Stereotypic behaviors are associated with physiology and immunity differences in long-term confined sows

Pan, Lei; Nian, Haoyang; Zhang, Runxiang; Liu, Honggui; Li, Chun; Wei, Haidong; Yi, Ran; Li, Jianhong; Li, Xiang; Bao, Jun

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113776

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…These factors ultimately result in post-weaning diarrhea and growth restrictions in piglets. Tethered housing of sows alters their behavior, physiology, and immune response [2]. In modern pig farms, continuous genetic selection for high-yielding and lean offspring leads to increased catabolism in sow organisms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Composite Probiotics on Antioxidant Capacity, Gut Barrier Functions, and Fecal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets and Sows

Tang,

Zhao,

Yang

et al. 2024

Animals

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This study investigated the efficacy of a composite probiotics composed of lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus reuteri, and bifidobacterium longum in alleviating oxidative stress in weaned piglets and pregnant sows. Evaluations of growth, oxidative stress, inflammation, intestinal barrier, and fecal microbiota were conducted. Results showed that the composite probiotic significantly promoted average daily gain in piglets (p < 0.05). It effectively attenuated inflammatory responses (p < 0.05) and oxidative stress (p < 0.05) while enhancing intestinal barrier function in piglets (p < 0.01). Fecal microbiota analysis revealed an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as faecalibacterium, parabacteroides, clostridium, blautia, and phascolarctobacterium in piglet feces and lactobacillus, parabacteroides, fibrobacter, and phascolarctobacterium in sow feces, with a decrease in harmful bacteria such as bacteroides and desulfovibrio in sow feces upon probiotic supplementation. Correlation analysis indicated significant negative associations of blautia with inflammation and oxidative stress in piglet feces, while treponema and coprococcus showed significant positive associations. In sow feces, lactobacillus, prevotella, treponema, and CF231 exhibited significant negative associations, while turicibacter showed a significant positive association. Therefore, the composite probiotic alleviated oxidative stress in weaned piglets and pregnant sows by modulating fecal microbiota composition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Composite Probiotics on Antioxidant Capacity, Gut Barrier Functions, and Fecal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets and Sows

Tang,

Zhao,

Yang

et al. 2024

Animals

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“…In mammals, the concentration of cortisol is often used as an indicator of stress in the body ( 19 ). However, studies on stereotypical behaviours in different animals in recent decades have yielded conflicting results: (1) Animals displaying stereotypic behaviours have higher plasma cortisol concentrations than normal animals ( 4 , 20 ); (2) The expression of stereotypic behaviours does not correlate with salivary cortisol concentrations ( 2 , 21 ); and (3) Animals expressing stereotypic behaviours have reduced plasma or salivary cortisol concentrations ( 22 , 23 ). There may be several reasons leading to varying results in research studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stereotypic behaviours are continuous, repetitive and seemingly non-functional behaviours that occur in farm animals, companion animals, and zoo animals (1)(2)(3)(4). It is generally accepted that stereotypic behaviours usually occur in barren environments (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(1) Animals displaying stereotypic behaviours have higher plasma cortisol concentrations than normal animals (4,20); (2) The expression of stereotypic behaviours does not correlate with salivary cortisol concentrations (2, 21); and (3) Animals expressing stereotypic behaviours have reduced plasma or salivary cortisol concentrations (22,23). There may be several reasons leading to varying results in research studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do cows with stereotypic tongue-rolling behaviour cope better with their environment?

Li,

Chen,

Fang

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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IntroductionStereotypic behaviours, especially oral stereotypic behaviours, are frequently expressed in farm animals. Tongue-rolling is the most common oral stereotypic behaviour in dairy cows (Bos taurus). If animals frequently display stereotypic behaviours, this is an indication of poor welfare. It has been suggested that animals express stereotypic behaviours as a way of coping with stress. As a result, animals with stereotypic behaviours may have lower levels of stress hormones than animals without stereotypic behaviours.MethodsIn this study, 916 Holstein cows in the first lactation were subjected to scan sampling behavioural observations 200 times for 10 days. All cows were assigned to either a stereotypic behaviours group (SB) or a control group (CON). The SB group was further subdivided into a tongue-rolling group (TR) and an other-stereotypic behaviours group (OS). The TR group was also split into an only tongue-rolling group (OTR) and a mixed tongue-rolling and other stereotypic behaviours group (TROS). Some cows in the TR group belonged to an extreme tongue-rolling group (ETR). Hair and saliva samples were collected from 601 cows to test cortisol concentrations and dairy herd improvement (DHI) data were collected from a total of 762 cows.ResultsThere were no differences in hair or saliva cortisol concentrations between the groups (p>0.05), and the frequencies of tongue-rolling were not associated with cortisol concentrations (p>0.05). For DHI in cows, the milk protein percentage (p = 0.028), milk true protein percentage (p = 0.021) and milk crude protein percentage (p = 0.023) of cows in the ETR group were significantly lower than those in the CON group. For cows in ETR group, as the frequencies of tongue-rolling increased, the milk protein percentage (p = 0.034, r = 0.365), milk true protein percentage (p = 0.022, r = 0.393) and milk crude protein percentage (p = 0.035, r = 0.363) increased.DiscussionWe investigated the relationship between stereotypic behaviours and stress by using a non-invasive sampling method to minimise harm to the cows. We suggest that tongue-rolling may not be a way for cows to cope with stress, at least in terms of cortisol concentrations.

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Oral stereotypic behaviors in farm animals and their causes

Li,

2024

Animal Research and One Health

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High stocking density and suboptimal conditions limit animal behaviors in modern livestock farming. This is particularly evident in captive animals, in which the motivation for foraging behavior is often thwarted. Oral stereotypic behaviors are common in farm animals. Ruminants (e.g., cattle and sheep) show oral stereotypic behaviors such as tongue‐rolling, self‐sucking, and inter‐sucking. Captive pigs exhibit oral stereotypic behaviors such as bar‐biting, sham‐chewing, and ear‐biting. Chickens peck at drinkers, feeders, and pens. Stereotypic behavior in livestock can be reduced by selecting a specific diet composition that prolongs their eating time and increases their satiety. Furthermore, reducing stocking density and enriching the farming environment encourage livestock to explore and reduce stereotypic behavior. It is important to note that stereotypic behavior is also influenced by organismal physiology. Stereotypic behavior was considered an indicator of poor animal welfare. However, recent research has revealed that animals engage in stereotypic behavior as a response to external stimuli, aiming to alleviate the negative impact of these stimuli on their well‐being. Animals that frequently show stereotypic behavior may have higher levels of stress. Certain stress indicators also affect the expression of stereotypic behavior, such as 5‐hydroxytryptamine and dopamine. Consequently, further investigation is necessary to understand how stereotypic behaviors affect the physiological state and metabolic processes of animals. This paper discusses the research progress on the oral stereotypic behaviors of farm animals. The objective is to establish a foundation for enhancing livestock feeding conditions and optimizing feeding practices, ultimately reducing stereotypic behaviors.

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Stereotypic behaviors are associated with physiology and immunity differences in long-term confined sows

Cited by 5 publications

References 34 publications

Effect of Composite Probiotics on Antioxidant Capacity, Gut Barrier Functions, and Fecal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets and Sows

Effect of Composite Probiotics on Antioxidant Capacity, Gut Barrier Functions, and Fecal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets and Sows

Do cows with stereotypic tongue-rolling behaviour cope better with their environment?

Oral stereotypic behaviors in farm animals and their causes

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