Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Pain perception and alleviation in animals.
Abstract: In the last 2 decades there have been substantial advances in our knowledge of the scientific basis of the mechanisms of pain. Nociceptors or pain receptors are widespread in the skin and tissues of animals; chemical mediation of nociceptor excitation may provide a key for understanding the peripheral phenomena related to pain. The expression of pain in animals involves multiple ascending and descending branches, as well as specialized pain-signaling mechanisms in the spinal cord. The importance of these different pathways varies with species and circumstances. Endogenous neural systems in the brain stem and forebrain including both opioid and nonopioid mechanisms may modulate the central transmission of nociceptive signals in animals. Noxious stimuli mediate a variety of different functions; each animal has a consistent response to noxious stimuli or a consistent pattern of escape from pain. As we better understand the mechanisms of pain, the humane treatment and alleviation of pain in experimental animals can be placed on a much firmer scientific basis.
Publication Date: 1984-04-01 PubMed ID: 6200363 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.
This research article discusses the significant advancements made in understanding the scientific mechanisms of pain in animals and the potential this knowledge has for improving the treatment and relief of pain in experimental animals.
Understanding Pain Mechanisms
The study has made several key observations about the fundamental mechanisms of pain in animals over the past two decades:
- Nociceptors, also known as pain receptors, are found extensively in the skin and tissues of animals. The way these nociceptors become excited could be key to understanding peripheral phenomena related to pain.
- The process of expressing pain in animals involves numerous ascending and descending branches and specialized pain-signaling mechanisms specifically in the spinal cord. These various pathways hold differing degrees of importance depending on the species and the particular circumstances.
Pain Modulation and Response
The research also gained insights into how pain is modulated and responded to in animals:
- There are inherent neural systems in the animal’s brain stem and forebrain that can modulate the central transmission of nociceptive signals. These systems are composed of both opioid and non-opioid mechanisms.
- Each animal reacts to harmful stimuli, also known as noxious stimuli, in a consistent manner, either via a constant response or a regular pattern of escaping from the pain.
Implications for Humane Treatment
The results of this study have several crucial implications for the future humane treatment of animals:
- With a more comprehensive understanding of pain mechanisms, enhancements can be made to the humane treatment and alleviation of pain in experimental animals. This can be accomplished by tailoring interventions to specific pain pathways and response patterns identified in different species.
- Continued research into the scientific basis of pain can potentially lead to the development of new, more precise, and effective pain-relieving interventions for animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Erickson HH, Kitchell RL.
(1984).
Pain perception and alleviation in animals.
Fed Proc, 43(5), 1307-1312.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Afferent Pathways / physiology
- Analgesia
- Analgesics / metabolism
- Animals
- Animals, Laboratory / physiology
- Behavior, Animal / physiology
- Biological Evolution
- Brain / physiology
- Cats
- Dogs
- Electric Stimulation
- Electrophysiology
- Endorphins / physiology
- Horses
- Neurons / physiology
- Nociceptors / physiology
- Pain / physiopathology
- Peptides / physiology
- Perception / physiology
- Spinal Cord / physiology
- Stress, Physiological / physiopathology
- Substance P / physiology
- Surgical Procedures, Operative
- Synapses / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Sarnella A, Ferrara Y, Terlizzi C, Albanese S, Monti S, Licenziato L, Mancini M. The Chicken Embryo: An Old but Promising Model for In Vivo Preclinical Research. Biomedicines 2024 Dec 13;12(12).
- Reimann F, Cox JJ, Belfer I, Diatchenko L, Zaykin DV, McHale DP, Drenth JP, Dai F, Wheeler J, Sanders F, Wood L, Wu TX, Karppinen J, Nikolajsen L, Männikkö M, Max MB, Kiselycznyk C, Poddar M, Te Morsche RH, Smith S, Gibson D, Kelempisioti A, Maixner W, Gribble FM, Woods CG. Pain perception is altered by a nucleotide polymorphism in SCN9A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Mar 16;107(11):5148-53.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
