Abstract
We hypothesized that sham-chewing expressed by the dam during gestation affects fetus programming. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of maternal sham-chewing on offspring welfare indicators, such as behavior and physiology. Sows that exhibited consistent sham-chewing on at least two of 6 days of observation (N = 7) were compared with sows that had never performed sham-chewing (non-sham-chewing sows; N = 4) during these 6 days. Salivary samples from sows and piglets were collected and cortisol concentrations were analyzed to assess the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity as cortisol is a physiological indicator of welfare. Moreover, placental tissue was collected, right after farrowing, to assess cortisol and cortisone concentration. Piglet behavior and fear tests were performed after weaning (one couple per sow). In the fear tests, data was collected in an open field test to determine the states of fear indicators. Non-sham-chewing sows had lower concentrations of cortisol on days 91 and 92 of gestation in the morning. In addition to this, placental cortisol was higher among sham-chewing sows than non-sham-chewing sows. In the open field test, piglets born from non-sham-chewing sows demonstrated more latency to move in the arena and less activity, indicating more fear. Based on our data, we concluded that the expression of maternal sham-chewing is related to less fear in their offspring. Although stereotypies have been studied, attention has not been devoted to the effects of the prenatal period in considering a fetal reprogramming approach.
Highlights
Stereotypic behaviors or “stereotypies” are a wide range of repetitive and apparently functionless patterns that often develop in environments that likely contribute to poor animal welfare [1]
Closer to delivery, sham-chewing sows had a tendency toward higher levels of salivary-cortisol on evenings 106 and 107 of gestation (Mann-Whitney U-test; p = 0.05; Z = −1.90; Figure 1) than non-sham-chewing sows
Stereotypies have been studied for decades, attention has not been devoted to the consequences of fetal programming and the long-term impact on future generations
Summary
Stereotypic behaviors or “stereotypies” are a wide range of repetitive and apparently functionless patterns that often develop in environments that likely contribute to poor animal welfare [1]. This behavior often develops in animals housed in environments with few stimuli, or that involve physical restraint(s), fear, and/or frustration [1]. Stereotypies in general have a multifactorial cause, in which there is a synergetic effect of internal and external stimulus triggering their expression. Some variables have a greater impact on the triggering of stereotypic behavior than others when the diverse range of environmental factors are considered [5]
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