Development of the Circadian Rhythm of Cortisol in the Gilt From Weaning Until Puberty

Evans, F. D.; Christopherson, R. J.; Aherne, F. X.

doi:10.4141/cjas88-126

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The same is evident in saliva (Ekkel et al, 1996;Ruis et al, 1997). An additional concentration peak is sometimes found in the afternoon (Evans et al, 1988;Griffith and Minton, 1991). A similar circadian rhythm is present in man (Krieger, 1979).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

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Environmental enrichment in early life affects cortisol patterns in growing pigs

Munsterhjelm

Valros

Heinonen

et al. 2010

Animal

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Effects of environmental enrichment at different stages of life on stress physiology of pigs were investigated in a trial with 63 groups, each of four siblings. In each of the three growing phases (suckling 0 to 4 weeks of age, nursery 5 to 9 weeks, fattening 10 to 24 weeks) pens either were (5E) or were not (50) enriched. Accordingly, the treatments were (i) 000, (ii) E00, (iii) EE0, (iv) 00E, (v) 0EE and (vi) EEE. The enrichment material, renewed twice daily to leave a thin layer, consisted of wood shavings and chopped straw. Salivary cortisol was sampled hourly from 0700 to 1900 h at the age of 9 and 21 weeks. The presence of a circadian secretion rhythm was evaluated by an intra-assay coefficient of variation-based method. An adrenocorticotropic hormone test was performed at 21 weeks. Treatment effects on the odds of a physiological cortisol rhythm were assessed by logistic regression, and effects on cortisol concentrations with a repeated measures GLM. Substrateenrichment from 0 to 9 weeks of age increased the odds of a rhythm as compared to barren housing (odds ratio (OR) 5 30.0, P , 0.01). A flat cortisol secretion pattern may indicate chronic stress and/or delayed maturation of the rhythm. Barren as compared to enriched rearing (0 to 4 weeks of age) seemed to cause a blunted secretion rhythm at 21 weeks of age. Although behavioural and tail lesion observations provided support to the assumption that a blunted rhythm indicates chronic stress, the biological significance of these cortisol results needs confirmation in future studies.Keywords: pig, cortisol, environmental enrichment, early enrichment ImplicationsThe welfare of intensively housed pigs is a matter of public concern. A crowded and barren environment is known to cause signs of stress. This research was designed to investigate effects on stress physiology of a very moderate amount of bedding provided at different stages of the life of pigs raised for slaughter. The quality (wood shavings and chopped straw) and amount was chosen to be compatible with partly slatted pen floors and slurry manure systems. The results indicate that a small amount of bedding in early life (0 to 4 weeks of age) will prevent physiological signs of stress at a later age. Due to use of unestablished methods the biological significance of these results needs more evidence to be disclosed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…about 24 h) rhythm. Concentrations in plasma peak in the morning and decline to reach a nadir in the evening (in pigs: Evans et al, 1988;Griffith and Minton, 1991). The same is evident in saliva (Ekkel et al, 1996;Ruis et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Environmental enrichment in early life affects cortisol patterns in growing pigs

Munsterhjelm

Valros

Heinonen

et al. 2010

Animal

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“…Alternatively, this may be partly due to the young age of the calves, as the ultradian rhythm of cortisol secretion develops with age. For example, in piglets the rhythmic secretory pattern is only fully developed at three to six months of age (Evans et al, 1988;Ruis et al, 1997). Different results have been found in the circadian cortisol concentration of cattle and other ruminant species.…”

Section: Hormonal Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 93%

The effect of floor type or relocation on calves’ pulsatile growth hormone and cortisol secretion

Hänninen

L⊘vendahl²,

Passillé

et al. 2006

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science

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To examine if hard floor or relocation to a new room affects the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) and cortisol in calves, we housed individually 12 calves on concrete floors and 12 on rubber mats for 67 Á74 days. Half of the calves in each pen were relocated to an identical but strange room. Serial blood samples were taken 24 h prior to and 24 h following relocation at 20-min intervals and were assayed for GH and cortisol. Both of the hormones had a clear ultradian pulsatile variation. We detected (mean9/se) 4.69/0.6 GH pulses/24 h. GH concentrations peaked four times during the day and pulses were higher in daytime. Cortisol peaked 5.89/0.6 times/24 h. Cortisol concentrations were highest at feeding. No overall effects of flooring or relocation were found but calves on concrete floors had greater cortisol concentrations than on rubber mats, especially during the night.

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“…Plasma or serum has been the most widely used samples to measure cortisol in pigs and they reflect both the fraction of protein-bound cortisol and the free cortisol [ 91 , 96 ]. However, there is a growing tendency to use saliva for cortisol measurements because it can be obtained by non-invasive techniques and reflects only the free cortisol which is the active fraction [ 43 , 83 , 97 ].…”

Section: Biomarkers Of Stress Studied In Pigsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes, consequences and biomarkers of stress in swine: an update

et al. 2016

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BackgroundIn recent decades there has been a growing concern about animal stress on intensive pig farms due to the undesirable consequences that stress produces in the normal physiology of pigs and its effects on their welfare and general productive performance. This review analyses the most important types of stress (social, environmental, metabolic, immunological and due to human handling), and their biological consequences for pigs. The physio-pathological changes associated with stress are described, as well as the negative effects of stress on pig production. In addition an update of the different biomarkers used for the evaluation of stress is provided. These biomarkers can be classified into four groups according to the physiological system or axis evaluated: sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and immune system.ConclusionsStress it is a process with multifactorial causes and produces an organic response that generates negative effects on animal health and production. Ideally, a panel of various biomarkers should be used to assess and evaluate the stress resulting from diverse causes and the different physiological systems involved in the stress response. We hope that this review will increase the understanding of the stress process, contribute to a better control and reduction of potential stressful stimuli in pigs and, finally, encourage future studies and developments to better monitor, detect and manage stress on pig farms.

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Development of the Circadian Rhythm of Cortisol in the Gilt From Weaning Until Puberty

Cited by 18 publications

References 12 publications

Environmental enrichment in early life affects cortisol patterns in growing pigs

Environmental enrichment in early life affects cortisol patterns in growing pigs

The effect of floor type or relocation on calves’ pulsatile growth hormone and cortisol secretion

Causes, consequences and biomarkers of stress in swine: an update

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