A newly‐found pattern of social relationships among adults within one‐male units of golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxenalla) in the Qinling Mountains,China

Group living provides various advantages to individuals in regards to protection avoidance, intergroup competition, productive success and social information. Stable one‐male units (OMUs) consist of relationships between the adult females and the resident male as well as the relationships among adult females. Based on continuous observation of a reproductive group of golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains, we analyzed the relationships among adult individual dyads within 4 OMUs. The results indicated that in golden snub‐nosed monkey societies, females not only had no strong tendency to build a relationship with the resident male in the OMU but also had no strong tendency to build relationships with other females in the OMU. In comparison with hamadryas (Papio hamadryas) and gelada baboons (Theropithecus gelada), the relationships within golden snub‐nosed monkeys OMUs showed neither the star‐shaped pattern observed in hamadryas baboons nor the net‐shaped pattern observed in gelada baboons. We concluded that the relationships within golden snub‐nosed monkey OMUs indicated a third pattern in nonhuman primate societies. Future research is required to determine the potential mechanisms for such a pattern.     

Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.     

Kinetic study of serum gentamicin concentrations in baboons after single-dose administration

This study establishes preliminary pharmacokinetic data on the use of gentamicin sulfate administered IM to baboons. Serum concentrations greater than or equal to 12 micrograms/ml are generally agreed to cause toxicosis in human beings. On the basis of preliminary test results suggesting that the manufacturer's recommended dosage for dogs of 4.4 mg/kg of body weight caused potentially toxic serum concentrations, a dosage of 3 mg/kg was chosen to conduct a single-dose kinetic study in 6 baboons. Using a single-compartment model, the gentamicin serum half-life for IM administration of 3 mg of gentamicin/kg was 1.58 hours, and serum concentrations remained below the potentially toxic concentrations reported for human beings. We suggest that a dosage of 3 mg/kg is safer than a dosage of 4.4 mg/kg administered IM to baboons. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were less than or equal to 1 micrograms/ml. On the basis of our measured elimination half-life of 1.58 hours, it is reasonable to suppose that dosing q24 h will be inadequate to maintain therapeutic serum concentrations. We calculate that serum concentrations will remain at or above our measured minimal inhibitory concentration for P aeruginosa (1 micrograms/ml) for 100% of the treatment time if the animal is dosed q 6h, 78% for dosing q 8h, and 52% for dosing q 12h. Therefore, we suggest 3 mg/kg, q 8h or q 6h as appropriate dosing schedules for the use of gentamicin sulfate administered IM to baboons.     

Requirements for the welfare of baboons and pigs used in animal-to-animal xenotransplantation experiments

Objective   Review the welfare requirements of pigs and baboons used for xenotransplantation in research laboratories. Because of the requirements to maintain optimum health status, these animals are often kept in barren enclosures with little or no enrichment. They may also be exposed to procedures causing stress and discomfort. Although animal-to-human xenotransplantation is, at the present time, not approved in Australia, research is currently being performed to develop laboratory procedures, using the pig-to-baboon model.
Results and conclusion   We make recommendations for the husbandry of baboons and pigs used for xenotransplantation, to increase their welfare and minimise stress during experimental procedures, while attempting to preserve the health status required. It is proposed that novel standards should be devised and implemented for baboons, whereas existing pig welfare appraisal schemes could, with minor changes, be suitable for assessing the welfare of pigs used for xenotransplantation.     

草坪型高羊茅幼苗对基质铅污染的生理生化响应

为探索植物对重金属的修复作用以及自身对重金属污染的生理效应,以基质盆栽高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)幼苗为试验材料,比较分析了不同铅胁迫下,高羊茅的生理生化效应.结果表明:随着胁迫时间的延长,不同铅浓度下的高羊茅叶片中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性整体变化为先升后降,POD变化趋势较为缓慢,表明低浓度或短时间内铅可快速诱导高羊茅保护酶活性.叶绿素总量变化为低浓度(500,1000 mg·L^-1)下先增加后下降,高浓度下则为持续下降,表明高羊茅可能通过增加叶绿素来适应低铅胁迫,而高浓度下则失去了这种调节能力.3个铅浓度下的丙二醛(MDA)含量与胁迫时间及胁迫浓度均为正相关,表明随着胁迫浓度和时间的增加,细胞膜脂过氧化作用加强.脯氨酸含量在500,1000 mg·L^-1铅浓度下随时间增加为先降后升,1500 mg·L^-1浓度下则相反,但均高于对照,表明经铅胁迫后细胞的渗透调节能力增强.3个浓度下的可溶性糖含量变化均随时间表现出降-升-降,最终显著降低,整个变化过程低于对照.因此在铅胁迫过程中,这些生理特性的变化表明在低铅胁迫时高羊茅表现为积极适应和抵抗,而在高铅胁迫下则表现为忍耐和受损.     

24-Hour Profiles of Plasma Cortisol and Testosterone in the Male Dog: Absence of Circadian Rhythmicity, Seasonal Influence and Hormonal Interrelationships

Contents: Temporal changes of plasma cortisol and testosterone concentrations were measured in intact adult male beagle dogs during the spring and autumn with natural photoperiods of 16L:BD and 10L:14D, respectively. Each animal was fitted with an indwelling cephalic vein catheter and blood was withdrawn every 30 min for 24 h. Examination of the hormonal profiles revealed that both steroids are secreted episodically characterized by irregular short term fluctuations which were variable among different dogs. In several instances sustained elevations of cortisol and testosterone secretion occurred but were unrelated to photoperiod. Despite individual variability in the secretion patterns the daily means of each hormone were similar and not statistically different between spring and autumn .
When the 24 h were divided into three 8-h periods, namely 8.00–16.00 h (I), 16.00–24.00 h (II) and 24.00–8.00 h (III) overall and baseline mean cortisol and testosterone levels were not significantly different between the individual time periods. It appears that the dog differs from other species in that cortisol secretion was not related to the light-dark cycle. Concentrations of both hormones were not significantly correlated with each other throughout the sampling periods. Results from this study indicate that in intact male dogs cortisol and testosterone are secreted episodically without any evidence of circadian rhythmicity and seasonal variation and that an endocrine interrelationship between the adrenal cortex and the testis is not prominent under normal physiological conditions .     

北京南海子麋鹿苑春季麋鹿粪样皮质醇激素变化及其指示作用

皮质醇是衡量动物应激状态的重要指标,为了研究游客对麋鹿应激状态的影响,通过非损伤性取样的方式,并同时调查游客数量,应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)对北京麋鹿苑春季麋鹿粪便皮质醇激素含量进行检测。结果表明,麋鹿粪样中的皮质醇变化均与前一日麋鹿苑内的游客量显著性相关,而与当日客流量的相关性则不明显,即表示麋鹿粪样中的皮质醇存在1 d左右的延迟性,与麋鹿从吃下食物到排粪约需1 d左右时间相一致。皮质醇激素变化范围表明北京麋鹿苑麋鹿的应激生理指标参数有一定波动范围,可作为将来对疑似患病个体进行诊断分析,为麋鹿个体诊断管理提供依据。     

Monitoring the effects of land transformation on African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as a measure of stress

In a time of increasing environmental change caused by anthropogenic disturbance, there is a greater need to understand animal adaptations to manmade environments. In this regard, the measurement of stress‐related endocrine markers provides a useful tool to examine the impact of environmental challenges and the physiological consequences for wildlife occupying such space. The aims of the present study were to validate fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress using samples from a male African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis; n = 1) and to compare fGCM concentrations of otters occurring in a transformed and in 2 natural areas in South Africa. From the 5 different enzyme‐immunoassays (EIA) tested, a cortisol and oxoetiocholanolone (measuring 11,17 dioxoandrostanes) EIA revealed the highest response (74% and 48% increase, respectively) 30 and 24 hours after a stress event (translocation of a captive individual as part of its rehabilitation prior to release), respectively. For both EIAs, fGCM concentrations were comparable for samples collected up to 3 h post‐defecation. Using the cortisol EIA for subsequent analyses, fGCM concentrations of animals from the transformed area (n = 20; mean [± SD]: 0.468 [± 0.539] µg/g dry weight [DW]) were significantly higher (P = 0.013) than those from otters in the natural areas (n = 17; 0.242 [± 0.226] µg/g DW). These preliminary results suggest that African clawless otters may have increased adrenocortical activity that could be due to conditions linked to living in a transformed environment.     

The effect of blood sampling method on indicators of physiological stress in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

The effects of manual blood sampling and remote blood sampling using automatic blood sampling equipment (ABSE) on plasma cortisol and catecholamine concentrations were studied on eight adult female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Contemporary body temperatures and heart rates were also recorded to determine their utility as other possible stress indicators. The animals were blood sampled once every hour with ABSE on 9-10 May and then by manual blood sampling on 13-14 May. Animals were also fitted with equipment to record heart rate and body temperature. Heart rate and body temperature were also recorded continuously without blood sampling on 17-18 May in undisturbed control conditions. Plasma cortisol concentrations were five-to-six fold greater during manual blood sampling compared to sampling with ABSE (F(1,3) = 13.34, P < 0.05). Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were significantly higher (F(1,3) = 22.98, P < 0.05) during manual blood sampling compared to sampling with ABSE, whereas plasma adrenaline concentrations did not differ. Heart rate was higher during manual blood sampling compared to control values. Body temperature was significantly higher during manual sampling compared to values recorded without blood sampling (F(1,4)= 31.65, P < 0.01). In conclusion, plasma cortisol concentration provides an excellent indicator of handling stress in reindeer. The use of ABSE for blood sampling enables measurements of plasma cortisol levels close to basal concentrations that may be used for reference values in studies where indicators of physiological stress are required.     

Can testosterone and corticosterone predict the rate of display of male sexual behaviour,development of secondary sexual characters and fertility potential in primary broiler breeders?

1. Genetic selection for growth to enhance production may be associated with stress and with modified physiological and behavioural phenotypes which depress male primary broiler breeder fertility. 2. We hypothesised that male serum testosterone (T) and corticosterone (C) concentrations might correlate with fertility, sexual behaviour, and testicular, comb and wattle size. 3. Cockerels from two genetic strains (A and B) of primary broiler breeder were penned individually with an average of 10 females across 5 age periods (30 to 51 weeks) to evaluate male fertility, behaviour, serum T and C, and comb, wattle and testicular dimensions. 4. Strain A males had higher T at age periods 2, 4 and 5 than Strain B. Both strains had basal concentrations of C, apart from an elevated concentration for Strain B in period 5. 5. Strain B had a weak but significant, positive correlation between sexual behaviour and T and C, while Strain A males with higher C had larger combs and wattles. 6. Neither T nor C correlated with fertility. We conclude that evaluation of these endocrine factors (quantifiable measurements with the potential to correlate with fertility) alone seems insufficient to predict male fertility potential in these strains of primary broiler breeder.     

Towards informed metrics for examining the role of human‐induced animal responses in tag studies on wild animals

Two prime issues can detrimentally affect animals that have been equipped with tags: (i) the effect of the capture and restraint process; and (ii) the effect of the tag itself. This work examines some of the issues surrounding quantification of tag effects on wild animals for both restrained and free‐living animals. A new method to quantify stress effects based on monitoring ventilation rates in relation to activity is suggested for restrained animals which may help improve the practice of handling animals. It is also suggested that various metrics, many derived from accelerometers, can be examined in tagged wild animals to examine the change in behaviors over time with a view to having a better understanding of welfare issues, assuring the quality of recorded data and informing best practice.     

Analysis of the costs of veterinary education and factors associated with financial stress among veterinary students in Australia

Objective

To investigate the course‐related and other costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia and how these costs are met. The study also aimed to identify sociodemographic and course‐related factors associated with increased financial stress.

Methods

Students from seven Australian veterinary schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A total of 443 students participated (response rate 17%). Responses to survey items relating to finances, employment and course‐related costs were compared with sociodemographic factors and prior research in the area of student financial stress.

Results

Respondents reported spending a median of A$300 per week on living costs and a median of A$2,000 per year on course‐related expenses. Over half of respondents received the majority of their income from their parents or Youth Allowance (56%). A similar proportion (55%) reported that they needed to work to meet basic living expenses. Circumstances and sociodemographic factors linked to perceived financial stress included requiring additional finances to meet unexpected costs during the course; sourcing additional finances from external loans; an expected tuition debt at graduation over A$40,000; being 22 years or older; working more than 12 hours per week; living costs above A$300 per week; and being female.

Conclusion

The costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia are high and over half of respondents are reliant on parental or Government income support. Respondents with certain sociodemographic profiles are more prone to financial stress. These findings may have implications for the psychological health, diversity and career plans of veterinary students in Australia.     

Novelty causes elevated heart rate and immune changes in pigs exposed to handling, alleys, and ramps

The objective of the present research was to quantify the cardiovascular and physiological responses in pigs subjected to novel alleys and ramps. Ten test subject pigs were selected per treatment. The first (trained) group were trained to navigate a course including a ramp. Testing was daily for seven days. Once training was completed, the trained and control (naïve) groups were exposed to a fixed course, the course and ramp (both up and down) while heart rates, time, handling difficulty, and blood were collected to determine the innate responses. Heart rates of trained pigs were reduced significantly (P = 0.003) compared to naïve pigs travelling the same course. Both handling ease and handling time were significantly improved for the trained pigs (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01 respectively) compared to naïve pigs. Blood immune measures indicated reduced stress among trained pigs who had lower neutrophil numbers (P = 0.04) and lower total and average phagocytosis (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02) compared with naïve pigs. This study demonstrated that the exposure of pigs to a novel environment clearly causes a mild physiological response. Pigs are not inherently stressed by alleys and ramps, but rather novel experiences cause handling problems and a stress response and minimal training can reduce the stress experience for the pig.     

Physiological responses of young cross‐bred calves immediately after long‐haul road transportation and after one week of habituation

We investigated 10 suckling cross‐bred calves (Japanese Black (Wagyu) × Holstein) and collected data on the physiological stress responses of the young calves to long‐haul road transportation. All calves were male and 21–47 days of age. The calves were obtained at a livestock market and were transported from the market to the university in a commercial livestock vehicle. The total haul distance and time were 306.9 km and 7 h, respectively. The calves were deprived of food and water during transportation. Blood samples, electrocardiograms, and rectal temperatures were collected immediately after transportation and after one week of habituation at the university. Serum pH was significantly lower (P < 0.01), while serum triiodothyronine, aspartate aminotransferase, non‐esterified fatty acids (all P < 0.05), and heart rate (P < 0.01) were significantly higher immediately after transportation. The concentrations of blood lactic acid (P = 0.08) and serum alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.06) tended to be higher after transportation. These physiological responses suggest that the stress caused by long‐haul transportation causes significant effects on liver function in young calves.     

环境浓度三丁基锡对根田鼠体重及摄食相关行为的影响

为了探究环境浓度三丁基锡（tributyltin,TBT）对根田鼠体重及摄食相关行为的影响,实验组使用1μg/mL的TBT按5μL/（g·BW）每3 d 1次进行灌胃;对照组使用等剂量生理盐水做相同处理,实验持续45 d。记录根田鼠体重,并计算其摄食量和饮水量（供给－剩余）;摄食、饮水和运动的持续时间和频次用录像记录。结果显示：TBT暴露下,雄性根田鼠的摄食频次和时间、饮水频次和时间仅在有限的几个时间点上显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;对雌性根田鼠摄食和饮水的频次和时间的影响不明显。TBT暴露下,雄性根田鼠仅在灌胃第3天时其运动时间显著高于对照组（P<0.05）、静止时间显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,而随着染毒时间的延长,两组之间再无显著性差异。与对照组相比,TBT暴露对雌雄根田鼠摄食量、饮水量和体重的影响均不明显。因此,环境浓度的三丁基锡对成体根田鼠的体重没有明显影响,但对其摄食相关行为有部分影响。     

Genetic analysis of group composition and relatedness in white‐headed langurs

We collected fecal samples of white‐headed langurs from 3 of the 4 remaining habitat fragments (Fa, Fb and CZ) located in southwestern Guangxi, China in Nov 2005, and used 5 microsatellite loci and the SRY gene to assess the relatedness between 46 langurs within and between groups. We observed 2 forms of group structure: one‐male/multi‐female groups (OMGs) and all‐male groups (AMGs). One AMG in Fa was composed of 2 generations, included a father, 2 sons and 1 unrelated male, and all OMGs in all 3 habitats included 1 resident male, several adult females and offspring. Of the 21 identified father‐offspring cases, the resident male fathered 20 (95%) and the non‐resident male sired 1 (5%), suggesting that adult males had overwhelming priority of access to females as the resident male in an OMG, while the non‐resident male may also have the opportunity to adopt surreptitious mating strategies.     

PEG胁迫下4个黑麦草品种生理生化指标响应与比较研究

利用不同浓度PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫,比较研究4个多年生黑麦草品种叶片生理生化指标响应。结果表明,不同PEG胁迫处理下,品种“欧必克”叶片相对含水量均最高且降幅最小,叶片电导率均最低,MDA含量增幅较小,叶片细胞膜系统有较强的忍耐干旱的能力;而品种“凤凰”忍耐干旱的性能相对较弱。胁迫下各品种叶片游离脯氨酸含量显著增加,随渗透胁迫加剧,品种“欧必克”脯氨酸含量急剧上升。低浓度胁迫下(5%PEG),各品种叶片SOD活性均提高,胁迫加剧时SOD活性则下降。PEG渗透胁迫导致4个多年生黑麦草品种叶片相对含水量下降、细胞膜透性增大、MDA含量增加、脯氨酸含量上升而SOD活性下降,但4个品种对应指标的变化幅度存在差异,品种“欧必克”的抗旱性最强,而“凤凰”的抗旱性最弱。     

Survival is negatively associated with glucocorticoids in a wild ungulate neonate

It is unknown how ungulate physiological responses to environmental perturbation influence overall population demographics. Moreover, neonatal physiological responses remain poorly studied despite the importance of neonatal survival to population growth. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones potentially facilitate critical physiological and behavioral responses to environmental perturbations. However, elevated GC concentrations over time may compromise body condition and indirectly reduce survival. We evaluated baseline salivary cortisol (CORT; a primary GC in mammals) concentrations in 19 wild neonatal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a northern (NS) and southern (SS) area in Pennsylvania. After ranking survival models consisting of variables hypothesized to influence neonate survival (i.e. weight, sex), the probability of neonate survival was best explained by CORT concentrations, where elevated CORT concentrations were associated with reduced survival probability to 12 weeks of age. Cortisol concentrations were greater in the SS where predation rates and predator densities were lower. As the first evaluation of baseline CORT concentrations in an ungulate neonate to our knowledge, this is also the first study to demonstrate CORT concentrations are negatively associated with ungulate survival at any life stage. Glucocorticoid hormones could provide a framework in which to better understand susceptibility to mortality in neonatal white-tailed deer.     

Premedication of dogs with acepromazine or pentazocine before euthanasia with carbon monoxide.

Euthanasia of unwanted or sick animals should always be done in a humane manner. This study involving two groups of 12 dogs evaluated a two step method of euthanasia using first acepromazine or pentazocine then inhalation of carbon monoxide. During the experiment, behavioral reactions (anxiety, agitation, vocalization and sphincter relaxation) and physiological parameters (electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, arterial blood pressure, respiratory and heart rates and serum cortisol) were monitored. The results showed that both drugs modified many behavioral reactions and physiological changes associated with administration of carbon monoxide. Acepromazine and pentazocine reduced by 25% and 20% respectively the number of dogs that showed vocalization and agitation. In acepromazine premedicated dogs, the duration of these signs was significantly diminished and sphincter relaxation did not occur in more than 50% of cases. Furthermore, with the use of acepromazine, no significant peaks or drastic drops were noticed in the heart and respiratory rates and in the arterial blood pressure. These manifestations are usually related to stress. In light of these results, it is recommended to premedicate dogs with acepromazine before submitting them to euthanasia by carbon monoxide inhalation.     

Evaluation of a segmented rectal probe and caudal epidural anesthesia for electroejaculation of bulls

Changes in concentrations of cortisol and progesterone in serial blood samples were used to quantify a stress response to different methods of electroejaculation in 10 Hereford bulls. Treatments included restraint (control), and electroejaculation using rectal probes with segmented electrodes or conventional nonsegmented electrodes, with or without lidocaine caudal epidural anesthesia. A subjective scoring system was used to assess behavioral responses to the different methods of electroejaculation. The increases in concentrations of serum cortisol and progesterone after electroejaculation were higher for all electroejaculation treatments than for restraint alone. The increases in serum progesterone concentrations were significantly lower at 5 and 20 minutes after electroejaculation with epidural anesthesia than with no anesthesia. However, the change in cortisol or progesterone concentrations did not differ after electroejaculation when comparing the conventional probe or a segmented probe at any time during the study. Subjective scoring showed no differences among electroejaculation methods. Use of epidural anesthesia was beneficial in reducing progesterone, one indicator of an endocrine stress response to electroejaculation.