Social interactions, cortisol and reproductive success of domestic goats (Capra hircus) subjected to different animal densities during pregnancy

Vas, Judit; Chojnacki, Rachel M.; Kjøren, Marte Flor; Lyngwa, Charlotte; Andersen, Inger Lise

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2013.04.009

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

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“…In addition, the characteristics of the ruminant placenta may aid in protecting the fetus from the influence of maternal hormones in cases of extreme stress [42]. These results coupled with the evolutionary history of goats suggest goats are able to habituate to some extent to living in deficient environmental conditions, such as environments with high animal densities and social stress, at least in terms of reproductive success [30]. The finding that prenatal social stress still had an effect on the fear responses and sociality suggests these may be indicators of the direct fitness of their mothers and long-term abilities of goat kids to survive and reproduce.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Prenatal Stocking Densities on the Fear Responses and Sociality of Goat (Capra hircus) Kids

2014

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Prenatal stress (stress experienced by a pregnant mother) and its effects on offspring have been comprehensively studied but relatively little research has been done on how prenatal social stress affects farm animals such as goats. Here, we use the operational description of ‘stress’ as “physical or perceived threats to homeostasis.” The aim of this study was to investigate the prenatal effects of different herd densities on the fear responses and sociality of goat kids. Pregnant Norwegian dairy goats were exposed to high, medium or low prenatal animal density treatments throughout gestation (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 m2 per animal, respectively). One kid per litter was subjected to two behavioral tests at 5 weeks of age. The ‘social test’ was applied to assess the fear responses, sociality and social recognition skills when presented with a familiar and unfamiliar kid and the ‘separation test’ assessed the behavioral coping skills when isolated. The results indicate goat kids from the highest prenatal density of 1.0 m2 were more fearful than the kids from the lower prenatal densities (i.e. made more escape attempts (separation test: P < 0.001) and vocalizations (social test: P < 0.001; separation test: P < 0.001). This effect was more pronounced in females than males in the high density (vocalizations; social test: P < 0.001; separation test: P = 0.001) and females were generally more social than males. However, goat kids did not differentiate between a familiar and an unfamiliar kid at 5 weeks of age and sociality was not affected by the prenatal density treatment. We conclude that high animal densities during pregnancy in goats produce offspring that have a higher level of fear, particularly in females. Behavioral changes in offspring that occur as an effect of prenatal stress are of high importance as many of the females are recruited to the breeding stock of dairy goats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Prenatal Stocking Densities on the Fear Responses and Sociality of Goat (Capra hircus) Kids

2014

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“…Loretz et al (2004) documented that female goats in late pregnancy reduced their resting time on deep litter flooring with reduced area available (2 m 2 ; 1.5 m 2 ; 1 m 2 per head). In a study on pregnant Norwegian dairy goats kept at 1, 2 or 3 m 2 per animal, Vas et al (2013) found that higher frequency of agonistic behaviours was present already at 2.0 m 2 per animal. However, keeping goats even at 1 m 2 per animal did not have any impact on productivity or daily gain, indicating that goats easily habituate to sub-optimal environmental conditions.…”

Section: Space Allowance Indoorsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Behavioural indicators of sheep and goat welfare in organic and conventional Norwegian farms

Hansen¹

2015

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A — Animal Science

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This literature review documents behavioural differences in organic and conventional sheep and goats in Norway. Increased indoor space results in increased lying time, more synchronized lying behaviour, less displacements and higher milk yield in sheep, and increased lying time and lower frequency of agonistic behaviour in goats. Sheep and goats spend 45-50% of their time outdoors when given access to an outdoor yard during winter. Under normal thermal conditions, fully fleeced sheep do not need solid floors of welfare reasons in Norway. Neither do dairy goats in insulated buildings. The significance of different milk feeding strategies in goat kids is poorly documented, but studies on lambs and calves show that suckling increases the growth rate, gives better social competence and more exploratory behaviour. Thus, the organic regulations in Norwegian sheep and goat production have some positive impact on behavioural indicators of sheep and goat welfare, especially during winter housing.

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“…Aside from reproductive disruption, chronic stress can cause low milk production and decreased well‐being, leading to increased illness and mortality (Silanikove, ). In goat production systems, crowding stress leads to competition for resources, such as food, water or a mate which, in turn, causes high cortisol levels as well as aggressive behaviour (Andersen et al, ; Vas, Chojnacki, Kjøren, Lyngwa, & Andersen, ) decreasing immune response or decreased reproduction (Gupta, Earley, Ting, & Crowe, ). In addition to aggressive behaviour, crowding can also decrease feeding and growth, leading to changes in social hierarchy, thus favouring stronger animals, which are the most fertile, as has been observed in cows (Dobson & Smith, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aside from reproductive disruption, chronic stress can cause low milk production and decreased well-being, leading to increased illness and mortality (Silanikove, 2000). In goat production systems, crowding stress leads to competition for resources, such as food, water or a mate which, in turn, causes high cortisol levels as well as aggressive behaviour (Andersen et al, 2008;Vas, Chojnacki, Kjøren, Lyngwa, & Andersen, 2013) decreasing immune response or decreased reproduction (Gupta, Earley, Ting, & Crowe, 2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of crowding and water restriction stress on creole goat reproduction in the Oaxacan Sierra Mixteca, Mexico

Pacheco

Romero

Rojas‐Maya

et al. 2018

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Chronic stress disrupts reproductive efficiency. Yet, the manner in which stress disturbs reproduction in goats is currently unknown. The Oaxacan Mixteca region is one of Mexico's poorest, with high levels of deforestation, high ambient temperatures, and lack of water. Native goats of the Oaxacan Mixteca Region live in these stressful conditions, as well as in overcrowded and water restricted conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these very stressful conditions on the reproduction of male and female goats. Control group was uncrowded, with daily water supply; stress group was overcrowded, with water restriction. The study was conducted from September 2015 to February 2016; the expression of reproductive behaviour and variations of cortisol levels were assessed. In females, oestradiol and progesterone were evaluated during the oestrous cycle. In males, testosterone levels were evaluated before and during reproductive activity. Sexual behaviour decreased in stressed goats: approaching, tail swishing, urination, vaginal discharge and flank contraction decreased in stressed females. Anogenital sniffing, licking, Flehmen reflex, bleating, mount attempts and mounts decreased in male goats. Cortisol levels in stressed animals were higher compared with control animals. Oestradiol and Progesterone levels in stressed females were significantly lower during the follicular and luteal phase, respectively, compared with control females. Testosterone levels in stressed males were lower than in control males, both before and during reproduction. These results indicate that even though goats from the Oaxacan Mixteca Region are habituated to their environmental conditions, they are still stressed by them, as shown by a higher activation of the adrenal axis in stressed goats than in control goats. High cortisol levels may induce low oestradiol levels in females and low testosterone levels in males, as well as a disruption in the expression of their reproductive behaviour.

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Social interactions, cortisol and reproductive success of domestic goats (Capra hircus) subjected to different animal densities during pregnancy

Cited by 20 publications

References 53 publications

The Effects of Prenatal Stocking Densities on the Fear Responses and Sociality of Goat (Capra hircus) Kids

The Effects of Prenatal Stocking Densities on the Fear Responses and Sociality of Goat (Capra hircus) Kids

Behavioural indicators of sheep and goat welfare in organic and conventional Norwegian farms

Effects of crowding and water restriction stress on creole goat reproduction in the Oaxacan Sierra Mixteca, Mexico

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