Effect of Social Dominance and Reproductive State on Adrenal Steroids in Female Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata)
The relationship between stress and behavior can help us to understand how physiological adaptations shape primate societies. Most studies have focused on glucocorticoids (GC) as stress biomarkers, but other extrinsic and intrinsic factors can influence GC levels and confound the results. To overcome this issue, including analyses of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), a GC antagonist, can be […]
Koalas showed limited behavioural response and no physiological response to drones
Drones have become a popular conservation tool especially when monitoring cryptic species or species inhabiting locations difficult to access. We developed a non-invasive methodology to measure heart rate in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) using a Fitbit and investigated the behavioural (vigilance behaviour) and physiological (heart rate and breathing rate) responses of captive koalas to drones. We […]
Validation of an enzyme immunoassay for measurement of fecal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in gibbons and siamangs
Monitoring wildlife stress levels is essential to ensure their quality of life in captivity or in the wild. One promising method to assess the stress response is the comeasurement of glucocorticoids (GC) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), adrenal hormones involved in the modulation of the stress response. Although noninvasive methods to measure GCs have been validated […]
Zoo‐housed mammals do not avoid giving birth on weekends
There is evidence that zoo visitor presence can influence the behaviour and, in some cases, adrenal response of zoo animals, and can sometimes compromise animal welfare. In some laboratory studies, significantly more primate births have been reported on weekends, when fewer people are working there, compared with weekdays when staffing levels are at their highest. […]
The effects of claw ligatures in American lobster (Homarus americanus) storage: a preliminary study of haemolymph parameters
American lobsters are crustaceans that are offered for sale live and are stored in controlled temperature recirculating aquaria. During marketing, they are subjected to stressors that can affect their welfare, such as air exposure, confinement, and handling. European legislation does not provide specific criteria or retention requirements, and so their management depends largely on the […]
A new approach of stress evaluation in fish using beta-D-Glucose measurement in fish holding-water
In general, the well-being of aquatic ecosystems is a key parameter reflecting ecosystem wealth. To avoid negative influences on fish physiology, the stress state of species must be monitored. β-d-glucose level is one of the key indicators of acute stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles and has been associated with different environmental conditions, including […]
Stress response, peripheral serotonin and natural antibodies in feather pecking genotypes and phenotypes and their relation with coping style
Feather pecking (FP), a serious welfare and economic issue in the egg production industry, has been related to coping style. Proactive and reactive coping styles differ in, among others, the stress response, serotonergic activity and immune activity. Yet, it is unknown whether genetic lines divergently selected on FP (i.e. FP genotypes) or individuals differing in […]
The development of fault bars in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) increases with acute stressors and individual propensity: implications for animal welfare
Negative experiences during feather growth can result in fault bar formation. Fault bars are malformations perpendicular to the rachis of the feather caused by stressful experiences during feather growth. However, there are little data on the causal effect of psychological stress on the formation of fault bars in chickens. The objective of this study was […]
The effect of positive or negative handling on the behavioural and physiological responses of nonlactating heifers
This experiment investigated the effects of positive and negative tactile handling on the stress physiology and behaviour of dairy heifers. Forty-eight 5–14-month-old nonlactating Holstein–Friesian heifers were allocated to one of two handling treatments, either positive or negative tactile handling, over four time replicates. Handlingwas imposed twice daily, 2–5 min per session and involved moving animals […]
Physiological stress responses in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, to the fishery practice of de-clawing
We examined physiological stress responses in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, subjected to the commercial fishery practice of manual de-clawing. We measured haemolymph glucose and lactate, plus muscular glycogen and glycogen mobilisation, in three experiments where the crabs had one claw removed. In the first, crabs showed physiological stress responses when ‘de-clawed’ as compared to […]