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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Single housing but not changes in group composition causes s...
PloS one2022; 17(8); e0272445; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272445

Single housing but not changes in group composition causes stress-related immunomodulations in horses.

Abstract: Domestic horses are currently often subject to management practices that can entail social stressors, which in turn can negatively influence immunocompetence and disease susceptibility. The present study therefore aimed to characterize the number of various blood leukocyte subsets in horses, focusing on two potentially stressful housing environments: changes in group composition and relocation to individual stabling. Immune measurements were conducted before as well as one and eight days after changes were made. They were complemented by an assessment of plasma cortisol concentrations as well as behavioral observations. One and eight days after relocation to single housing, the mean numbers of eosinophils, T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells decreased by up to 31%, 20% and 22% respectively, whereas the mean numbers of neutrophils increased by 25%. In contrast, one and eight days after changes in group composition not only the mean number of neutrophils, but also of monocytes, T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells increased by up to 24%, 17%, 9%, and 15% respectively. In consequence, an increase in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio indicating stress-induced immune modulation was found after relocation to single housing, but not after changes in group composition. The changes in leukocyte numbers after relocation to single housing were accompanied by a transient increase in cortisol concentrations after one day and the occurrence of disturbed behavior patterns one week after change in housing condition. In contrast, changes in group composition did not result in an increase of cortisol concentrations or in an increase of aggressive interactions. The results strongly indicate that individual stabling is an intense stressor leading to acute and lasting alterations in blood counts of various leukocyte types. The study highlights a probable negative impact of single housing on welfare and health of horses and an advantage of group housing systems in view of immunocompetence.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-17 PubMed ID: 35976860PubMed Central: PMC9385002DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272445Google 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.

The research investigates the effect of different housing environments on the immune system of horses. It concludes that individual housing is a major stressor that affects the count of blood leukocytes negatively, while changes in group composition have lesser stress-related impacts.

Research Objective

  • The research aimed at examining the effects of two different living conditions used for horses: individual stabling and changing group composition. It intended to find out whether these arrangements could cause stress in horses and how this stress might influence their immune system and susceptibility to diseases.

Research Approach

  • Blood leukocyte subsets were studied in horses subject to changes in their living conditions.
  • The immune measurements were taken at different intervals: before the changes in living conditions and one and eight days after the changes.
  • The measurement of plasma cortisol levels and behavioural observations was used as complementary methods for assessing stress in horses.

Research Findings

  • There was a drop in the mean numbers of eosinophils, T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells by up to 31%, 20% and 22% respectively one and eight days after horses were relocated to single housing.
  • The mean number of neutrophils increased by about 25% in horses relocated to single housing.
  • Alterations were also observed in the group composition changes, though to a lesser extent and different in nature: the mean number of neutrophils, monocytes, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T cells all increased.
  • The relocation to single housing caused an increase in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, indicating a stress-induced immune modulation. These effects were not observed in the case of changes in group composition.
  • Relocation to single housing was also observed to cause transient increases in cortisol concentrations after one day and disturbed behaviour patterns after one week.
  • No similar cortisol increases or aggressive behaviours were noticed after changes in group composition.

Research Conclusion

  • The results indicate that individual stabling causes significant stress in horses, leading to acute and lasting changes in their blood leukocyte counts.
  • By contrast, changes in group composition induced less stress and minimal changes to the leukocyte counts.
  • The research suggests that single housing negatively affects horse welfare and health, while group housing systems may be preferable for maintaining better immunocompetence.

Cite This Article

APA
Schmucker S, Preisler V, Marr I, Krüger K, Stefanski V. (2022). Single housing but not changes in group composition causes stress-related immunomodulations in horses. PLoS One, 17(8), e0272445. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272445

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 8
Pages: e0272445
PII: e0272445

Researcher Affiliations

Schmucker, Sonja
  • Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
Preisler, Vanessa
  • Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
Marr, Isabell
  • Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Nuertingen, Germany.
Krüger, Konstanze
  • Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Nuertingen, Germany.
Stefanski, Volker
  • Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Housing, Animal
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Immunomodulation
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Foury A, Mach N, Ruet A, Lansade L, Moisan MP. Transcriptomic signature related to poor welfare of sport horses.. Compr Psychoneuroendocrinol 2023 Nov;16:100201.
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  2. Torres Borda L, Auer U, Jenner F. Equine Social Behaviour: Love, War and Tolerance.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 26;13(9).
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  3. Ross M, Proudfoot K, Merkies K, Elsohaby I, Mills M, Macmillan K, Mckenna S, Ritter C. Horse Housing on Prince Edward Island, Canada: Attitudes and Experiences Related to Keeping Horses Outdoors and in Groups.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 13;13(2).
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