Evaluation of Stress Accompanying Immunocontraceptive Vaccination in Donkeys

Abstract

The overpopulation of donkeys is recognized as a problem in many parts of the world. The main concerns with uncontrolled donkey populations are habitat degradation and competition for feed resources between donkeys and other species. One of the most effective and humane solutions is the use of immunocontraception. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the stress imposed by the use of two formulations of a zona pellucida (ZP) vaccine, a recombinant (reZP) and a native porcine (pZP) vaccine, both formulated with a Freund’s adjuvant. The stress was objectively measured using fecal cortisol concentrations and physical examination parameters at fixed points before and after vaccination. We hypothesized that fewer changes in physical exam parameters and lower fecal cortisol concentrations would be stimulated in jennies treated with the reZP vaccine due to the selection of specific proteins. Twenty-five reproductively sound jennies were randomly assigned to reZP (n = 9), pZP (n = 8) or control (n = 8) groups. The vaccines were administered at five-week intervals. Physical exam parameters and body wall thickness of injection sites were recorded for each jenny for four days post-injections. Fecal samples were obtained every other day from day 0 (first vaccination) through day 6 and on days 35 to 41 after booster. Injection site reactions were common in all groups with the reZP and pZP groups being overrepresented. Lameness was observed in the pZP and reZP groups that were affected by injection site reactions and open abscesses. The present study showed an increase in fecal cortisol concentrations within 4 days after the first vaccination with ZP vaccines and, thereafter, a decrease in cortisol 35 days later after the second vaccination, especially in donkeys with open abscesses. Our results suggest that acute stress (increased cortisol) was induced after the first vaccination, and chronic stress (decreased cortisol) occurred thereafter in association with open abscesses. In conclusion, reZP and pZP formulated with Freund’s adjuvant induced local inflammatory reactions with a differential degree of acute and chronic stress in donkeys.

Efficacy and Safety of Native and Recombinant Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive Vaccines Formulated with Non-Freund’s Adjuvants in Donkeys

“…Although cortisol was not assessed in the present study, cortisol and progesterone concentrations have been positively correlated with stress or administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone in many species [58,[60][61][62][63] including humans [64,65] and ovariectomised rats, dogs and cats [66][67][68]. In donkeys, elevation in cortisol levels have been observed following the presumed stress of severe injection site reactions from inoculation with reZP and pZP formulated with Freund's adjuvant [53]. While no severe vaccineassociated adverse reactions were observed in the animals of the current study, the raised progesterone concentrations observed in jennies with ovarian shutdown may possibly have been associated with mild vaccine-associated stress episodes.…”

“…Moreover, a recent study reported an acute stress response, characterised by an increase in faecal corticosteroid metabolite concentrations (FCMC) after the first vaccination with pZP and reZP formulated with Freund's adjuvants. Following the booster, FCMC remained chronically high [53]. The changes in FCMC were more pronounced in jennies that developed injection site reactions and open abscesses.…”