Relations between peripheral and brain serotonin measures and behavioural responses in a novelty test in pigs

Ursinus, W; Bolhuis, J.E.; Zonderland, J.J.; Rodenburg, T.B.; Souza, A. S.; Koopmanschap, R.E.; Kemp, B.; Korte-Bouws, G.A.H.; Korte, S. Mechiel; Reenen, C.G. van

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.05.018

Cited by 34 publications

(37 citation statements)

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“…Total duration of the test was 10 min. In a previous study large behavioural differences were found between NEe and NOe when pigs were 11 weeks of age, pointing in the direction of NOe being more fearful for pigs post-weaning compared to NEe [22]. Since we were especially interested in behavioural responses to potentially stressful situations, only the behaviours recorded during the NOe were used for further analysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Platelet serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) level was determined using a fluorimetric assay based on [36], [37] as previously described [22]. Platelet 5-HT level was expressed in nmol/10 9 platelets.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Serotonin uptake velocity in blood platelets was measured by a radioactive uptake assay based on [40], [41] as previously described [22]. Platelet 5-HT uptake velocity was expressed as pmol/10 9 platelets/min.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These coping styles may also relate to the functioning of the brain neurotransmitter systems [17], [18] and it was previously suggested that these proactive animals may be more vulnerable to develop compulsive disorders, which show similarities with feather pecking in laying hens and tail biting in pigs [11]. Another personality trait that may contribute to the tendency of animals to develop aberrant behaviours is fearfulness or anxiety [19], [20] which may be reflected in the response to novel situations [21], [22]. Additionally, in pigs the behaviour in novelty tests has been associated with coping styles [23], tail biting [20], and serotonergic blood and brain parameters [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another personality trait that may contribute to the tendency of animals to develop aberrant behaviours is fearfulness or anxiety [19], [20] which may be reflected in the response to novel situations [21], [22]. Additionally, in pigs the behaviour in novelty tests has been associated with coping styles [23], tail biting [20], and serotonergic blood and brain parameters [22]. Therefore, the main aim of our study was to explore whether tail biting in pigs, in a longitudinal study, is associated with behavioural and physiological responses to challenges, and also with blood serotonin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tail Biting in Pigs: Blood Serotonin and Fearfulness as Pieces of the Puzzle?

et al. 2014

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Tail biting in pigs is a widespread problem in intensive pig farming. The tendency to develop this damaging behaviour has been suggested to relate to serotonergic functioning and personality characteristics of pigs. We investigated whether tail biting in pigs can be associated with blood serotonin and with their behavioural and physiological responses to novelty. Pigs (n = 480) were born in conventional farrowing pens and after weaning at four weeks of age they were either housed barren (B) or in straw-enriched (E) pens. Individual pigs were exposed to a back test and novel environment test before weaning, and after weaning to a novel object (i.e. bucket) test in an unfamiliar arena. A Principal Component Analysis on behaviours during the tests and salivary cortisol (novel object test only) revealed five factors for both housing systems, labeled ‘Early life exploration’, ‘Near bucket’, ‘Cortisol’, ‘Vocalizations & standing alert’, and ‘Back test activity’. Blood samples were taken at 8, 9 and 22 weeks of age to determine blood platelet serotonin. In different phases of life, pigs were classified as tail biter/non-tail biter based on tail biting behaviour, and as victim/non-victim based on tail wounds. A combination of both classifications resulted in four pig types: biters, victims, biter/victims, and neutrals. Generally, only in phases of life during which pigs were classified as tail biters, they seemed to have lower blood platelet serotonin storage and higher blood platelet uptake velocities. Victims also seemed to have lower blood serotonin storage. Additionally, in B housing, tail biters seemed to consistently have lower scores of the factor ‘Near bucket’, possibly indicating a higher fearfulness in tail biters. Further research is needed to elucidate the nature of the relationship between peripheral 5-HT, fearfulness and tail biting, and to develop successful strategies and interventions to prevent and reduce tail biting.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tail Biting in Pigs: Blood Serotonin and Fearfulness as Pieces of the Puzzle?

et al. 2014

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Indirect Genetic Effects for Growth in Pigs Affect Behaviour and Weight Around Weaning

et al. 2018

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Selection for indirect genetic effects (IGE), i.e. the genetic effect of an individual on a trait of another individual, is a promising avenue to increase trait values in plant and animal breeding. Studies in livestock suggest that selection for IGE for growth (IGEg) might increase animals’ capacity to tolerate stress. We assessed the effect of a stressful phase (weaning) on the behaviour and performance of pigs (n = 480) divergently selected for high or low IGEg. High IGEg pigs were significantly slower to explore the feed and gained less weight than low IGEg pigs in the days after weaning. In line with previous findings, high IGEg animals may have prioritized the formation of social ranks.

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