1,721,113 research outputs found
The first protocol for assessing the welfare of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) kept under nomadic pastoralism
Full text linkThere is no protocol to measure the welfare level of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarious) kept under pastoralism-the predominant husbandry system of this species. This study therefore aimed to develop and describe a protocol for measuring welfare levels in dromedary camels kept under nomadic pastoralist conditions-. The indicators for each welfare principle (i.e., Good Feeding, Good Housing, Good Health, and Appropriate Behavior) were tailored to the specific conditions of camel pastoralism, drawing from the currently available protocol for assessing welfare in dromedary camels kept in intensive and semi-intensive systems. This adaptation was achieved using a structured literature search and Expert Knowledge Elicitation (EKE). The developed protocol, covering animal-, resource-, and management-based indicators, comprises two assessment levels: 'Caretaker-Herd level' and 'Animal level'. The Caretaker-Herd level is a face-to-face interview of about 10 min including 16 questions, spit into the four welfare principles, and a visual observation of applied animal handling practices. The 'Animal level' encompasses a behavioral observation and a visual clinical inspection of randomly selected individual dromedary camels, about 5 min/camel. The 'Animal level' includes 27 welfare indicators displayed for each welfare principle. The present study also includes the score for each indicator, the model for aggregating indicators' scores into compound indices for each welfare principle (PAI), and how to classify the herds based on the PAIs or to produce an overall welfare index for each herd. Even if the proposed protocol needs to be applied, refined, and validated, it is a first step toward a standardized method to collect data related to dromedary camel welfare kept under pastoralism. This framework may ultimately guide herd managers, animal health practitioners, experienced advisers, and lawmakers in fostering optimal conditions and proposing welfare standards for dromedary camels in pastoralist settings
Interactive classroom: from motoneuron activity to skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation
Full text linkActive learning and practices are strongly encouraged or made mandatory by local, national, and European organizations. Therefore, we set up an interactive practical classroom, engaging all of the attending students of the year (n = 47). Each student was assigned a physiological role (marked on a cardboard sign) in the following events: stimulation on motoneuron dendrites, sodium ions (Na+) influx and potassium ions (K+) efflux, action potentials onset and saltatory conduction along the axon, acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter exocytosis following Ca2+ influx, ACh binding to postsynaptic membrane receptors, ACh-esterase action, excitatory postsynaptic potential, release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, mechanism of muscular contraction and relaxation, and rigor mortis. A sketch was drawn with colored chalks on the ground outside the room: the motoneuron with its dendrites, cell body, initial segment, myelinated axon, and synaptic bouton; the postsynaptic plasma membrane of the muscle fiber; and the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Students each had their own role and were asked to position themselves and move, accordingly. This resulted in a complete, dynamic, and fluid representation being performed. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the students' learning was limited at this pilot stage. However, positive feedback was received in the self-evaluation reports that were written by students on the physiological meaning of their own role, as well as in the satisfaction questionnaires requested by the University. The rate of students who successfully passed the written exam and the rate of correct answers that included the specific topics addressed in this practice were reported.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We set up an interactive practical classroom, engaging all the attending students of the year (n = 47). Each student was assigned a physiological role marked on a cardboard sign, starting from motoneuron stimulation up to skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation. Students were asked to actively reproduce physiological events, positioning themselves and moving around and onto drawings on the ground (motoneuron, synapsis, sarcoplasmic reticulum, etc.). Finally, a complete, dynamic, and fluid representation was performed
Maternal supplementation with fish oil improves insulin sensitivity and up-regulates PPARγ gene expression in the liver of post-weaned rabbits
No full textCamel welfare: survey on camel caretakers' perspectives
Full text linkAnimal welfare depends on caretakers' handling and management skills. The study aimed at gaining information on camel caretakers' backgrounds, their perceptions of welfare and management practices and at investigating associations with camel health and behavioural problems. The study was conducted at a camel market in Qatar and 49 caretakers were interviewed (29 questions). Caretakers were male, mainly from Sudan (91.7%; P<0.001), and had mainly learned camel management from family members (81.6%; P<0.001). Camels were mainly from Qatar, reared for milk, breeding or meat. The majority of the caretakers under 30 years took care of camels reared as breeding animals or for milk production (n=12, 75.0%), while the caretakers over 40 years took care of camels for dual-purposes (n=7, 46.7%; P<0.05) or meat (n=4, 26.7%). Camels received rationed feed and water (87.6%, 53.1%, P<0.001), and were dewormed regularly (96.8%, P<0.001) but not vaccinated (72.9%; P<0.001). Respondents experienced at least one camel with a behavioural (45.8%) and a health (87.8%) problem and associations between management practices and those problems were found. Behavioural problems were associated with the number of health problems, suggesting that sick camels tended to show behavioural modifications. Caretakers ranked their ability to recognise a camel in distress/pain as high, reporting that the first sign was a change in behaviour. The caretakers' understanding of animal welfare was, however, low, missing the overall meaning of the concept; most caretakers defined animal welfare according to only one (52.2%) welfare principle. Overall, early and appropriate treatment of camels with health and behavioural problems, an increased presence of veterinarians at camel farms, and education on camel behaviour and welfare are recommended
Camel welfare: survey on camel caretakers' perspectives
Full text linkAnimal welfare depends on caretakers’ handling and management skills. The study aimed at gaining
information on camel caretakers’ backgrounds, their perceptions of welfare and management practices and at
investigating associations with camel health and behavioural problems. The study was conducted at a camel
market in Qatar and 49 caretakers were interviewed (29 questions). Caretakers were male, mainly from Sudan
(91.7%; P<0.001), and had mainly learned camel management from family members (81.6%; P<0.001).
Camels were mainly from Qatar, reared for milk, breeding or meat. The majority of the caretakers under 30
years took care of camels reared as breeding animals or for milk production (n=12, 75.0%), while the caretakers
over 40 years took care of camels for dual-purposes (n=7, 46.7%; P<0.05) or meat (n=4, 26.7%). Camels
received rationed feed and water (87.6%, 53.1%, P<0.001), and were dewormed regularly (96.8%, P<0.001)
but not vaccinated (72.9%; P<0.001). Respondents experienced at least one camel with a behavioural (45.8%)
and a health (87.8%) problem and associations between management practices and those problems were found.
Behavioural problems were associated with the number of health problems, suggesting that sick camels tended
to show behavioural modifications. Caretakers ranked their ability to recognise a camel in distress/pain as high,
reporting that the first sign was a change in behaviour. The caretakers’ understanding of animal welfare was,
however, low, missing the overall meaning of the concept; most caretakers defined animal welfare according
to only one (52.2%) welfare principle. Overall, early and appropriate treatment of camels with health and
behavioural problems, an increased presence of veterinarians at camel farms, and education on camel
behaviour and welfare are recommended.Animal welfare depends on caretakers' handling and management skills. The study aimed at gaining information on camel caretakers' backgrounds, their perceptions of welfare and management practices and at investigating associations with camel health and behavioural problems. The study was conducted at a camel market in Qatar and 49 caretakers were interviewed (29 questions). Caretakers were male, mainly from Sudan (91.7%; P<0.001), and had mainly learned camel management from family members (81.6%; P<0.001). Camels were mainly from Qatar, reared for milk, breeding or meat. The majority of the caretakers under 30 years took care of camels reared as breeding animals or for milk production (n=12, 75.0%), while the caretakers over 40 years took care of camels for dual-purposes (n=7, 46.7%; P<0.05) or meat (n=4, 26.7%). Camels received rationed feed and water (87.6%, 53.1%, P<0.001), and were dewormed regularly (96.8%, P<0.001) but not vaccinated (72.9%; P<0.001). Respondents experienced at least one camel with a behavioural (45.8%) and a health (87.8%) problem and associations between management practices and those problems were found. Behavioural problems were associated with the number of health problems, suggesting that sick camels tended to show behavioural modifications. Caretakers ranked their ability to recognise a camel in distress/pain as high, reporting that the first sign was a change in behaviour. The caretakers' understanding of animal welfare was, however, low, missing the overall meaning of the concept; most caretakers defined animal welfare according to only one (52.2%) welfare principle. Overall, early and appropriate treatment of camels with health and behavioural problems, an increased presence of veterinarians at camel farms, and education on camel behaviour and welfare are recommended
Editorial: Camelid farming, production, reproduction, health, and welfare
Full text linkEditorial on the Research Topic Camelid farming, production, reproduction, health, and welfar
E-cadherin, N-cadherin expression and histologic characterization of canine choroid plexus tumors
No full textChoroid plexus tumors (CPTs) are reported with an increasing incidence in dogs, and they call for a reexamination of histologic features and criteria of classification corresponding to their biological behavior. In this study, the human World Health Organization classification was applied to 16 canine CPTs, and the expression of molecules involved in neoplastic cell adhesion (E-cadherin, N-cadherin), invasion (doublecortin), and proliferation (Ki-67) was investigated. Mitotic index was found to be the main criterion for grading CPTs. Cell density and multilayering of papillae were also statistically associated with histologic grade. Intraventricular spread and parenchymal invasion was observed for tumors showing histologic benign features. E-cadherin was expressed in all CPT grades, independent of tumor invasion. N-cadherin immunolabeling was more expressed in grade I than high-grade CPTs, whereas doublecortin expression was not detected in CPTs. An increasing proliferative activity was observed in relation with histologic grade
The Link between the Perception of Animal Welfare and the Emotional Response to Pictures of Farm Animals Kept in Intensive and Extensive Husbandry Systems: An Italian Survey
Full text linkAs livestock production grows to satisfy the global demand for animal products, understanding public attitudes towards different husbandry systems becomes essential for both animal welfare and socio-economic reasons. This study aimed to investigate people’s emotional responses toward pictures of farm animals kept in intensive and extensive husbandry systems, their perception of animal welfare, and their choices as animal product consumers. A questionnaire that included demographic questions and photos of cows, pigs, chickens, and rabbits in both intensive and extensive systems was distributed electronically and physically and completed by 835 respondents. Photos of animals in intensive systems elicited more negative emotions, especially for pigs and rabbits (p p p p p p < 0.001). Finally, the emotional response was found to be affected by gender, education, household composition, living area, pet ownership, and eating habits. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed
Comparison of nonlinear growth models and factors affecting body weight at different ages in Toy Poodles
Full text linkLimited information is available to evaluate optimal growth in Toy Poodles. This work aimed at comparing three growth curves, proposing centile charts and developing a model to estimate the adult body weight (BW) in Toy Poodles. A total of 65 puppies (male = 30, female = 35) born in the same breeding centre were used. BW at birth and, weekly BW, for 53 weeks, BW of parents, litter size, type of management, daily activity and neutering were recorded. Forty-six puppies were sold, and their data were reported by the new owners. Three growth curves (i.e. Hawthorne, Brody and Gompertz) were constructed and compared; Linear Mixed Models including demographic characteristics and management habits were built. The BW at birth was 154 ± 35 g and adult BW was 3208 ± 860 g. Based on the goodness-of-fit and accuracy indices, Gompertz was the best growth model and was selected to plot centile curves based on sex. Toy Poodles achieved 50% of their adult weight at 11–12 weeks, with an overall growth rate of 11.8%. Adult BW was affected by birth BW (p < .01), sex (p < .05) and mother’s BW (p < .01) and their effects varied depending on the age. Extrinsic factors, including litter size, type of management and daily activity were less significant, probably due to the standardised and high-level management of these Toy Poodles. These new and applicable tools for monitoring the growth and predicting adult BW could be useful for veterinarians, breeders and owners for early diagnosis of poor health and welfare. Subject classification codes: companion animals sectionsHighlights Performance of three logistic models for describing the growth curve in Italian Toy Poodles were compared Based on the goodness of fit and accuracy indices, Gompertz was the best growth model The centile growth curves were constructed for males and females using the Gompertz Adult body weight (BW) was mainly affected by the sex and birth BW, and less by BW of the parents and litter size Monitoring BW of puppies may be useful to enhance their health and welfar
Application of a Protocol to Assess Camel Welfare: Scoring System of Collected Measures, Aggregated Assessment Indices, and Criteria to Classify a Pen
Full text linkThis study aimed to apply a protocol for assessing camel welfare, to develop a scoring system for the welfare measures, to produce overall assessment indices, and to classify the animal units (i.e., pens) according to their welfare level. A total of 105 measures were collected at Herd level from 76 pens at a market in Qatar. The pens held 528 camels, 132 of which were evaluated at a deeper level (i.e., Animal level). Out of the 105 measures, 71 were selected, scored, and aggregated to reach a Total Welfare Index (TWI) for each pen. The TWI ranged from 46.2 to 69.8. The Good Feeding index, including measures related to prolonged thirst and prolonged hunger, was the most critical (p < 0.001), while the Good Health index, including measures related to the absence of injuries, disease and pain, was the less problematic (p < 0.001). However, most of the pens were classified as “unsatisfactory” (61.8%) and none as “excellent”. Body Condition Score (BCS), Thirst Index, disease and physical injuries, presence of a shelter, and cleanliness of bedding were the measures which influenced the pens’ classification the most (p < 0.05). The proposed model seems useful in the identification of camel welfare issues. Further applications, as well as the involvement of many scientists and stakeholders, are needed to refine and validate the protocol and its indices
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