A single exposure to social isolation in domestic piglets activates behavioural arousal, neuroendocrine stress hormones, and stress-related gene expression in the brain

Kanitz, Ellen; Puppe, Birger; Tuchscherer, Margret; Heberer, M; Viergutz, Torsten; Tuchscherer, Armin

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.05.007

Cited by 72 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Moreover, the time of weaning in modern pig production has shifted to younger ages which may lead to severe weaning stress and a state of compromised welfare (Hameister et al, 2010). Yet, information on the impact of psychosocial stress on brain development in postnatal pigs and the underlying molecular mechanisms are limited (Poletto et al, 2006; Sumner et al, 2008; Kanitz et al, 2009). Using the pig as a suitable animal model, previous studies have shown that a 4-h period of social isolation in piglets resulted in increased behavioral arousal, HPA axis activation and stress-related gene expression in the brain (Kanitz et al, 2009), as well as altered immune function (Tuchscherer et al, 2009, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, information on the impact of psychosocial stress on brain development in postnatal pigs and the underlying molecular mechanisms are limited (Poletto et al, 2006; Sumner et al, 2008; Kanitz et al, 2009). Using the pig as a suitable animal model, previous studies have shown that a 4-h period of social isolation in piglets resulted in increased behavioral arousal, HPA axis activation and stress-related gene expression in the brain (Kanitz et al, 2009), as well as altered immune function (Tuchscherer et al, 2009, 2010). However, recent studies have demonstrated that these social deprivation-induced changes in behavior, HPA activity and immune response can be attenuated by social support from age-matched conspecifics that results in positive effects on the welfare and ability to cope with stress in piglets (Kanitz et al, 2014; Tuchscherer et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Support Modulates Stress-Related Gene Expression in Various Brain Regions of Piglets

Kanitz

Hameister

Tuchscherer

et al. 2016

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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The presence of an affiliative conspecific may alleviate an individual’s stress response in threatening conditions. However, the mechanisms and neural circuitry underlying the process of social buffering have not yet been elucidated. Using the domestic pig as an animal model, we examined the effect of a 4-h maternal and littermate deprivation on stress hormones and on mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD) types 1 and 2 and the immediate early gene c-fos in various brain regions of 7-, 21- and 35-day old piglets. The deprivation occurred either alone or with a familiar or unfamiliar age-matched piglet. Compared to piglets deprived alone, the presence of a conspecific animal significantly reduced free plasma cortisol concentrations and altered the MR/GR balance and 11ß-HSD2 and c-fos mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala and hypothalamus, but not in the hippocampus. The alterations in brain mRNA expression were particularly found in 21- or 35-day old piglets, which may reflect the species-specific postnatal ontogeny of the investigated brain regions. The buffering effects of social support were most pronounced in the amygdala, indicating its significance both for the assessment of social conspecifics as biologically relevant stimuli and for the processing of emotional states. In conclusion, the present findings provide further evidence for the importance of the cortico-limbic network underlying the abilities of individuals to cope with social stress and strongly emphasize the benefits of social partners in livestock with respect to positive welfare and health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Support Modulates Stress-Related Gene Expression in Various Brain Regions of Piglets

Kanitz

Hameister

Tuchscherer

et al. 2016

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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“…Recent findings from our group indicate that social isolation of piglets reliably activates the release of stress hormones and causes changes in the proportions of blood lymphocytes, reflecting also the negative emotions experienced by this treatment (18,19). In contrast to rodents, the pig HPA axis is well developed and functional at birth (20).…”

mentioning

confidence: 84%

Altered Immunomodulation by Glucocorticoids in Neonatal Pigs Exposed to a Psychosocial Stressor

et al. 2010

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Stressful early life experiences can have short-and long-term effects on neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms of adaptation, which are primarily modulated by glucocorticoids. This study aimed to examine how the stress and immune systems interact to cope with psychosocial stress induced by a single social isolation (4 h) in neonatal pigs at 7, 21, or 35 d of age. This social isolation provoked increased plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations and reduced TNF-␣ levels but had no significant effect on IL-6 levels. Socially isolated piglets had a higher lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) than controls, whereas concanavalin A (ConA)-induced proliferation was not affected by isolation. A single social isolation also induced a dose-dependent cortisol resistance in ConA-and LPS-stimulated PBMCs compared with controls, which may be an adaptive response in the short term. Moreover, LPS-stimulated cultures from control piglets showed a reduction in cortisol sensitivity with increasing age. Conclusively, these findings provide stress-related measures for the psychophysiological assessment of livestock handling practices but might also have implications for stress and health studies in young animals and humans. (Pediatr Res 68: 473-478, 2010)

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“…The expression of the IEG product c-Fos is induced by a variety of stimuli, like social and environmental factors as well as after different forms of learning. In piglets, a single exposure to social stress already elevated c-fos mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and amygdala [9]. Acute heat load, for instance, induced strong c-Fos expression in hypothalamic neurons in mice and rats [10,11], short-term after application.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Long-Lasting Effect of Changes in Incubation Temperature on Heat Stress Induced Neuronal Hypothalamic c-Fos Expression in Chickens

Janke¹,

Tzschentke²

2010

TOOENIJ

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Abstract:In birds, during prenatal 'critical periods' the thermoregulatory system can be life-long imprinted by the actual incubation temperature. The aim of the present study is to elucidate long-term effects of prenatal temperature experiences, applied at the end of incubation, on central thermoregulatory mechanisms by detection of neuronal hypothalamic c-Fos expression as a consequence of acute heat stress in growing and adult chickens using immunohistochemistry. From day 18 of incubation chicken embryos were incubated in three temperature groups: 37.5°C (regular incubated), 34.5°C (cold incubated) or 38.5°C (warm incubated). C-Fos expression was detected in 29 4-weeks old and 61 8-weeks old chickens after acute heat stress (42°C for 90 min). The results show, that prenatal temperature experiences can induce long-lasting changes in the heat induced neuronal hypothalamic c-Fos expression. But significant alterations could be only found in 8 weeks old chickens and these changes were in opposite as expected. It means that after acute heat stress cold incubated chickens have a significantly lower neuronal c-Fos expression compared with the warm incubated ones. This effect could be caused by cross adaptation to the actual ambient temperature during the growing period. Further, the developmental pattern of the hypothalamic neuronal network in different incubated birds, which is demonstrated by neuronal c-Fos expression in the actual study, is similar to the pattern, which we found after recordings of single neurons activity, to a higher extent. Correlations between both parameters, which are involved in neuronal plasticity, can be accepted.

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A single exposure to social isolation in domestic piglets activates behavioural arousal, neuroendocrine stress hormones, and stress-related gene expression in the brain

Cited by 72 publications

References 60 publications

Social Support Modulates Stress-Related Gene Expression in Various Brain Regions of Piglets

Social Support Modulates Stress-Related Gene Expression in Various Brain Regions of Piglets

Altered Immunomodulation by Glucocorticoids in Neonatal Pigs Exposed to a Psychosocial Stressor

Long-Lasting Effect of Changes in Incubation Temperature on Heat Stress Induced Neuronal Hypothalamic c-Fos Expression in Chickens

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