A comparison of daily total locomotor activity between the lactation and the dry period in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of farming management on the total locomotor activity (TLA) behaviour in dairy cattle. We recorded 24 h/day TLA in five not pregnant Holstein Friesian cows during parts of the lactation and dry periods, by means of an activity monitoring system (Actiwatch mini®) for seven days in each period. During mild lactation (period 1) animals were milked and fed twice a day. During the dry (period 2) they were kept to graze all day. In both periods hay and water were available ad libitum. Differences between the photophase and the scotophase were evaluated with a Student t-test. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine a statistical significant effect of time. A trigonometric statistical model was used to describe the main rhythmic parameters: mean level, amplitude, acrophase and robustness of rhythm.Our results showed a circadian rhythm of daily TLA in both periods, with different percentages of robustness, and acrophase in the middle of the photophase. The different patterns of activity in the two periods were attributed to the management practise during milking period. These results could be taken in consideration during farming management for the evaluation of such systems used in livestock, with respect to production and welfare.     

A neurological locomotor disorder in sheep grazing Stachys arvensis

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical signs and pathology of a neurological locomotor disorder in sheep associated with ingestion of Stachys arvensis. DESIGN: Field observations and laboratory examinations. PROCEDURE: Clinical and pathological examinations were performed on sheep with suspected S arvensis intoxication. FIELD OBSERVATIONS: Merino sheep in a flock on the southwestern slopes of New South Wales developed a neurological disorder after grazing S arvensis. Affected animals had pelvic limb paresis and a proprioceptive deficit. When forced to exercise they stumbled and collapsed. Recovery following removal from the plant was slow. Many deaths were associated with the outbreak. RESULTS: Affected sheep developed a mild degenerative myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Deficiencies of vitamins A and E were also observed in the affected flock. CONCLUSION: Grazing S arvensis is sometimes associated with a neurological locomotor disorder in sheep.     

Effect of thiamethoxam on cockroach locomotor activity is associated with its metabolite clothianidin

BACKROUND: In the present study, the effect of thiamethoxam and clothianidin on the locomotor activity of American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), was evaluated. Because it has been proposed that thiamethoxam is metabolised to clothianidin, high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the amount of clothianidin on thiamethoxam‐treated cockroaches. RESULTS: One hour after neonicotinoid treatment, the time spent in the open‐field‐like apparatus significantly increased, suggesting a decrease in locomotor activity. The percentage of cockroaches displaying locomotor activity was significantly reduced 1 h after haemolymph application of 1 nmol g^?1 neonicotinoid, while no significant effect was found after topical and oral administration. However, at 24 and 48 h, all neonicotinoids were able to reduce locomotor activity, depending on their concentrations and the way they were applied. Interestingly, it was found that thiamethoxam was converted to clothianidin 1 h after application, but the amount of clothianidin did not rise proportionately to thiamethoxam, especially after oral administration. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the effect of thiamethoxam on cockroach locomotor activity is due in part to clothianidin action because (1) thiamethoxam levels remained persistent 48 h after application and (2) the amount of clothianidin in cockroach tissues was consistent with the toxicity of thiamethoxam. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Behaviour and physiology of mountain whitefish ( Prosopium williamsoni) relative to short‐term changes in river flow

Despite the growing recognition that river flow can have an effect on the growth, distribution and survival of fishes, little is known about the underlying mechanisms to explain this effect. Furthermore, there are few examples of integrated measures of behaviour and physiology to study the responses of fish to river hydrology. Here, axial swimming muscle electromyograms were logged as a sensitive indicator of activity from 19 mountain whitefish ( Prosopium williamsoni) across a large range of hourly discharge magnitudes (mean = 621 m³·s^?1, range = 0–1770 m³·s^?1) in a hydropeaking reach of the Columbia River, Canada. Hourly mean discharge had a significant positive effect on swimming muscle activity. However, a large amount of the variance was unexplained, possibly due to social interactions, feeding and/or flow‐refuging behaviours. Fluctuating flows were no more energetically costly than stable flows. Discharge magnitude had a significant positive effect on blood cortisol concentrations. Yet, cortisol concentrations were low overall (mean ± SD = 1.60 ± 0.09 ng·ml^?1), suggesting that the small observed response could be the result of routine physiological processes rather than a stress response per se. Based on low blood lactate concentrations, mountain whitefish were not swimming exhaustively (i.e., anaerobic burst‐type swimming) at high flows.     

Effects of diet on spontaneous locomotor activity and oxygen consumption in Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)

Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) were maintained on a commercial diet enriched either in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the 3 series (3 LCPUFA) or in saturated fatty acids (SFA). The effects of dietary fatty acid composition on spontaneous locomotor activity in normoxia and hypoxia (O₂ tension = 10.5 ± 0.8 kPa), and on oxygen consumption (M^O ₂) in normoxia, in hypoxia (O₂ tension = 6.6 ± 0.8 kPa) and during recovery were then investigated. The effects of adding supplementary vitamin E to the fat-enriched diets were also studied.Dietary fatty acid composition had effects on spontaneous locomotor activity and M^O ₂ in normoxia. Activity levels were higher in all sturgeon fed extra dietary fats (without vitamin E), when compared with control animals, but fish fed 3 LCPUFA had a significantly lower M^O ₂ than those fed SFA, with intermediate M^O ₂ in controls. In hypoxia, sturgeon 3 LCPUFA did not alter activity or M^O ₂ whereas those fed SFA reduced both and controls reduced M^O ₂. During recovery, both animals fed SFA and controls had a higher M^O ₂ than sturgeon fed 3 LCPUFA. The data indicate that fish fed 3 LCPUFA are more tolerant of hypoxia than controls or those fed SFA, as they did not reduce either activity or M^O ₂, and consumed less O₂ during recovery.Vitamin E supplements modified the effects elicited by dietary fats. All sturgeon fed vitamin E had low activity levels in normoxia and hypoxia. Sturgeon fed vitamin E with 3 LCPUFA had a higher M^O ₂ in normoxia than those fed 3 LCPUFA alone; reduced M^O ₂ in hypoxia, and during recovery increased M^O ₂ to a rate higher than that of animals fed 3 LCPUFA alone. In normoxia, sturgeon fed vitamin E with SFA had a similar M^O ₂ to those fed SFA alone but did not change M^O ₂ in hypoxia or during recovery. Thus, the effects of vitamin E were dependent on fat composition of the diet. Vitamin E with 3 LCPUFA removed the beneficial effects on M^O ₂ and responses to hypoxia obtained with 3 LCPUFA alone, but vitamin E with SFA allowed sturgeon to maintain aerobic metabolism in hypoxia, a more effective response than that observed in fish fed SFA alone.     

Photic and non-photic entrainment on daily rhythm of locomotor activity in goats

We studied the photic (L/D cycle) and non-photic (restricted feeding) entrainment on the patterns of daily rhythm of total locomotor activity in goats. Six female Maltese goats were subjected to three different artificial L/D cycles: 12/12 L/D, 12/12 D/L and constant light. During the 12/12 L/D and 12/12 D/L, food and water were available ad libitum . During constant light, animals were subjected to a restricted feeding treatment. Total activity was recorded by means of an actigraphy-based data logger (Actiwatch-Mini^®). Our results showed that goats exhibited clear daily rhythms of activity in 12/12 L/D cycle, 12/12 D/L cycle and constant light, although they showed FAA prior the feeding time during the restricted feeding treatment. Goats were diurnal, with activity consistently beginning promptly following the onset of light. Even when the L/D cycle was delayed by 12 h on some days, to the daily rhythm was re-established. During the constant light period, the onset of activity was linked to the time of food administration. Our study evidences two factors for the rhythm of total locomotor activity in goats: light stimuli (photic) and food access (non photic), strongly coupled to permit organisms the adaptive temporal coordination of behaviour with stable and unstable environmental periodicities.     

Influence of incubation temperature on sea turtle hatchling quality

Since the 1980s it has been known that incubation temperature influences the sex ratio of sea turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests, and there has been much speculation on how global climate change might threaten sea turtle populations by raising nest temperatures and causing highly female‐biased hatchling sex ratios. More recently, studies have indicated that incubation temperature can also influence the size and locomotor performance of sea turtle hatchlings. Here I review recent studies that have explored the influence of incubation temperature on sea turtle hatchling quality in terms of hatchling morphology and locomotor performance. I also discuss the likely underlying mechanisms responsible for incubation temperature‐induced differences in hatchling locomotor performance, and how an increase in nest temperature associated with global warming might affect recruitment of sea turtle hatchlings.     

青年期心理社会环境改变对中老年小鼠焦虑 和自发探索活性的影响

探索青年期心理社会环境改变对中老年CD-1小鼠焦虑和自发探索活性行为的影响。结果表明,与青年组(3月龄)比较,老年对照组(18月龄)在旷场潜伏期和周边时间显著延长,跨格子数显著减少(Ps0.05);在黑白巷黑端时间和潜伏期显著延长,黑端到白端次数显著减少(Ps0.05)。12月龄应激组在旷场周边时间和在黑白巷黑端时间显著长于丰富环境组和对照组,跨越格子数显著减少(Ps0.05)。18月龄应激组在旷场周边时间和在黑白巷黑端时间、潜伏期显著长于丰富环境组(Ps0.05)。这些提示CD-1小鼠焦虑行为改变具有年龄依赖性,青年期心理社会环境改变可调节小鼠年龄相关性焦虑和自发探索活性行为的改变。     

Development of new self-feeding system for mass rearing of ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis</Emphasis> under artificial and natural light-dark cycles

Self-feeding of grouped ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis was examined under an artificial light-dark (LD) cycle and natural day length using a trigger with a photosensitive sensor. In Experiment 1, approximately 15 juvenile fish (mean body weight, 0.6 g) were kept in 60-L glass tanks (four tanks) under LD 12∶12 (lighting period 06∶00–18∶00 hours) and self-feeding and locomotor activities were simultaneously recorded. Self-feeding was detected within one day and feeding activities were strongly synchronized to the LD cycle, with almost strictly diurnal feeding (98.2%). Although locomotor activities in the upper part of the tank were also greatest during the light phase (76.8%), the activity profiles were different from those of self-feeding, suggesting the validity of the photosensitive sensor. In Experiment 2,25 fish (mean body weight, 15 g) were kept in outdoor 1000-L tanks (four tanks) under natural day length and water temperatures in May, and self-feeding was recorded from mid-August. Stable self-feeding was observed from early September in all the tanks. Nearly all food demands were diurnal, and usually crepuscular. Somatic growth was seen in all tanks. These results demonstrate that the self-feeding system using a photosensitive sensor is applicable for grouped juvenile ayu as small as 0.6 g and adult fish reared under natural conditions.     

CD-1小鼠孕晚期暴露LPS对中老年期焦虑和探索行为的影响

检测CD-1小鼠孕晚期暴露细菌脂多糖(LPS)对其中老年期焦虑和自发性探索活性行为的影响。结果显示,15月龄CD-1小鼠在3个任务中的焦虑水平均较青年组升高,自发性探索活动降低(Ps0.05)。接受LPS处理的15月龄小鼠与同龄对照组比较,高(50μg·kg-1)和低(25μg·kg-1)剂量组在旷场中的周边时间均显著长,跨格子数显著少(Ps0.05),高剂量组的直立次数也减少(P0.05)。在黑白巷中,高剂量组的潜伏期和黑巷时间均显著长于同龄对照组(Ps0.05)。高剂量组在高架十字迷宫中的直立次数显著少于同龄对照组。上述结果提示CD-1小鼠孕晚期暴露LPS可剂量依赖地加速其中老年期任务特异性焦虑和自发性探索活动行为改变。