Open Access
Research
(Published
online: 14-08-2016)
10.
Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to
transport stress in horses with previous different handling and
transport conditions -
E. Fazio, P. Medica, C. Cravana and A. Ferlazzo
Veterinary World, 9(8): 856-861
doi:
10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861
E. Fazio:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; fazio@unime.it
P. Medica:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; pmedica@unime.it
C. Cravana:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; ccravana@unime.it
A. Ferlazzo:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; ferlazzo@unime.it
Received: 21-04-2016, Accepted: 11-07-2016, Published online:
14-08-2016
Corresponding author:
E. Fazio, e-mail: fazio@unime.it
Citation:
Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo A (2016)
Pituitaryadrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in
horses with previous different handling and transport
conditions,
Veterinary World, 9(8):
856-861.
Abstract
Aim:
The changes of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis
response to a long distance transportation results in increase
of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels. The
purpose of the study was to quantify the level of short-term
road transport stress on circulating ACTH and cortisol
concentrations, related to the effect of previous handling and
transport experience of horses.
Materials and Methods:
The study was performed on 56 healthy horses after short-term
road transport of 30 km. The horses were divided into four
groups, Groups A, B, C, and D, with respect to the handling
quality: Good (Groups A and B), bad (Group D), and minimal
handling (Group C) conditions. According to the previous
transport, experience horses were divided as follows: Horses of
Groups A and D had been experienced long-distance transportation
before; horses of Groups B and C had been limited experience of
transportation.
Results:
One-way RM-ANOVA showed significant effects of transport on ACTH
changes in Groups B and C and on cortisol changes in both Groups
A and B. Groups A and B showed lower baseline ACTH and cortisol
values than Groups C and D; Groups A and B showed lower
post-transport ACTH values than Groups C and D. Groups A, B, and
C showed lower post-transport cortisol values than Group D. Only
Groups A and B horses have shown an adequate capacity of stress
response to transportation.
Conclusion:
The previous transport experience and quality of handling could
influence the HPA axis physiological responses of horses after
short-term road transport.
Keywords:
adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, horse, previous transport
experience, social context, transport stress.
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