Validation of an Automated Method for Salivary Alpha-Amylase Measurements in Pigs (Sus Scrofa Domesticus) and its Application as a Stress Biomarker

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the current study was to validate an automated spectrophotometric method for salivary alpha-amylase measurement in pigs and evaluate its possible application as a noninvasive stress biomarker. The analytical validation included intra-and interassay precision, linearity under dilution, and limit of detection. In addition, to study the possible use of salivary alpha-amylase as a possible stress marker, 12 crossbred growing pigs of 3-4 months of age were subjected to restraint stress by a nasal snare for at least 1 min, and saliva samples were obtained at different time points. The results of analytical validation indicated that the method was precise and able to measure alpha-amylase in a linear manner. The results obtained in the stress test showed a significant increase in salivary alpha-amylase activity. Although other factors influencing this enzyme activity should be studied, these preliminary results indicate that salivary alpha-amylase could be a reliable biomarker of stress in pigs.

Response to lipopolysaccharide in salivary components and the submandibular gland of pigs

“…It breaks down starch into maltose, and is also important in host defenses by inhibiting the adherence and growth of certain bacteria (Gallina et al, 2011). It has been shown that salivary amylase responds to psychological stress (Nater et al, 2006;Kang, 2010;Fuentes et al, 2011). In the present study the increased amylase activity was observed in the treated group at 6 h after LPS injection compared to the control group though all the pigs were fasted for two hours before the LPS injection.…”

Validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed for measuring cortisol concentration in human saliva and serum for its applicability to analyze cortisol in pig saliva

“…There are several methods for analyzing cortisol in saliva [1,2,14,15], the majority of which being immunoassays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are widely used in laboratories today.…”

The stress response and exploratory behaviour in Yucatan minipigs (Sus scrofa): Relations to sex and social rank

“…These gregarious, inquisitive animals demonstrate sophisticated social behaviour [36,51], as well as consistent differences between individuals in behavioural responses to novelty [26,40]. Salivary cortisol has been assayed extensively in pigs [20,32,52] and, recently, pigs have been shown to produce measurable increases in the sympathetic markers, sAA [28] and CgA [21], in response to a stressor. The aim of the current study was to investigate the existence of consistent inter-individual variation in exploratory behaviour and reactivity of the two major stress systems, and describe their relationship.…”