Influence of toys on behavioural patterns of pigs and their association with the concentration of serotonin in blood plasma

Lykhach, A. V.; Лихач, Вадим Ярославович; Shpetny, Mykola; Михалко, Олександр Григорович; Zhyzhka, S. V.

doi:10.15421/022022

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In the particular case of pigs, abnormal patterns of behavior (stereotypies, belly nosing, ear, and tail biting) may arise at several stages of their development if they are devoid of any enrichment ( 10 ). Enrichments have the potential to reduce these abnormal behaviors and increase positive behaviors like play ( 11 , 12 ). Although straw bedding is one optimal enrichment according to literature [reviewed in ( 8 )], it is laborious and costly to implement for farms using fully slatted floors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manipulable Object and Human Contact: Preference and Modulation of Emotional States in Weaned Pigs

et al. 2020

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Enriching the life of farm animals is a legal obligation in intensive farming conditions in the European Union, though not worldwide. In pigs, manipulable materials are mandatory when no bedding is available. Like manipulable objects, positive human interactions might also be considered as enrichment, as they provide the animals with opportunities to interact, increase their activity and lead to positive emotional states. In this study, we investigated how weaned pigs perceived an inanimate manipulable object and a familiar human. After a similar (in length, frequency, and procedure) familiarization to both stimuli, 24 weaned pigs were tested for a potential preference for one of the stimuli and submitted to isolation/reunion tests to evaluate the emotional value of the stimuli. We hypothesized that being reunited with a stimulus would attenuate the stress of social isolation and promote a positive state, especially if the stimulus had a positive emotional value for pigs. Although our behavioral data showed no evidence that pigs spent more time close to, or in contact with, one of the stimuli during a choice test, pigs more often approached the human and were observed lying down only near the human. Using behavioral and bioacoustic data from isolation/reunion tests, we showed that a reunion with the human decreased the time spent in an attentive state and mobility of pigs to a greater extent than a reunion with the object, or isolation. Vocalizations differed between reunions with the object and the human, and were different from those during isolation. The human and object presence led to higher frequency range and more noisy grunts, but only the human led to the production of positive shorter grunts, usually associated with positive situations. In conclusion, pigs seemed to be in a more positive emotional state, or be reassured, in the presence of a familiar human compared to the object after a short period of social isolation. This confirms the potential need for positive pseudo-social interactions with a human to enrich the pigs' environment, at least in or after potentially stressful situations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manipulable Object and Human Contact: Preference and Modulation of Emotional States in Weaned Pigs

et al. 2020

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“…Published data on the role of 5-HT in swine is largely based on 5-HT cognitive function, pertaining to welfare and behavior, and linked to the essential amino acid tryptophan [ 18 – 20 ]. However, little is known of its role in the swine GI tract during periods of stress and inflammation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serotonin receptors and their association with the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning piglets

Fabà

Groot²,

Ramis

et al. 2022

Porc Health Manag

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Background Immune cell activation and perpetuation of inflammation have been attributed to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). Our hypothesis was that the 5-HT system plays a role in GI health and immunity in post-weaning piglets. A disruption of the 5-HT system post-weaning with transcriptional upregulation of 5-HT receptors may be linked to increased cytokine mRNA abundance and immune system activation. Methods The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between 5-HT receptor expression and immune system biomarkers in piglets at 1 (n = 9) and 15 (n = 10) days post-weaning. The mRNA transcript abundance of three 5-HT receptors (5-HTR3, 5-HTR4, and 5-HTR7) measured in jejunum and colon tissues were used to determine the relationship with the immune system and jejunal morphometry at 2 timepoints post-weaning using correlations, mixed models, and multivariate analysis techniques. Results Overall, 5-HT receptor mRNA expression decreased from day 1 to day 15 post-weaning. Time × tissue interactions showed the lowest 5-HTR3 expression in the colon and lower 5-HTR7 expression in the jejunum at 15 days post-weaning. 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 expression were negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines in jejunum, and with TNF-α in the colon at 1-day post-weaning. At 15 days post-weaning, 5-HTR3 in the colon was negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines. Furthermore, 5-HTR7 expressed a predominantly pro-inflammatory profile (IFN-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-12α) in the jejunum at the same timepoint, whereas colonic 5-HTR7 expression was negatively correlated with IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10 and TGF-β. Lastly, positive correlations were found for increased expression of 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height, 5-HTR7 receptor expression and crypt depth, and increased expression of 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height to crypt depth ratio at 1-day post-weaning. Conclusions The 5-HT receptor mRNA abundance was associated with the immune system and intestinal morphometry in piglets. The 5-HT receptors were highly expressed at weaning in both jejunum and colon tissues relative to 15 days post-weaning. Although a clear relationship between immune system and 5-HTR expression is observed, particularly at day 15, a cause-consequence cannot be proven with current data. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of 5-HT on gastrointestinal inflammation during the weaning process in piglets, which could be the basis for new interventions to ease weaning stress.

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“…Pigs in a restricted environment do not worry about feed, water and nesting, but still show their natural behaviour searching feed by studying the environment. Searching behaviour of domestic pigs is well studied, and the objects of study are usually the floors, chains, straw and a number of other toys for pigs (Wemelsfelder et al, 2000;Bolhuis et al, 2006;Kittawornrat et al, 2011, Lykhach et al, 2020.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of enrichment materials on the behaviour and productive traits of fattening pigs

Lykhach

2022

Acta fytotechn zootechn

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Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License In industrial complexes, the environment for fattening pigs has limited space and often does not respect natural behaviour of pigs. The implementation of EU legislation in Ukraine requires from farmers to use enrichment materials that improve the welfare of pigs. This article shows possible solution for big industrial challenge -creating of comfortable conditions for pigs, which meet their ethological needs. The experiment was performed on 180 pigs. From 77 days of age, all experimental animals were divided into three groups (on the principle of analogues) of 60 heads in each. As criteria of aggressive social behaviour the fights and biting were chosen. It was found that at the first period of fattening in pigs of the control group (no enrichment materials) 24 cases of biting were registered, in animals with straw blocks (experimental group II) -6, with plastic bottles filled with grain (experimental group III) -4 cases. At the second period of fattening, the situation regarding intragroup aggression was identical to the first one, which was reflected by the level of the cortisol in the blood serum. Among pigs that had free access to enrichment materials, a significant increase in their live weight by 2.4-5.8%, and in average daily gain by 1.4-27.6% compared with animals in the control group was registered. This study aims to prove that the use of enrichment materials for fattening pigs helps to identify their natural behaviour in industrial complexes, avoids social aggression, increases productivity and improves their welfare.

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Influence of toys on behavioural patterns of pigs and their association with the concentration of serotonin in blood plasma

Cited by 5 publications

References 26 publications

Manipulable Object and Human Contact: Preference and Modulation of Emotional States in Weaned Pigs

Manipulable Object and Human Contact: Preference and Modulation of Emotional States in Weaned Pigs

Serotonin receptors and their association with the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning piglets

Influence of enrichment materials on the behaviour and productive traits of fattening pigs

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