How Stressful Is Maternity? Study about Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Coat and Claws Concentrations in Female Dogs from Mating to 60 Days Post-Partum

Abstract

In dogs, the phase from mating to the end of weaning lasts about 120 days and encompasses many aspects that, interacting, contribute to increase the allostatic load. The coat and claws, useful for long-term change assessments, have the advantage of being collectable without invasiveness. In the present study, the Cortisol (C) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentration monthly changes in the coat and claws were studied in female dogs from mating to the end of weaning to assess Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis activation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The results from 15 Dobermann Pinscher female dogs showed a trend of increase of the coat C from mating to 60 days post-partum, with significant changes between mating and parturition-60 days post-partum (p < 0.01) and between the 30-day pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and 30–60 days post-partum (p < 0.05). The claws C trend showed significant increases between mating and 30–60 days post-partum (p < 0.05) and between the PD and 60 days post-partum (p < 0.01). DHEA-S in both matrices showed non-significant changes. The results suggest that maternity could play a pivotal role in the HPA axis activation, with a subsequent chronic secretion of C determining an increase in the allostatic load in the mothers. Neither maternal parity nor litter size played a significant role in the accumulation of C and DHEA-S in both matrices.

The application of allostasis and allostatic load in animal species: A scoping review

“…A second consideration in interpreting the findings of many of these 63 publications is the use of AL to evaluate response to an acute stressor, often using a single-biomarker like glucocorticoids (e.g., [ 53 , 70 , 71 , 85 ]). This deviates from the original purpose for the development of ALIs in humans, which was to estimate wear-and-tear as the result of chronic, long-term stress.…”

Dam (Canis familiaris) Welfare throughout the Peri-Parturient Period in Commercial Breeding Kennels

“…Although a different species, our finding is supported by a recent study in cats, which observed higher concentrations of serum cortisol at 4 weeks postpartum than before mating, 1–2 days after parturition and 8 weeks postpartum [ 36 ]. In contrast, more recent studies in dogs found no change in coat and claw cortisol between 4 and 8 weeks postpartum [ 29 ], or plasma and salivary cortisol between parturition, 21, and 60 days postpartum [ 28 ]. The difference in findings may be due to the larger sample size and representation of multiple breeds in the current study.…”

“…We collected data from a minimum of six dams per kennel to ensure adequate representation of within kennel variation. The total number of kennels included in the study ensured a representation of different environments and management practices and allowed us to reach a sample size larger than other similar research in different populations [ 28 , 29 , 36 ]. To maximize data collection time and travel, each kennel was required to have a minimum of three bitches that met selection criteria and were expected to whelp in the same week.…”

“…They found no significant changes in plasma, hair, or salivary cortisol [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. However, a recent study identified a trend of increase in hair and claw cortisol from mating to 60 days postpartum [ 29 ]. Explanations for the differences between studies may include sample size, breed, and method of cortisol collection, with hair and claw cortisol representing average concentrations over a long period, and plasma and saliva representing short-term concentrations that may be sensitive to handling stress [ 23 , 30 ].…”

Are micronuclei a biomarker of stress-associated genotoxicity?

“…In a much lesser extent, micronuclei from oral cells are starting to be used as a biomarker of genomic damage induced by psychological stress [3]. The peripartum period of a pregnant female dog is a stress-inducing situation [4] and whether this could induce or not a genotoxic effect is still unknown. Objectives: This research aims to evaluate the frequency of micronuclei in oral exfoliated cells in female dogs in the peri and post gestation period.…”