Comparative endocrinological responses to short transportation of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus).
Abstract: In order to evaluate the effects of short transportation on β-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol changes, 12 healthy stallions of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus) were studied before and after transportation of 50 km. Blood samples were collected 1 week before transportation in basal conditions, immediately before loading and after transportation and unloading, on their arrival at the breeding station. Compared to basal and before values, donkeys showed an increase in circulating ACTH (P < 0.001) and cortisol (P < 0.0005) levels after transportation and higher ACTH (P < 0.01) levels than horses after transportation. A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.885; P < 0.01) between ACTH and cortisol levels after transportation was found. No significant differences were observed for β-endorphin levels. Compared to basal and before values, horses showed higher cortisol (P < 0.005) levels after transportation and no significant differences were observed for ACTH and β-endorphin levels in donkeys. Horses facing forward (direction of travel) showed higher (P < 0.01) β-endorphin levels after transportation than donkeys; horses facing backward (the opposite direction of travel) showed lower (P < 0.05) ACTH levels after transportation. The results indicate that short transportation induces a preferential activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA), with significant release of ACTH and cortisol in donkeys and only of cortisol in horses, suggesting that transportation for donkeys may be more stressful than horses.
© 2012 The Authors Animal Science Journal © 2012 Japanese Society of Animal Science.
Publication Date: 2012-11-20 PubMed ID: 23480707DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2012.01065.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studied the impact of short-distance transportation on stress hormone levels in 12 healthy stallions, both horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus). The findings showed an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in donkeys post transportation, indicating that transportation is possibly more stressful for donkeys as compared to horses.
Study Design
- The researchers selected twelve healthy stallions – a mix of horses and donkeys. The subjects were examined a week prior to transportation, just before loading for travel, and post transportation on arrival at their intended destination.
- The travel in question was a distance of 50 kilometers and the samples collected were to observe any changes in ACTH, cortisol and β-endorphin levels – hormones associated with stress response.
Key Findings
- The research found significant increase in ACTH and cortisol levels in donkeys after transportation. This alteration was observed when compared both to their basal levels and values before the journey.
- In horses, however, only cortisol levels showed an increase post transportation, but no significant alterations were noticed in ACTH and β-endorphin levels.
- Additionally, horses facing forward during the journey had higher β-endorphin levels, while those facing backward exhibited lower ACTH levels.
- The results highlight a strong correlation (r = 0.885; P < 0.01) between ACTH and cortisol levels post transportation.
Implications
- The results point to short transportation triggering a significant activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) in donkeys, which results in the release of stress-related hormones.
- The same activation of the HPA was not observed in horses, thus suggesting that transportation might be a more stressful event for donkeys as compared to horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Aveni F, Ferlazzo A.
(2012).
Comparative endocrinological responses to short transportation of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus).
Anim Sci J, 84(3), 258-263.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-0929.2012.01065.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. esterina.fazio@unime.it
MeSH Terms
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
- Animals
- Equidae / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Male
- Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
- Transportation
- beta-Endorphin / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
- Humphreys S, Kass PH, Magdesian KG, Goodrich E, Berryhill E. Seasonal variation of endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in healthy non-geriatric donkeys in Northern California. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:981920.
- Dai F, Mazzola S, Cannas S, Heinzl EUL, Padalino B, Minero M, Dalla Costa E. Habituation to Transport Helps Reducing Stress-Related Behavior in Donkeys During Loading. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:593138.
- Gehlen H, Schwarz B, Bartmann C, Gernhardt J, Stöckle SD. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 8;10(12).
- Dai F, Dalla Costa E, Cannas S, Heinzl EUL, Minero M, Mazzola SM. May Salivary Chromogranin A Act as a Physiological Index of Stress in Transported Donkeys? A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 3;10(6).
- Padalino B, Raidal SL. Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 17;10(1).
- Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Behaviour during transportation predicts stress response and lower airway contamination in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194272.
- Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo AA. Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions. Vet World 2016 Aug;9(8):856-61.
- Campbell ML. Embryo transfer in competition horses: Managing mares and expectations. Equine Vet Educ 2014 Jun;26(6):322-327.
- Raidal SL, Freccero F, Carstens A, Weaver S, Padalino B. Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647236.
- Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
- Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
- Bruschetta G, Zanghì G, Giunta RP, Ferlazzo AM, Satué K, D'Ascola A, Fazio E. Short Road Transport and Slaughter Stress Affects the Expression Profile of Serotonin Receptors, Adrenocortical, and Hematochemical Responses in Horses. Vet Sci 2024 Mar 3;11(3).
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