Dog appeasing pheromone prevents the androgen surge and may reduce contact dominance and active submission after stressful interventions in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)

Abstract

The endangered African wild dog (AWD; Lycaon pictus ) is a highly social canid living in packs with a separate male and female hierarchy. Immobilisation, handling and translocations are acute stressors for AWDs, however such interventions are often needed for species management. In addition, new pack formation or temporary pack separation can lead to an increase in intra-pack aggression. The goal of this double-blinded placebo-controlled study conducted in captive zoo populations was to evaluate whether dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) reduces behavioural stress and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels (fGCM) normally associated with pack separation, immobilisation and reintroduction (SIR), and to assess whether this reduces aggressive behaviours and faecal androgen metabolite levels (fAM). Four packs (n = 11 males) were treated with DAP and 4 packs (n = 12 males) were treated with a placebo solution, applied at the end of anaesthesia. Behavioural interactions as well as fGCM and fAM were determined from 3 days before until 4–6 days after SIR. No effect of DAP on fGCM was observed, however, fAM increased after SIR in placebo but not DAP treated animals. Moreover, on the day of reintroduction, DAP treated packs tended to have lower rates of contact-dominance and active-submission behaviour, but higher rates of non-contact dominance behaviour. As these effects could decrease the risk of agonistic interactions, DAP may be a useful tool to help manage new pack formations and temporary pack separation.

Appeasing Pheromones for the Management of Stress and Aggression during Conservation of Wild Canids: Could the Solution Be Right under Our Nose?

“…However, compared to placebo-treated animals, the ADAPTIL ® treatment was found to suppress the faecal androgen metabolite surge that normally occurs after reintroduction in response to acute stress. This was accompanied by a significant shift from contact dominance to non-contact dominance behaviours [192].…”

“…While the detection of volatile components of biological secretions has become more common [187][188][189]191], there is a lack of research on the behavioural and physiological changes triggered by these pheromone messages. Among the limited studies, most of the research has focused on the effect of domestic animal pheromones on behaviour and/or physiology in captive wildlife [63,192,193]. Preliminary data suggest that pheromones could be useful to control or alleviate undesirable behaviours in wild canids.…”

“…Limited reports have investigated the underlying physiological mechanisms affected by appeasing pheromones, but preliminary research suggests that, with the exception of one study [63], synthetic appeasing pheromones do not appear to affect the H-P-A axis to reduce stress, even if they are species-specific [192,208,209]. These studies used a pheromone spray application method that, as stated previously, may not be as effective if not continuously released for extended periods of time.…”

“…These studies used a pheromone spray application method that, as stated previously, may not be as effective if not continuously released for extended periods of time. However, recent cross-species research suggests that the appeasing pheromone may work via the H-P-G axis at the level of testosterone, thereby reducing aggression and coping behaviours during stress [192]. Nevertheless, based on preliminary data collected by Vlamings [63], it remains to be determined whether species-specific appeasing pheromones may be more effective in suppressing the H-P-A pathway.…”

“…A follow-up double-blinded placebo-controlled study found that, compared to the controls, well-established zoo-based African wild dog packs treated with ADAPTIL ® exhibited reduced contact dominance and active submission behaviours after separation, immobilisation, and reintroduction events as part of a routine health assessment in captivity [192]. Administration of a spot-on ADAPTIL ® solution (as two 5-milliliter aliquots between the shoulder blades and at the base of the tail) to male African wild dogs during this medical intervention did not significantly reduce the fGCM concentrations after reintroduction [192]. However, compared to placebo-treated animals, the ADAPTIL ® treatment was found to suppress the faecal androgen metabolite surge that normally occurs after reintroduction in response to acute stress.…”