• Title/Summary/Keyword: Animal Behaviour

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Effects of Environmental Factors on Performances and Behavioural Patterns of Growing Pigs (環境條件이 育成豚의 增體와 行動에 미치는 影響)

  • 김두환;김철욱;송영민;진상근
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.145-153
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    • 1995
  • This study was conducted to determine the effects of non-climatic environmental factors on performances and behavioural patterns of growing pigs. Two hundred and seventy growing pigs were confined and administered with three levels of spaces per pig(0.33, 0.44 and 0.66$m^2$) and three different numbers of pigs per pen(12, 15 and 18 pigs) from 30kg to 60kg body weight. This study was designed by using 3 $\times$ 3 factorial arrangement(three levels of spaces $\times$ three different numbers of pigs) and investigated the effects of main factors and the relationship between each factors. The result of this study were summarized as follows; 1. The 0.44$m^2$ of floor space per pig improved(p<0.01) the weight gain and the feed/gain during the growing phase. 2. The 15 pigs per pen showed the faster gain and improved feed/gain than the 12 or 18 pigs per pen during the growing phase(p<0.05). 3. The reduction of floor space of growing pigs caused the reduction of resting, non-aggressive social behaviour but eating, aggressive behaviour was increased(p<0.01). 4. Group size affected the behavioural patterns significantly(p<0.01) of growing pigs. The aggressive and eating behaviour increased but resting behaviour decreased by crowding in the growing pigs. 5. Therefore we concluded that growing pigs need 0.44$m^2$ per pig and 15 pigs per pen for the better raising condition.

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Behaviour of twin- and triplet-born lambs and their dam 3 to 18 hours after birth is not a useful predictor of lamb survival to weaning

  • Gronqvist, G.V.;Hickson, R.E.;Kenyon, P.R.;Morris, S.T.;Stafford, K.J.;Corner-Thomas, R.A.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.33 no.11
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    • pp.1848-1857
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    • 2020
  • Objective: An experiment was designed to determine if behaviour traits expressed by twin- and triplet-bearing lambs and their dams at 3 to 18 hours of age (after the immediate ewe-lamb bonding had occurred) were associated with lamb survival to weaning. Methods: The behaviour of twin and triplet lambs and their dams was assessed in the paddock at 3 to 18 hours after birth. Observations were made of the number of high- and low-pitched bleats, time to stand, make contact with dam, suck from dam and follow dam were recorded for each lamb. The maternal behaviour score of each dam was assessed. A random sub-sample of lambs were assessed during a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 hours of age. Traits included time spent standing, sitting, walking, time taken to reach the ewes and time spent with the ewes as well as the number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the lamb. Results: In the paddock, for each additional second required for twin-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 1.004 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.008) times more likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). The opposite relationship, however, was seen in triplet lambs. For each additional second required for triplet-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 0.996 (95% CI 0.993 to 0.999) times as likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). During the maternal recognition test, twin-born lambs were 0.989 (95% CI 0.979 to 1.000) times as likely to survive to weaning for every additional second they took to reach the contact zone (p<0.05). Similarly, triplet-born lambs were 0.994 (95% CI 0.989 to 0.999) as likely to survive for every additional second they took to reach their dam (p<0.05). Conclusion: All ewe behaviours and the majority of lamb paddock and test behaviours were not associated with the survival of twin- or triplet-born lambs and, therefore, are of little use as indicators of lamb survival to weaning.

INTRACEREBROVENTRICULARLY ADMINISTERED PHENYLALANINE AND TYROSINE: EFFECTS ON FEEDING BEHAVIOUR AND NOREPINEPHRINE CONCENTRATIONS OF SPECIFIC BRAIN SITES IN THE CHICKEN

  • Choi, Y.-H.;Furuse, M.;Okumura, J.;Shimoyama, Y.;Sugahara, K.;Denbow, D.M.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.9 no.3
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    • pp.255-259
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    • 1996
  • A study was carried out to investigate the action of central L-pheylalanine (Phe) and L-tyrosine (Tyr) on food intake of the chicken. In the first trial, Phe ($200{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) or saline was acutely administered into the right lateral ventricle (i.c.v.) of chickens (5 birds per each group). Birds (4 birds per each group) were administered with the i.c.v. Tyr ($200{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) or saline in the second trial. The brains of the birds were removed for catecholamine assy 30 min postadministration. Catecholamine concentrations were measured at specific sites of the brain (LH: lateral hypothalamus, PVN: paraventricular nucleus, and VMH: ventromedial hypothalamus). No significant effect of amino acids on the concentration of norepinephrine of brain sites investigated was detected. Food intake and rectal body temperature were also monitored for 6 h after central administrations of Phe, Tyr or saline (5 birds per each group). Both Phe and Tyr, up to $1mg/10{\mu}l$, failed to modulate food intake or rectal body temperature.

Behavioral Aspects of Captive Alpine Musk Deer during Non-mating Season: Gender Differences and Monthly Patterns

  • Meng, Xiuxiang;Zhao, Changjie;Hui, Cenyi;Luan, Xiaofeng
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.707-712
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    • 2011
  • The objective of the present study was to determine gender-related and month-related behavioral differences in captive alpine musk deer. The study was conducted at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm (XMDF) of Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve in Gansu Province of western China. The integrated method of focal sampling and all occurrence recording was utilized to quantify the behavioural patterns of 45 captive alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) during non-mating season (from August $1^{st}$ to October $25^{th}$), and the behavioural durations of 12 behavioural patterns such as standing-gazing were recorded. The behavioural modes were compared to explore the potential differences between females and males, and the monthly behavioural modes for males and females were analyzed. Our results showed that the captive female deer in XMDF could compensate the energy lost in pregnancy, parturition and lactation through improving its ingestive efficiency. In order to be more sensitive to the changing environment, females expressed more standing-gazing (SG: $67.38{\pm}12.69\;s$) and moving (MO; $27.41{\pm}5.02\;s$), but less bedding (BE: $42.32{\pm}11.35\;s$) than male deer (SG: $56.43{\pm}9.19\;s$; MO: $19.23{\pm}4.64\;s$; BE: $96.14{\pm}15.71\;s$). Furthermore, females perform more affinitive interaction (AI: $7.89{\pm}4.81\;s$) but less ano-genital sniffing (AS: $0.24{\pm}0.13\;s$) and agonistic behaviour (CI: $0.57{\pm}0.26\;s$) than males (AI: $1.45{\pm}1.09\;s$; AS: $0.45{\pm}0.29\;s$; CI: $1.42{\pm}0.67\;s$). The females expressed ingestion more in October ($132.31{\pm}27.47\;s$) than in August ($28.80{\pm}18.44\;s$) and September ($45.1{\pm}10.84\;s$), and the males performed Ano-genital sniffing (AS: $1.79{\pm}1.14\;s$) and self-directed behaviour (SD: $12.61{\pm}5.03\;s$) significantly more in October than in August (AS: 0 s; SD: $0.62{\pm}0.17\;s$) and September (AS: $0.02{\pm}0.01\;s$; SD: $0.17{\pm}0.15\;s$). Moreover, male musk deer increased the intension of ano-genital sniffing, agonistic behaviour and tail rubbing behaviour, which were related to sexual activities.

A Tracking Service of Animal Situation using RFID, GPS, and Sensor (RFID, GPS 및 센서를 이용한 동물 상태 추적 서비스)

  • Kim, So-Hyeun;Kim, Do-Hyeun;Park, Hee-Dong
    • The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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    • v.9 no.5
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    • pp.79-84
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    • 2009
  • Recently, many researches are being carried out on monitoring animal behaviour and interactions with the environment using sensor networks and for tracing animal chain management and identifying animals using RFID techniques. And we are studying about the management and burglarproof of a pet using GPS technique. But there is a lack of study for providing users intelligence services in zoo using GPS, RFID, and sensor networks. Accordingly, in this paper, we propose a intelligence tracking service of animal situation based on GPS, RFID, and sensor in zoo. Firstly, we present a tracking service scenario of animal situation and system configuration according to this scenario. The proposed service provides users realtime animal situation information of animal like the present location, temperature, image, etc. In addition, we can chase the animals to know a location and situation of animal when the animals escapes from their cages. Next, we implement and test prototype operations of animal tracking system based on this scenario to verify the proposed service.

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Coping with large litters: management effects on welfare and nursing capacity of the sow

  • Peltoniemi, Olli;Han, Taehee;Yun, Jinhyeon
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.63 no.2
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    • pp.199-210
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    • 2021
  • A number of management issues can be used as drivers for change in order to improve animal welfare and nursing capacity of the hyperprolific sow. Group housing of sows during gestation is a recommended practice from the perspective of animal welfare. Related health issues include reproductive health and the locomotor system. It appears that management of pregnant sows in groups is challenging for a producer and considerable skill is required. We explored the benefits and challenges of group housing, including feeding issues. Increasing litter size requires additional attention to the mammary gland and its ability to provide sufficient nursing for the growing litter. We discuss the fundamentals of mammary development and the specific challenges related to the hyperprolific sow. We also address challenges with the farrowing environment. It appears that the old-fashioned farrowing crate is not only outdated in terms of welfare from the public's perspective, but also fails to provide the environment that the sow needs to support her physiology of farrowing, nursing, and maternal behaviour. Studies from our group and others indicate that providing the sow with a loose housing system adequate in space and nesting material, along with reasonable chance for isolation, can be considered as fundamental for successful farrowing of the hyperprolific sow. It has also been shown that management strategies, such as split suckling and cross fostering, are necessary to ensure proper colostrum intake for all piglets born alive in a large litter. We thus conclude that welfare and nursing capacity of the sow can be improved by management. However, current megatrends such as the climate change may change sow management and force the industry to rethink goals of breeding and, for instance, breeding for better resilience may need to be included as goals for the future.

Further Evidence for the Role of Cantharidin in the Mating Behaviour of Blister Beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

  • Nikbakhtzadeh, Mahmood Reza;Hemp, Claudia;Ebrahimi, Babak
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.141-146
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    • 2007
  • Cantharidin is produced by blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) and smaller oedemerid beetles (Coleopetra: Oedemeridae) and is found in hemolymph and various tissues. The function of cantharidin in the courtship behaviour of meloids had never been fully established. Our studies show a correlation between density of cuticular pores and cantharidin titre of the scape and pedicel segments of male specimens of the East African species of Epicauta nyassensis (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880) (Coleoptera: Meloidae). Light microscopy of semi-thin cross sections of the male scape and pedicel indicates that there are many canal shaped structures that stretch from the antennal hemolymph to the antennomere surface. These structures may be tubules, which transport cantharidin circulating in the hemolymph to the surface, where the compound can be released via cuticular pore openings. Analyses of the head capsule and antennal segments of E. nyassensis females which had been copulated with males revealed low titre of cantharidin in the first two antennal segments. The density of the scape and pedicel pores of females was to some extent higher than the density of these pores on flagellum; however it was considerably lower than that of the males. Interestingly, no tubular cell or other transport structures were found in the cross sectioning of the female antennomeres or on the integument surface. During mating, male antennomeres, as well as cantharidin containing pores which are located on the $1^{st}\;and\;2^{nd}$ antennomeres, come into direct contact with the female antennae and may release cantharidin to their surface. Female E. nyassensis may be able to discriminate the opposite sex with abundant reserves of cantharidin prior to mating. This is another evidence that cantharidin function in close range sexual selection.

Effect of CIMT on the Functional Improvement and BDNF Expression in Hemiplegic Rats Whose Somatomotor Area was Removed (체성운동영역이 제거된 편마비 흰쥐에서 억제 유도치료가 기능향상과 BDNF 발현에 미치는 효과)

  • Lim, Chang-Hun;Hwang, Bo-Gak
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.8 no.9
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    • pp.194-203
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    • 2008
  • CIMT(Constraint Induced Movement Therapy) is to improve the function and use of damaged upper limbs by not only confinement of unaffected limbs' exercise but also inducement of affected limbs' one. The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of CIMT by means of motor behaviour test and immunohistochemistry, using animal models. This study was analyzed using 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats as the experimental groups and 40 ones as the control groups. The rats were divided into two random groups : one group as an experimental group which was operated on under anesthesia and removed somatomotor regions with CIMT and the other as the control group without CIMT.Postural Reflex Test, Beam Walking Test, Limb Placement Test and Immunohistochemistry were run on the day 1, 3 , 7 and day 14 following surgery to each 10 rat. As a result, this study demonstrates that CIMT might be an effect method to verify the plasticity of central nervous system as motor behaviour test made all high scores (p<.05) and BDNF was high too in experimental groups.

Effects of Housing Systems on Behaviour, Performance and Welfare of Fast-growing Broilers

  • Zhao, Zi-Guang;Li, Jian-Hong;Li, Xiang;Bao, Jun
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.140-146
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    • 2014
  • This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of different housing systems on behavioral activities, welfare and meat quality of fast-growing broilers. Two hundred broilers were allocated into two housing systems: indoor housing vs indoor with outdoor access. Their general behavior (feeding, drinking, fighting, standing, lying, walking, investigating, dust-bathing and preening) was observed, and tonic immobility, fluctuating asymmetry of legs and wings were measured, and meat quality was analyzed. The results showed that the indoor-housed broilers with outdoor access had significant higher standing, walking, investigating, dust-bathing and preening than those indoor only. However, farming system was not found to significantly affect their feeding, drinking and fighting activities (p>0.05). The value of FA of tibia length of the broilers with outdoor access was significantly lower than that of the indoor-housed birds ($1.57{\pm}1.30$ vs $2.76{\pm}1.40$, p<0.05), while no difference was found for the value of FA in tibia diameter and wing length (p>0.05). TI of the broilers with outdoor access was 165.5 that was significantly higher than that (147.2) of the indoor birds (p<0.05). However, death rate in the outdoor run groups was significantly higher than that of the indoor ones ($2.0{\pm}0.81$ vs $4.0{\pm}0.82$, p<0.05). Meat quality was not affected by the two farming systems. It can be concluded that the results of this study may suggest that the indoor housing with outdoor access provides enriched environment for broilers and facilitates the expression of natural behaviors of the broilers but resulted in poorer performance and higher death rate.

Farm to abattoir conditions, animal factors and their subsequent effects on cattle behavioural responses and beef quality - A review

  • Njisane, Yonela Zifikile;Muchenje, Voster
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.6
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    • pp.755-764
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    • 2017
  • The current review seeks to highlight the concerns that have been raised on pre-slaughter stress, contributing factors and its consequent effects on cattle behavioural responses and the quality of beef; inter-linking the activities involved from birth to slaughter. Such information is crucial in light of the consumer concerns on overall animal welfare, quality of meat and food security. Slaughter animals are exposed to different conditions during production and transportation to abattoirs on a daily basis. However; the majority of studies that have been done previously singled out different environments in the meat production chain, while conclusions have been made that the welfare of slaughter animals and the quality of meat harvested from them is dependent on the whole chain. Behaviour is a critical component used to evaluate the animals' wellbeing and it has been reported to have an effect on product quality. Apart from the influence of on-farm, transportation and abattoir conditions, the genetic background of the animal also affects how it perceives and responds to certain encounters. Stress activates the animals' hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, triggering release of various stress hormones such as catecholamines and cortisol, thus glycogen depletion prior slaughter, elevated ultimate pH and poor muscle-meat conversion. Pre-slaughter stress sometimes results to cattle attaining bruises, resulting to the affected parts of the carcass being trimmed and condemned for human consumption, downgrading of the carcass and thus profit losses.