The assessment of the effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress using saliva sampling in cows

Abstract

The effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress was assessed by saliva sampling in cows. Three Japanese Black test cows and another companion cow were used. At 09.00 hours, one of the test cows was housed in an experimental pen with the companion in a neighboring pen. At 11.30 hours, the test cow was socially isolated by taking the companion out the neighboring pen. At 12.00 hours, the test cow was exposed to one of four treatments until 15.00 hours; presenting a blank picture (P-Blank), a white-ground picture of the companion's face (P-Com) or an unfamiliar Holstein's face (P-Hol), or the companion in the neighboring pen and a blank picture (Com). The cows were randomly exposed to all treatments. The cows' saliva were sampled for measuring salivary cortisol and chromogranin A concentrations (Sa-Cort, Sa-ChA) at 11.30, 12.00, 12.30 and 14.00 hours. At 12.00 hours, Sa-ChA was higher than that at 11.30 hours (P < 0.01). At 12.30 hours Sa-ChA of Com and P-Com were lower than that of P-Blank (P = 0.09, P = 0.08). At 14.00 hours Sa-Cort of Com was lower than that of P-Blank (P < 0.01), but Sa-Cort of P-Com was higher than that of P-Blank (P < 0.01). It is suggested that P-Com might decrease isolation stress only a short time, but afterward induced stress in cows.

Measurement of chromogranin A in porcine saliva: validation of a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay and evaluation of its application as a marker of acute stress

“…The mean increase of CgA was of 31%, a value that is between the increases described in several human studies about acute stress for the effect of examination (26%; Takatsuji et al, 2008) and after venipuncture in children (49%; Lee et al, 2006). Moreover, in the study about social isolation stress using saliva sampling in cows was described as a mean increase of 50% after 30 min of social isolation (Ninomiya and Sato, 2011). To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies about the use of salivary CgA as a marker of stress in pigs that could be compared with our results.…”

“…In contrast, in veterinary medicine, there is only one study on salivary CgA, which was evaluated as a marker of social isolation stress in cows (Ninomiya and Sato, 2011).…”

“…In veterinary medicine, the measurement of canine plasma CgA concentrations has also been proposed as a useful index for evaluation of an acute -E-mail: jjceron@um.es stress response (Akiyoshi et al, 2005a). In addition, salivary CgA has been indicated as a possible marker of stress response in cows (Ninomiya and Sato, 2011), although its physiological role in saliva and in the stress response is still debated.…”

Models and Methods to Investigate Acute Stress Responses in Cattle

“…As such, social isolation or introduction to a new social group can be significant stressors for an individual animal [ 57 ] resulting in diverse behavioral and physical responses ( Figure 3 ). Ninomiya and Sato evaluated the effects of social isolation stress by measuring salivary cortisol and chromogranin A-like immunoreactivity (IR) to reflect HPA activity and SAM activity, respectively [ 58 ]. Chromogranin A was significantly elevated in socially isolated cows but cortisol concentrations remained unchanged two hours after social isolation [ 58 ].…”

“…Ninomiya and Sato evaluated the effects of social isolation stress by measuring salivary cortisol and chromogranin A-like immunoreactivity (IR) to reflect HPA activity and SAM activity, respectively [ 58 ]. Chromogranin A was significantly elevated in socially isolated cows but cortisol concentrations remained unchanged two hours after social isolation [ 58 ]. The effect of prolonged social isolation was examined in Friesian cows isolated for a period of either 4 or 8 weeks.…”