Heart rate and behavior are regulated independently of corticosterone following diverse acute stressors
Captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were subjected to five acute stressors: a visual stressor (strobe light), an auditory stressor (music), and disturbance by three different humans; their accustomed caretaker, an antagonist (the experimenter), and a novel human. Heart rate (HR), behavioral, and corticosterone (CORT) responses to each stressor were simultaneously recorded. The visual stressor elicited […]
Relationships between scores of the feline temperament profile and behavioural and adrenocortical responses to a mild stressor in cats
There is a growing need for an easy assessment of stress levels in cats in order to more effectively diagnose, distinguish and treat stress-related disorders or behavioural problems. Therefore, we investigated which behavioural changes might be associated with an adrenocortical response to an acute stress or (spray bath) and in which magnitude this response depends […]
Endocrine response of gilts to various common stressors: A comparison of indicators and methods of analysis
The first aim of the present study was to determine whether various common events encountered by pigs in commercial farms or experimental units induce activation of the sympathetic and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes. The second aim was to compare the efficiency of various indicators and methods of analysis to detect the occurrence of a stress reaction. […]
Influence of acute stress on spatial tasks in humans
Few studies have investigated the relationship between stress and spatial performance in humans. In this study, participants were exposed to an acute laboratory stressor (Star Mirror Tracing Task) or a control condition (watching a nature video) and then performed two spatial tasks. In the first task, participants navigated through a virtual reality (VR) environment and […]
Age-dependent change in exploratory behavior of male rats following exposure to threat stimulus: Effect of juvenile experience
The ontogeny of exploratory behavior depending on the intensity of threat in a modified open-field was investigated in male rats aged 40, 65, and 130 days, by comparing with less threatening condition with no shock and more threatening condition where they were exposed to mild electric shock. The number of crossings in a dim peripheral […]
Aggression in pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) breeding groups affects pregnancy outcome
The ontogeny of exploratory behavior depending on the intensity of threat in a modified open-field was investigated in male rats aged 40, 65, and 130 days, by comparing with less threatening condition with no shock and more threatening condition where they were exposed to mild electric shock. The number of crossings in a dim peripheral […]
The influence of a magnesium rich marine supplement on behaviour, salivary cortisol levels, and skin lesions in growing pigs exposed to acute stressors
Pigs in intensive production systems typically experience multiple acute stressors which can have a negative impact on their welfare. This study investigated whether a magnesium (Mg) rich marine extract (SUPPLEMENT) could reduce the negative effects of mixing and an out-of-feed event on pig welfare. At weaning (28 d) 448 piglets were assigned to either control […]
Physiological, physical and behavioural changes in dogs (Canis familiaris) when kennelled: Testing the validity of stress parameters
Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) housed in kennelling establishments are considered at risk of suffering poor welfare. Previous research supporting this hypothesis has typically used cortisol:creatinine ratios (C/Cr) to measure acute and chronic stress in kennelled dogs. However, the value of C/Cr as a welfare indicator has been questioned. This study aimed to test the validity […]