bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonate rats demonstrate high levels of retention for odour preference when a substantially reduced training trial of two minutes is used
Authors: Ogeil RP , Edwards TM 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNeonate rats have played an important and unique role within the memory literature. Specifically, they are relatively naïve to experience, can be trained in an ethologically-valid way, using a single trial, which is not aversive and can demonstrate retention for at least 24 h, post-training. As such, they have provided salient insights into the biological mechanisms underlying the memory trace and brain development. The task of choice for rat pups is one using odour preference requiring the removal of each pup from the nest/dam for a ten-minute training trial. For such young animals this may reasonably lead to undue stress and the potential of subsequent rejection by the dam. Little research has considered whether the training duration could be substantially shortened to provide significant animal welfare benefits while maintaining, if not improving, task efficacy. This issue was addressed in the current paper using six-day old Wistar rats (n = 175) exposed to a single-trial, odour-preference task using either a standard ten-minute training trial or a shorter two-minute training trial. Exposing rat pups to the training odour for two minutes did not compromise the level of discrimination observed at test 24 h later. This finding suggests that significantly shorter training trials can be used without compromising retention levels at test. This not only has obvious welfare benefits, but may reasonably be considered to reduce pups’ stress levels which are known to alter both the strength and timing of the memory trace.
Overall assessment of animal welfare: strategy adopted in Welfare Quality®
Authors: Botreau R , Veissier I , Perny P 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAnimal welfare is multidimensional; its assessment relies on complementary measures covering all dimensions. Welfare Quality® constructed a multicriteria evaluation model for its assessment at unit level (farms, slaughterhouses). Four welfare principles are distinguished (‘Good feeding’, ‘Good housing’, ‘Good health’, and ‘Appropriate behaviour’). An animal unit receives four principle scores (expressed on a 0-100 value scale). These scores are aggregated together to form the overall assessment by sorting animal units into predefined welfare categories boundaried by reference profiles. A unit is assigned to the welfare category above the profile it is considered at least as good as. Several assignment procedures were tested on a set of 69 dairy farms and compared with observers’ general impressions. The welfare categories, reference profiles and assignment procedure were defined in consultation with social scientists, animal scientists and stakeholders. Four welfare categories were defined: ‘Excellent’, ‘Enhanced’, ‘Acceptable’, and ‘Not classified’. The reference profiles were set at 80, 55 and 20, corresponding to aspiration values for Excellent, Enhanced and Acceptable. The assignment procedure resulted from a compromise between theoretical opinion on what should be considered excellent, enhanced or acceptable, and what can realistically be achieved in practice: to be assigned to a given category, a unit must reach its aspiration value on 2 or 3 of the 4 principles, and not score below the aspiration value for the next lowest category on the other principle(s). The model can be used for several purposes, including identifying welfare problems on a farm to advise farmers, or checking compliance with certification schemes.
Belgian consumers’ attitude towards surgical castration and immunocastration of piglets
Authors: Vanhonacker F , Verbeke W , Tuyttens FAM 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn the vast majority of European countries, piglets are surgically castrated in order to eliminate the risk of boar taint, an odour or flavour that can be present when pork from entire males is cooked. However, surgical castration is the subject of much debate and criticism as a result of its negative implications for piglets’ welfare, integrity and health. At present, there is much ongoing research into potential alternatives, among them immunocastration. This practice involves the injection of a vaccine that inhibits the production of the hormones responsible for boar taint. Although satisfactory results are associated with immunocastration in terms of meat quality and production parameters, uncertainty concerning consumer acceptance is often put forward as a key element in the quest for a successful market introduction. This study focuses on consumer awareness of piglet castration and attitudes towards immunocastration by means of a web-based questionnaire among 225 Flemish consumers. We noted approximately 40% awareness of the routine practice of castrating piglets and this limited awareness is accompanied by a moderate level of concern regarding castration, especially in comparison to food safety and other pork production system-related animal welfare issues. Sixty percent of the sample had a general appreciation for the concept of immunocastration, as opposed to surgical castration. Informing consumers about the potential benefits and/or risks from immunocastration did not tend to have much effect in terms of altering their attitudes. Immunocastration did not emerge as a problem in terms of consumer acceptance: special attention should be paid to consumers’ perception of pricing, food safety and the taste of the meat from immunocastrated pigs.
Cow gait scores and kinematic gait data: can people see gait irregularities?
Authors: Van Nuffel A , Sprenger M , Tuyttens FAM , Maertens W 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIncreasing lameness problems associated with intensified dairy cattle production has lead to the development of several techniques to automatically detect these problems. Comparisons of these new measuring techniques of cow locomotion with the conventional subjective observer scoring are scarce. In order to better understand human observers’ gait scoring, cows walking on a pressure-sensitive mat were evaluated for kinematic gait variables and a visual assessment of gait was also made via video recording. Forty of these videos were used for subjective gait scoring on a 3-point scale, and the observers were also asked to report any observed abnormalities (lameness indicators) that had influenced their scoring. Relationships between reported lameness indicators and subjective gait scores, between subjective gait scores and measured kinematic variables of cow locomotion and between reported lameness indicators and measured kinematic variables of cow locomotion were investigated. In general, observers based their gait score on reported indicators such as ‘tenderness’, ‘arched back’, ‘irregular gait’ and ‘increased abduction’. All of these four reported lameness indicators were correlated with measured kinematic ‘variables of asymmetry’, ‘stance time’ or both, suggesting that human observers are capable of detecting changes within these lameness indicators as measured by the pressure-sensitive mat. ‘Increased abduction’ appeared harder to detect and was reported more frequently by observers already experienced with gait scoring. Also, the measured kinematic variables of ‘stance time’ and ‘measures of asymmetry between left and right limbs’ as measured by the pressure-sensitive mat, show potential in predicting the gait score given. These reported lameness indicators and measured kinematic variables —mutually correlated and both related to the gait scores — were considered promising for subjective gait scoring in general.
Genetic opportunities for pork production without castration
Authors: Merks JWM , Hanenberg EHAT , Bloemhof S , Knol EF 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn most parts of the world, male pigs are castrated shortly after birth to prevent the production of meat with an unpleasant odour called ‘boar taint’. However, public concerns regarding surgical castration are on the increase and it is becoming an important animal welfare issue due to the pain associated with the process. In addition, pork production from entire males is more desirable as it is 5-12% more efficient than that from castrates. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate genetic opportunities to stop castration and produce boar-taint-free pork from entire males as a long-term cost-effective solution to the problem. The main compounds responsible for boar taint are androstenone and skatole. The genetic aspects of these two main boar-taint components were investigated in purebred pigs of a commercial sire line as well as crossbreds of three sire lines. The comparison of crossbreds suggests that significant genetic differences can be expected in the market hogs due to different sire line choices. Heritabilities for the three components ranged from 0.25 to 0.64. Their genetic correlations with production traits were close to zero or favourable. Model calculations using these parameters suggest that it is possible to reduce the concentrations of the main boar-taint components below thresholds for boar taint. This way, pork can be produced from males without castration and problems of boar taint can be eliminated in approximately four generations of genetic selection.
The use of a hand-held algometer as a method to measure mechanical nociceptive thresholds in sheep
Authors: Stubsj⊘en SM , Valle PS , Zanella AJ 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the use of a hand-held algometer for the measurement of mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) in sheep (Ovis aries). Twelve ewes were tested over three consecutive days by two operators, and MNTs were measured over six predetermined sites on both forelimbs every five minutes for 30 min. The effects of test period, measurement number within test period and different anatomical points on MNT levels were investigated, in addition to establishing baseline MNT levels for the sheeps’ forelimbs. A significant decrease of MNT values was observed over the three consecutive test days and within each test period. The anatomical points located closest to the carpus and fetlock joints had significantly higher MNT values compared to the anatomical points located over the middle part of the metacarpus, possibly due to the protective function of the distal part of the extensor retinaculum and the dorsal pouch of the fetlock joint capsules. There was no difference in MNT values between the right and left foreleg. There was a tendency for a flattening out of the drop in MNT towards the last measurement. Hence, we suggest using the values from the last two measurements when determining normative values, and to habituate the ewes to the procedure of measuring MNT levels. Taking these factors into consideration, a hand-held algometer is a useful tool to measure MNTs in sheep.
The effects of visitor density on sika deer(Cervus nippon)behaviour in Zhu-Yu-Wan Park, China
Authors: Shen-Jin L , Todd PA , Yan Y , Lin Y , Hongmei F , Wan-Hong W 
Published: January 2023

AbstractVisitors to zoos are a source of potential stress to certain captive-housed animals. Much research has focused on Europe and America, whereas the effect of human audiences on the behaviour of captive animals in Chinese parks has so far not been investigated. Sika deer(Cervus nippon)housed in Zhu-Yu-Wan Park, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, were studied to determine the effect of different visitor density levels on the animals’ activity. From June 21 to December 10, 2006, and again from February 21 to July 10, 2007, 21 subjects were observed for 10 h per week for a total of 44 weeks. Continuous focal animal sampling was used to quantify behaviours, and visitor density was recorded every minute. Friedman's tests were used to examine the effects of visitor density on the behaviour of sika deer. Results showed that high visitor density was significantly related to foraging, resting, watching and ‘non-visible’ behaviours. The findings demonstrate that high numbers of visitors have an effect on the welfare of sika deer.
Nest provision influences reproductive success in breeding blue fox vixens: a preliminary study
Authors: Pyykönen T , Ahola L , Hänninen S , Mononen J 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an unfamiliar nest and environmental enrichment, ie provision of an additional nest, on farmed blue fox (Alopex lagopus) vixens’ reproductive performance. Two experimental groups were evaluated in the study: i) a single nest (SN) group where vixens had an unfamiliar top nest only, and ii) a group with two nests (TN), an unfamiliar top nest and a familiar floor nest. Since reproductive performance is typically lower in young blue fox vixens, half of the experimental animals consisted of primiparous vixens, to examine whether an unfamiliar and an additional nest affected primiparous and multiparous vixens’ reproduction differently. No significant differences were found in reproductive performance between the experimental groups or between the primiparous and the multiparous vixens with the number of weaned cubs per inseminated vixen 4.8 (± 4.0) and 4.9 (± 4.5) for the primiparous and 5.6 (± 4.9) and 5.5 (± 4.6) for the multiparous vixens in SN and TN groups, respectively. In the multiparous vixens, the cub losses were higher in SN than in TN groups. The higher cub loss in the SN group may have been due to the lack of a familiar nest. In the TN group, where vixens had the opportunity to choose between two nest types, the majority (86%) of the primiparous vixens whelped in the floor nest, whereas the majority (73%) of the multiparous vixens favoured the unfamiliar top nest for whelping. Both nests were used by 43% of all TN vixens, a finding that indicates that an additional nest may have an enrichment value for blue fox vixens. The potential welfare consequences of providing blue fox vixens with an additional nest box should be investigated in future studies.
The conservation-welfare nexus in reintroduction programmes: a role for sensory ecology
Authors: Swaisgood RR 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSince reintroduction programmes involve moving animals from captive or wild environments and releasing them into novel environments, there are sure to be a number of challenges to the welfare of the individuals involved. Behavioural theory can help us develop reintroductions that are better for both the welfare of the individual and the conservation of populations. In addition to modifying captive environments to prepare animals for release to the wild, it is possible to modify the animals’ experience in the post-release environment. For releases to be more successful, they need to better accommodate the ecological and psychological needs of individuals. A better understanding of sensory ecology — how animals acquire and respond to information in their environment — is needed to develop new, more successful management strategies for reintroductions. Sensory ecology integrates ecological and psychological processes, calling for better synergy among researchers with divergent backgrounds in conservation and animal welfare science. This integrative approach leads to new topics of investigation in reintroduction biology, including more careful consideration of post-release stress and the role of social support. Reintroductions are essentially exercises in ‘forced’ dispersal; thus, an especially promising avenue of research is the role of proximate mechanisms governing dispersal and habitat selection decisions. Reintroduction biologists have much to gain from the study of mechanism because mechanisms, unlike function or adaptive value, can be manipulated to enhance conservation and welfare goals.
Aquaculture and restocking: implications for conservation and welfare
Authors: Braithwaite VA , Salvanes AGV 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAs the harvesting of fish through commercial fisheries becomes both harder and less economically viable, the world is becoming increasingly dependent on aquaculture to provide fish for human consumption. The closely related activity of stock enhancement, whereby large numbers of fish are reared and then released, is a common practice aimed at increasing the numbers of fish in rivers and along coasts. Aquaculture and stock enhancement practices raise a number of welfare and conservation issues both for fish that are reared within captivity, and for the local populations and habitats that are influenced by fish-rearing activities. In this review, we illustrate how fish farms and hatcheries have directly affected fish welfare. Examples cover on-farm fish husbandry and healthcare, the interactions between farmed and wild fish, and survival of fish released for stock enhancement. These aspects are often intertwined with important conservation issues. Thus, we also review direct effects that aquaculture-generated pollution can have on local habitats, issues associated with feeding reared fish, and problems created by alien fish (either escapees or intentionally released fish). While awareness of fish welfare is certainly growing, so is the rate at which fish are reared. There is, therefore, a pressing need to understand the welfare and conservation issues that are affected by aquaculture and stock enhancement.
Haematological and biochemical responses of red foxes(Vulpes vulpes)to different capture methods and shooting
Authors: Marks CA 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper sought to determine whether common haematology and blood biochemistry values might assist in determining the relative welfare outcomes arising from the capture of red foxes(Vulpes vulpes)by treadle-snares, Victor Soft Catch® (VSC) #3 traps, cage traps, netting and sampling by shooting. Compared to all other capture methods and shooting, treadle-snared foxes had significantly higher mean albumin (ALB), creatine kinase (CK), red cell count (RCC), neutrophil to lymphocyte (N:L) ratio, sodium (Na), total protein (TP), white cell counts (WCC) and lower glucose (Gl). Treadle-snares were also associated with higher chloride (Cl), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) than cage trapping and netting. Treadle-snares produced indicators of possible muscle damage, exertion and dehydration compared to cage and VSC traps. Cage trapping and netting produced lower indications of exertion, possible muscle damage and dehydration compared to both treadle-snares and VSC traps. These data do not support previous conclusions that due to similar injury scores, treadle-snares and VSC traps produced equivalent welfare outcomes. In restraining traps, injury and death sustained during capture are end-points of poor trapping welfare. Monitoring stress using physiological indicators allows the comparison of the relative potential for different capture techniques to cause pathological and pre-pathological states. As the response of physiological indicators to stress is not independent of time, accurate data on the duration of captivity and the relative intensity of struggling behaviour should be routinely collected when assessing the comparative humaneness of different trap devices.
Consumer preferences for farm animal welfare: results from a telephone survey of US households
Authors: Prickett RW , Norwood F Bailey , Lusk JL 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAs animal industry and animal advocacy groups debate how farm animals should be treated, little research has focused on the attitudes of consumers in the United States. This study utilises results of a representative telephone survey to measure consumer attitudes towards farm animal welfare, and investigates how these attitudes vary across individuals. The survey finds that consumers desire high standards of animal care, even if it raises food prices and involves government regulation. Support is particularly strong from females, Democrats, and residents of the Northeastern United States. To provide high standards of animal care, consumers as a whole perceive allowing animals to exhibit natural behaviours and exercise outdoors to be more important than protection from other animals, shelter, socialisation, and comfortable bedding. Consumers vary in their perceptions though, and are divided into three classes: Naturalists, Price Seekers, and Basic Welfarists. Naturalists place great importance on allowing animals to exhibit natural behaviours and exercise outdoors, and comprise 46% of the sample. Price Seekers, comprising 14% of the sample, are primarily concerned with low prices. Basic Welfarists make up 40% of the respondents, and value animal welfare but perceive it can be achieved by simply providing food, water, and treatment for injury and disease. This last group perceives amenities, such as access to outdoors and ability to exhibit natural behaviours, unimportant for the well-being of farm animals.
Morphological changes in European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) released by bird trappers
Authors: Domínguez J , Vidal M , Tapia L 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn Spain, several Autonomous Communities have granted licenses to capture European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis parva) during the post-breeding period, from August to December. In Galicia (NW Spain) and other Autonomous Communities, after 5-7 months of captivity, many birds are released. We tested the hypothesis that captivity results in biometric and body condition changes which affect the post-release survival of these birds. We used two groups captured in Galicia, the first made up of birds captured for ringing and the second consisting of birds captured by bird-trappers, kept in captivity for 5-7 months and then released. Two-way ANOVA tests were used to test the effect of group and sex on the wing, bill, head, tarsus and tail measurements. Birds held in captivity had shorter wings and longer bills than those captured for ringing. The significance of these morphometric changes is unknown but it is possible that they could have a detrimental effect on foraging behaviour and post-release survival. In light of this, those involved in keeping wild birds in captivity should review their husbandry techniques.
The effect of three different items of cage furniture on the behaviour of male C57BL/6J mice in the plus-maze test
Authors: Õkva K , Nevalainen T , Mauranen K , Pokk P 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of specific regimens of enrichment on the behaviour of C57BL/6J mice in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). A total of 192 male C57BL/6J mice were allocated randomly to 32 cages. Three different items of cage furniture (CF) made of aspen — a mouse corner, nestbox and stairs — were added stepwise to different cages at intervals of one week so that the mice were exposed to an item of CF for one, two, three or four weeks. On the fifth week, all the mice were subjected to the EPM test. Overall, the presence of the nestbox or stairs for the three weeks appeared to have an anxiolytic effect on the behaviour of the mice, as evidenced by an increase in the number of entries made into the open arms and the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. The effects of these items of CF on the behaviour of the mice depended on the item used and on the duration of exposure. The items of CF that were used in this study appeared to improve the quality of life of C57BL/6J mice, as assessed using the EPM.