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Veterinary world2016; 9(8); 856-861; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861

Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions.

Abstract: The changes of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis response to a long distance transportation results in increase of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels. The purpose of the study was to quantify the level of short-term road transport stress on circulating ACTH and cortisol concentrations, related to the effect of previous handling and transport experience of horses. Methods: The study was performed on 56 healthy horses after short-term road transport of 30 km. The horses were divided into four groups, Groups A, B, C, and D, with respect to the handling quality: Good (Groups A and B), bad (Group D), and minimal handling (Group C) conditions. According to the previous transport, experience horses were divided as follows: Horses of Groups A and D had been experienced long-distance transportation before; horses of Groups B and C had been limited experience of transportation. Results: One-way RM-ANOVA showed significant effects of transport on ACTH changes in Groups B and C and on cortisol changes in both Groups A and B. Groups A and B showed lower baseline ACTH and cortisol values than Groups C and D; Groups A and B showed lower post-transport ACTH values than Groups C and D. Groups A, B, and C showed lower post-transport cortisol values than Group D. Only Groups A and B horses have shown an adequate capacity of stress response to transportation. Conclusions: The previous transport experience and quality of handling could influence the HPA axis physiological responses of horses after short-term road transport.
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Publication Date: 2016-08-14 PubMed ID: 27651674PubMed Central: PMC5021835DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 focuses on how previous handling and transportation experiences of horses impact stress hormones during road travel. It reveals that the levels of two stress-related hormones, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, rise in response to transportation stress, with their levels being influenced by the animals’ prior handling and transport experiences.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted the study on 56 healthy horses, which were subjected to short-term road transport of approximately 30 kilometers.
  • The horses were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) based on the quality of their previous handling. Good handling was attributed to Groups A and B, bad handling to Group D, and minimal handling to Group C.
  • Prior transportation experiences of the horses were also taken into account. Horses in Groups A and D had experienced long-distance journeys before, while those in Groups B and C had limited travel experiences.

Results

  • ACTH level changes post-transportation showed significant effects in Groups B and C, while cortisol level shifts were seen in Groups A and B.
  • Both ACTH and cortisol had lower baseline values in Groups A and B compared to Groups C and D.
  • Post-transport, Groups A and B had lower ACTH levels compared to Groups C and D. Similarly, Groups A, B, and C had lower post-transport cortisol levels than Group D.
  • Only the horses in Groups A and B displayed an adequate stress response to transportation.

Conclusion

  • The findings from this study imply that previous handling and transport experiences significantly influence how horses respond to transport stress, as indicated by changes in their ACTH and cortisol levels.
  • This suggests that improving the handling and transport conditions of horses could potentially mitigate their stress-induced hormonal response during subsequent journeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo AA. (2016). Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions. Vet World, 9(8), 856-861. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 856-861

Researcher Affiliations

Fazio, E
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Medica, P
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Cravana, C
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Ferlazzo, And A
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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