The effects of conditioned behaviour and environmental factors on plasma corticosteroid levels in pigs

Baldwin, B.A.; Stephens, D.B.

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(73)90309-0

Cited by 116 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Other studies performed in Spanish conditions also found higher cortisol levels in winter (Gispert et al, 2000), which was attributed to the fact that Spanish livestock hauliers adapt to summer conditions, increasing night transportations, reducing loading densities or showering pigs. Our results agree with these authors, as well as with those of Baldwin and Stephens (1973), who found higher cortisol levels in cold climatic conditions related to the energy demand to maintain body temperature. Furthermore, winter increase in cortisol levels was accompanied by a higher muscular effort, agreeing with Gispert et al (2000) although, in our case, the strong individual variability in CPK and LDH made differences not significant.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Serum stress parameters in pigs transported to slaughter under commercial conditions in different seasons

Averós¹,

Herranz²,

Sánchez³

et al. 2007

Vet. Med.

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To determine the influence of slaughter transports carried out under commercial conditions, 162 pigs weighing 98 kg and of both sexes were studied. A total of seven transports were performed in summer and in winter conditions, with durations of 1 h and 13 h 15 min within each season. Cortisol, glucose, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin and total protein serum concentrations were measured. All variables increased during transport and decreased during lairage (P < 0.001), with cortisol values being 3.47 ± 0.19, 8.52 ± 0.28, and 6.96 ± 0.18 µg/dl at loading, unloading and exsanguinations, respectively, except for glucose (0.54 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.04, and 0.86 ± 0.03 g/l). Short journeys did not allow the total recovery from the loading stress. A certain level of dehydration was observed, especially during lairage on the longest journeys (increase of 6.87 ± 1.29 g/l for total proteins; P < 0.01). Winter transports were slightly more stressful (P < 0.01 for cortisol and LDH, and P < 0.001 for CPK), with poorer recovery during lairage (CPK decrease being –141 ± 559 and –2 906 ± 730 IU/l for winter and summer journeys, respectively; P < 0.01). Females showed higher stress reactivity. Genetics modulated the effect of the rest of influencing factors, with Nn individuals showing a rougher reaction in short and winter conditions, but with lower dehydration levels. Under Mediterranean commercial conditions, stress in transported slaughter pigs was largely determined by season and genetics, so that an adaptation of handling procedures to these seasonal variations appears crucial if transport stress is to be reduced. Also, an improvement in stress resistance could be obtained by controlling the halothane gene of pigs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Serum stress parameters in pigs transported to slaughter under commercial conditions in different seasons

Averós¹,

Herranz²,

Sánchez³

et al. 2007

Vet. Med.

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“…This was most marked on long or near equinoctial daylengths where mean levels rose sharply between 0900--1000 h in experiment 1 and between 0720-0820 h in experiment 2, but there was considerable variation between animals of all treatments in the peak values. The average levels and pattern of change in plasma corticosteroid levels on natural daylight are consistent with published information on the diurnal rhythm of corticosteroid levels in pigs with sampling at 1-, 2-, 4-or 8-h intervals (Whipp et al 1970;Bottoms et al 1972;Baldwin and Stephens 1973;Edqvist et al 1980).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Also, there is an inverse relationship between plasma corticosteroid and transcortin concentrations in man (Angeli et al 1978), and the level of this binding protein may influence the biological activity of plasma corticosteroids during the day. In the pig, there is a marked 24-h rhythm in plasma corticosteroid levels (Bottoms et al 1972;Baldwin and Stephens 1973;Edqvist et al 1980) but neither corticosteroidbinding capacity nor factors influencing the rhythm have been examined. The frequency of taking blood samples to obtain meaningful estimates of corticosteroid levels will be determined by variation in the frequency and amplitude of episodes of corticosteroid secretion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Photoperiod and Feeding on Plasma Corticosteroid Concentrations and Maximum Corticosteroid-binding Capacity in Pigs

Barnett¹,

Winfield²,

Cronin³

et al. 1981

Aust. Jnl. Of Bio. Sci.

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The effects of time of feeding and photoperiod on the circadian rhythm of total and free plasma corticosteroid concentrations and the maximum cortIcosteroid-binding capacity (MCBC) were measured in pigs. There were four photoperiod treatments: natural long and short daylengths (light:dark,14:10; 10!:13!. respectively), artificial short daylength and reverse artificial short daylength (light: dark, 9: 15).Photoperiod had a significant effect on corticosteroid concentrations. The corticosteroid concentrations on long daylength showed a major increase in the morning (from an average of 8 ng ml-1 at 0700 h to a peak level of 53·5 ng ml-1 at 0910 h). The amplitude of the morning peak was lower in the other treatments. Apart from this increase, corticosteroid levels at other times of day for pigs in aU treatments were generally low. The M CBC varied greatly between animals ( < 25 -> 50 ng ml-1) but showed no circadian rhythm. There was no change in corticosteroid levels directly attributable to feeding.It was concluded that, in experiments where the effect of acute stressors on corticosteroid levels is examined. blood sampling should be performed in the afternoon--evening period because the between-animal variation in hormone levels is less and the hormonal levels are more stable, and also that time of feeding did not affect the rhythm of corticosteroids. A blood-sampling regime to define the circadian rhythm in corticosteroid concentration and to determine the MCBC is described.

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“…On the other hand Baldwin & Stephens (1971) reported that in the conscious pig, significant rises of the corticosteroid concentrations in the peripheral plasma could only be elicited by quite severe stimuli, whereas smaller disturbances which are known to raise plasma corticoids in rats considerably, were without effect in the pig. It was felt that a more detailed investigation into the degree of disturbance required to elicit a significant response of the pituitaryadrenal system in this species was indicated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Responses of the Pituitary‐adrenal System of the Pig to Environmental Changes and Drugs

Blatchford

Holzbauer

Ingram

et al. 1978

British J Pharmacology

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1The reactivity of the pituitary-adrenal axis of the young pig was tested for its suitability as a sensitive index for any discomfort that might be experienced under certain conditions of intensive husbandry. 2 In a thermoneutral environment, most undisturbed piglets showed only slight variations in the plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids. 3 Stimuli such as exposure to ambient temperatures of +40°C or -5°C were required to cause large rises in the plasma concentrations of ACTH and corticosteroids. 4 Apparently milder stimuli, such as change of environment, slight frustration or changes in ambient temperatures between + 5C and + 300C only rarely caused a significant rise in plasma corticosteroids. Thus changes in plasma corticosteroid concentrations are not a sensitive index for the reaction of a piglet to its environment. 5 Increases in plasma ACTH concentrations occurred faster than those of the corticosteroids, were larger when expressed as a percentage of the basal values and occurred following relatively small disturbances such as omission of the reward in an operant behaviour test when corticosteroid changes were often not detectable. Thus rises in plasma ACTH might be a useful indication that a given situation is disturbing to a pig. The reaction of plasma ACTH concentrations to chronic irritations as they might occur in intensive husbandry remains to be investigated. 6 Azaperone (2 mg/kg i.m.), a drug which is used as a-sedative in pigs, caused a rise of about 50% in plasma corticosteroid concentrations. It did not diminish the large steroid output seen when the animals were exposed to high and low ambient temperatures.

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The effects of conditioned behaviour and environmental factors on plasma corticosteroid levels in pigs

Cited by 116 publications

References 21 publications

Serum stress parameters in pigs transported to slaughter under commercial conditions in different seasons

Serum stress parameters in pigs transported to slaughter under commercial conditions in different seasons

Effects of Photoperiod and Feeding on Plasma Corticosteroid Concentrations and Maximum Corticosteroid-binding Capacity in Pigs

Responses of the Pituitary‐adrenal System of the Pig to Environmental Changes and Drugs

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