Relationship between plasma dopamine concentration and temperament in horses.
Abstract: Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter associated with animal behaviors. Along with other neurotransmitters such as oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT), DA is also involved in determining the temperament of animals. However, the involvement of DA in horse temperament has not been well elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between plasma DA concentration and OXT and 5-HT concentrations and behavioral temperament (eg, docility and friendliness, fearfulness, dominance, and trainability) of horses. Blood samples were collected from 31 horses and the concentrations of DA, OXT, and 5-HT were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The temperament of horses was assessed and scored by 3 researchers. The correlation between the plasma concentration of DA and OXT or 5-HT was statistically analyzed using SPSS software and linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between DA concentration and OXT and 5-HT concentrations. Meanwhile, the DA concentration associated with each type of temperament was analyzed via one-way analysis of variance with LSD post hoc analysis as well as Student's t-test (for trainability). Plasma DA concentration was not found to be correlated with either OXT or 5-HT concentrations. Furthermore, we found no correlation between plasma DA concentration and dominance and trainability. However, our results suggest the possibility of predicting the degree of fearfulness of horses using plasma DA concentrations. We conclude that plasma DA concentration has a potentiality to be used as a biomarker to predict the fearfulness of horses.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-03-24 PubMed ID: 37087888DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2023.106788Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research establishes a possible connection between dopamine levels in horse’s blood and their personalities, specifically determining the level of fearfulness in horses.
Objective of the Study
- This study aims to understand the role of dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter, in horse temperament, specifically looking for correlations between blood levels of dopamine and particular behaviors and traits such as fearfulness, dominance, trainability, and docility.
Methods Used in the Study
- A sample group of 31 horses was used in the study.
- Blood samples were collected from the horses and the levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters like oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT) were measured using techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- The temperament of each horse was assessed and rated by three independent researchers.
- Linear regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were among the statistical methods used to identify any correlation between the concentration of DA and the concentrations of OXT and 5-HT. Student’s t-test was also used specifically to assess the trait of trainability.
Findings of the Study
- The study found that there was no correlation between plasma DA concentration and OXT or 5-HT concentrations.
- Also, there was no clear link between dopamine levels and dominance and trainability traits of horses.
- However, they did find a correlation between dopamine concentration in the blood and the fearfulness of a horse. Therefore, they suggest that blood dopamine concentration may hold potential as a biomarker for predicting fearfulness in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Kim J, Jung H, Yoon M.
(2023).
Relationship between plasma dopamine concentration and temperament in horses.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 83, 106788.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2023.106788 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, 37224, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, 37224, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, 37224, Republic of Korea; Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, 37224, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Horse Industry, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, 37224, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: mjyoonemail@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Temperament
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Behavior, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Loftus L, Newman A, Leach M, Asher L. Exploring the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines through a personality-centred lens. Sci Rep 2025 May 27;15(1):18550.
- Cocco R, Sechi S, Rizzo M, Arrigo F, Giannetto C, Piccione G, Arfuso F. Assessing the Peripheral Levels of the Neurotransmitters Noradrenaline, Dopamine and Serotonin and the Oxidant/Antioxidant Equilibrium in Circus Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 14;14(16).
- Szabó P, Bonet S, Hetényi R, Hanna D, Kovács Z, Prisztóka G, Križalkovičová Z, Szentpéteri J. Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection-unpacking oxytocin's contributions in a sport context. Front Physiol 2024;15:1393497.
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