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Circadian variation in ghrelin and certain stress hormones in crib-biting horses.
Abstract: Crib-biting is classified as an oral stereotypy, which may be initiated by stress susceptibility, management factors, genetic factors and gastrointestinal irritation. Ghrelin has been identified in the gastric mucosa and is involved in the control of food intake and reward, but its relationship to crib-biting is not yet known. The aim of this study was to examine the concentration and circadian variation of plasma ghrelin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin in crib-biting horses and non-crib-biting controls. Plasma samples were collected every second hour for 24h in the daily environment of eight horses with stereotypic crib-biting and eight non-crib-biting controls. The crib-biting horses had significantly higher mean plasma ghrelin concentrations than the control horses. The circadian rhythm of cortisol was evident, indicating that the sampling protocol did not inhibit the circadian regulation in these horses. Crib-biting had no statistically significant effect on cortisol, ACTH or β-endorphin concentrations. The inter-individual variations in β-endorphin and ACTH were higher than the intra-individual differences, which made inter-individual comparisons difficult and complicated the interpretation of results. Further research is therefore needed to determine the relationship between crib-biting and ghrelin concentration.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-10-29 PubMed ID: 22040804DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.027Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study investigates the possible link between the stress-related behavior of crib-biting in horses and levels of ghrelin and other stress hormones in their system within a 24-hour period. The research found elevated levels of ghrelin in crib-biting horses, however, the study did not establish a significant impact of crib-biting on cortisol, ACTH, or β-endorphin concentrations.
Understanding Crib-biting and its Possible Triggers
- Crib-biting is a stress-related behavior, considered an oral stereotypy, observed in horses. It can be triggered by various factors including susceptibility to stress, certain management practices, genetic predispositions, and gastrointestinal irritations.
- The research sought to explore the potential link between this behavior and the hormone ghrelin, known to be related to food intake and reward systems, but its relationship to crib-biting had not been investigated.
Exploring Hormone Levels in Crib-biting and Non-crib-biting Horses
- Researchers looked into the concentrations and circadian variations of plasma ghrelin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and β-endorphin in both crib-biting horses and those not exhibiting the behavior.
- Plasma samples were collected from each horse every two hours over a span of 24 hours.
- The findings showed that horses that crib-bite had significantly higher average plasma ghrelin concentrations compared to the control horses that did not exhibit the behavior.
Understanding Hormone Circadian Variation
- The study indicated that the circadian rhythm of cortisol was present, suggesting that the sampling protocol used in the study did not disrupt this hormonal cycle in the horses.
- However, no significant effect of crib-biting was found on cortisol, ACTH, or β-endorphin concentrations.
- This lack of significant impact may be due to higher inter-individual variations in β-endorphin and ACTH, making comparisons between individuals difficult and results interpretation complicated.
Need for Further Research
- The research concluded that more studies are required to establish the relationship between crib-biting and ghrelin concentration.
- This further investigation is necessary due to the complexity of inter-individual hormone variations and the implications these variations may have on understanding stress-related behavior such as crib-biting in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Hemmann K, Raekallio M, Kanerva K, Hänninen L, Pastell M, Palviainen M, Vainio O.
(2011).
Circadian variation in ghrelin and certain stress hormones in crib-biting horses.
Vet J, 193(1), 97-102.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.027 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Koetilantie 7, P.O. Box 57, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. karin.hemmann@helsinki.fi
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Circadian Rhythm
- Female
- Ghrelin / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Male
- Pro-Opiomelanocortin / blood
- Stereotyped Behavior
- Stress, Physiological
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Manu H, Lee S, Keyes MC, Cairns J, Baidoo SK. Behavioral and stress responses to feeding time in pregnant sows under limit-fed regime. J Anim Sci 2021 May 1;99(5).
- Manu H, Lee S, Keyes MC, Cairns J, Baidoo SK. Behavioral and cortisol responses to feeding frequency in pregnant sows under isocaloric intake. J Anim Sci 2020 Aug 1;98(8).
- Pakkanen SAE, de Vries A, Raekallio MR, Mykkänen AK, Palviainen MJ, Sankari SM, Vainio OM. Changes in energy metabolism, and levels of stress-related hormones and electrolytes in horses after intravenous administration of romifidine and the peripheral α-2 adrenoceptor antagonist vatinoxan. Acta Vet Scand 2018 May 9;60(1):27.
- Yousufzai MIUA, Harmatz ES, Shah M, Malik MO, Goosens KA. Ghrelin is a persistent biomarker for chronic stress exposure in adolescent rats and humans. Transl Psychiatry 2018 Apr 11;8(1):74.
- Aubè L, Fatnassi M, Monaco D, Khorchani T, Lacalandra GM, Hammadi M, Padalino B. Daily rhythms of behavioral and hormonal patterns in male dromedary camels housed in boxes. PeerJ 2017;5:e3074.
- Fureix C, Benhajali H, Henry S, Bruchet A, Prunier A, Ezzaouia M, Coste C, Hausberger M, Palme R, Jego P. Plasma cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites concentrations in stereotypic and non-stereotypic horses: do stereotypic horses cope better with poor environmental conditions?. BMC Vet Res 2013 Jan 7;9:3.
- Hausberger M, Fureix C, Bourjade M, Wessel-Robert S, Richard-Yris MA. On the significance of adult play: what does social play tell us about adult horse welfare?. Naturwissenschaften 2012 Apr;99(4):291-302.
- Hildebrand WH, Zaleśny G. Do stereotypies help or harm? Exploring the link between cortisol level and abnormal behaviours in animals: a review. Front Zool 2025 Aug 13;22(1):20.
- Salcido AA, Reyes NF, Macias AY, Batson SA, Beck DW, Friedman A, Goosens KA. An Emerging Role for Gut-Brain Signaling Involving Ghrelin in Chronic Stress. Adv Exp Med Biol 2025;1477:205-227.
- Bazzano M, Marchegiani A, La Gualana F, Petriti B, Petrucelli M, Accorroni L, Laus F. Competition and stereotypic behavior in Thoroughbred horses: The value of saliva as a diagnostic marker of stress. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311697.
- Lushchak O, Orru M, Strilbytska O, Berezovskyi V, Cherkas A, Storey KB, Bayliak M. Metabolic and immune dysfunctions in post-traumatic stress disorder: what can we learn from animal models?. EXCLI J 2023;22:928-945.
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