment can induce stress. This is the first study to evaluate stress in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery using cat stress score (CSS) and salivary cortisol levels, including the impact of providing a hiding box (B) and/or administering a pheromone product to reduce stress. Materials and Methods: The study design was based on a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 80 domestic cats undergoing routine neutering surgery were assessed for their behavioral demeanor scoring system (DSS) as friendly (DSS1) and aggressive (DSS2) based on a DSS. During admission, the cats were randomly allocated to single standard cages with one of the following treatments: (B), feline facial pheromone (P), a combination of hiding box and the pheromone (BP), or no additional enrichment (C). Cat stress score, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were recorded. The cortisol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to assess the salivary cortisol level. Results: On the 1st day of admission, aggressive cats had a significantly higher CSS (4.16 ± 0.29) than friendly cats (3.27 ± 0.16). Both demeanor cat groups showed statistically significant reductions in stress levels earlier than the control group after providing the enrichments. Saliva cortisol measurements ranged from 0.24 to 0.66 ng/mL. No statistical differences in cortisol levels were observed between the 1st day and other days of admission. In contrast, no differences in food intake and hide-seeking behavior were seen within each group during the same period. Conclusion: Results suggested that stress and stress responses in cats depended on behavioral demeanor. The provision of enrichment, including hiding box and feline facial pheromone in singly housed caging reduced stress, especially in aggressive cats. However, salivary cortisol analysis, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were ineffective for assessing stress in cats after neutering surgery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

et al. 2022

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Good Health: Recognition and Prevention of Disease and Pain in Dromedary Camels

Benaissa,

Iglesias Pastrana

2024

Animal Welfare

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Purebred dogs show higher levels of genomic damage compared to mixed breed dogs

Santovito,

Saracco,

Scarfo’

et al. 2023

Mamm Genome

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Inbreeding is a common phenomenon in small, fragmented or isolated populations, typical conditions of many threatened species. In the present paper, we used a new non-invasive approach based on the buccal micronucleus assay to evaluate the possible relationships between inbreeding and genomic damage using the dog as model species. In particular, we assessed the frequencies of micronuclei and other nuclear aberrations in a group of purebred dogs (n = 77), comparing the obtained data with those from a control group represented by mixed breed dogs (n = 75). We found a significant increase of micronuclei, nuclear buds and total nuclear aberrations frequencies in purebred dogs compared to mixed-bred dogs. The absence of significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei and other nuclear aberrations amongst different breeds reinforces the hypothesis that the observed increased genomic damage amongst purebred dogs may not be due to a different genomic instability typical of a particular breed, but to inbreeding itself. This hypothesis is further confirmed by the fact that other endogen confounding factors, such as sex, age and weight, do not contribute significantly to the increase of genomic damage observed amongst purebred dogs. In conclusion, results presented in this study showed that, in purebred dogs, inbreeding may increase the levels of genomic damage. Considering that genomic damage is associated with increased physiological problems affecting animal health, the results we obtained may represent a stimulus to discourage the use of intensive inbreeding practices in captive populations and to reduce the fragmentation of wild populations.

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Buccal micronucleus assay as a useful tool to evaluate the stress-associated genomic damage in shelter dogs and cats: new perspectives in animal welfare

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

Good Health: Recognition and Prevention of Disease and Pain in Dromedary Camels

Purebred dogs show higher levels of genomic damage compared to mixed breed dogs

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