Ranking Animals Research Articles

Hormonal actions in the Protozoan stress: A review.

In the higher ranked animals the alteration of the environment can provoke a uniform reaction named general adaptation system (GAS), which is a manifestation of stress, caused by different stressors. During GAS certain organs show typical reactions and two members of the hormonal system are activated: epinephine and glucocorticoids. As the unicellular ciliate Tetrahymena also synthesize most of the mammalian-like hormones (except steroids), it can respond to stress by a hormonal reaction. The main differences, related to the mammalian GAS hormonal reaction are, that 1) in Tetrahymena the level of all of the hormones studied significantly elevates under the effect of heat, osmotic or chemical stress and 2) the single stress effect is durable. It is manifested at least to the 100th generations, which means that it is inherited epigenetically. Not only hormone synthesis but the receptorial hormone binding is also elevated, which means that the whole hormonal system is activated. The stress reaction (GAS) phylogenetically can be deduced to a unicellular (Protozoan) level however, prokaryotes - which are also stress-reactive - are using another mechanisms.

Estimates of genetic parameters for content of boar taint compounds in adipose tissue of intact males at 160 and 220 days of age.

The aims of this study were to investigate variation in content of androstenone (AND), skatole (SKA), and indole (IND), quantified in adipose tissue of intact male pigs at 160 d of age (105 kg BW) and 220 d of age (155 kg BW), to estimate genetic parameters and to investigate the genetic relationships for AND, SKA, IND, and growth traits. A sample of adipose tissue was collected in vivo, using a biopsy device, from the neck of 500 intact males at the 2 ages and at slaughter from the ham of 100 of the investigated animals. Backfat depth was measured at 220 d of age, whereas BW was recorded at each sampling. Quantification of AND, SKA, and IND was performed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Estimates of genetic parameters were obtained through Bayesian analyses after logarithmic transformations of original measures. Contents of boar taint compounds (BTC) measured at 220 d were higher than those at 160 d of age. Correlations between contents of BTC in backfat and ham fat ranged from 0.7 (IND) to 0.88 (SKA). Medium-high h were estimated for BTC at both ages, but estimates at 220 d (0.58, 0.60, and 0.69 for AND, SKA, and IND, respectively) were greater than those at 160 d. The genetic correlation between contents at 160 and 220 d of each BTC was positive, but the probability that such estimates were greater than 0.8 was very low, indicating that contents at 160 and 220 d were traits controlled by different genetic backgrounds. Different rankings were observed when breeding values for the content at 160 and 220 d of age were used to rank animals. As a consequence, performance testing programs for BTC should be based preferably on phenotypes measured at 220 d of age. Weak genetic correlations were observed between content of BT compounds and growth traits (BW, backfat depth, and daily gain from 160 to 220 d of age), indicating that selective breeding to reduce the risk of tainted pork is expected to exert trivial effects on growth performance and fat deposition. Results indicate that prevalence of BTC is high in mature and heavy pigs relative to young and light pigs. High heritability; positive genetic correlations between AND, SKA, and IND; and trivial effects on growth traits suggest that reduction of BTC through selective breeding is feasible and exploitable as an alternative to surgical castration also for pigs slaughtered at heavy BW.

Biogenic amines at a low level of evolution: Production, functions and regulation in the unicellular Tetrahymena.

The unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena synthesize, store and secrete biogenic amines (histamine, serotonin, epinephrine, dopamine, melatonin) and also can take up amines from the milieu. It also has (G-protein-coupled) receptors (binding sites) for these amines as well, as second messengers. The factors infuencing the mentioned processes are shown. For certain amines the genes and the coded enzymes are demonstrated. The amines influence phagocytosis, cell division, ciliary regeneration, glucose metabolism and chemotaxis. There are interhormone actions between the amines, and between the amines and other hormones produced by Tetrahymena. The critical review discusses the role of amines in the early stages of evolution and compares this to their functions in mammals. It tries to give answer how and why biogenic amines were selected to hormones, and why new functions formed for them in higher ranked animals, preserving also the ancient ones.

Genetic parameters for milk production traits and breeding goals for Gir dairy cattle in Brazil.

To implement an animal breeding program, it is important to define the production circumstances of the animals of interest to determine which traits of economic interest will be selected for the breeding goal. The present study defined breeding goals and proposed selection indices for milk production and quality traits of Gir dairy cattle. First, a bioeconomic model was developed to calculate economic values. The genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated based on records from 22,468 first-lactation Gir dairy cows and their crosses for which calving occurred between 1970 and 2011. Statistical analyses were carried out for the animal model, with multitrait analyses using the restricted maximum likelihood method. Two situations were created in the present study to define the breeding goals: 1) including only milk yield in the breeding goal (HGL1) and 2) including fat and protein in addition to the milk yield (HGL2). The heritability estimates for milk, protein, and fat production were 0.33 ± 0.02, 0.26 ± 0.02, and 0.24 ± 0.02, respectively. All phenotypic and genetic correlations were highly positive. The economic values for milk, fat, and protein were US$0.18, US$0.27, and US$7.04, respectively. The expected economic responses for HGL2 and for HGL1 were US$126.30 and US$79.82, respectively. These results indicate that milk component traits should be included in a selection index to rank animals evaluated in the National Gir Dairy Breeding Program developed in Brazil.

Behavioural patterns among female African savannah elephants: the role of age, lactational status, and sex of the nursing calf

For social mammals, phenotypic factors, such as age and reproductive state, and environmental factors, such as competition and requirements for offspring, shape individual resource needs and cause animals to display behavioural patterns most useful in resource acquisition. Female mammals trade off investment in growth and survival against complex and resource-intensive reproductive challenges; thus, they alter behaviours according to changing priorities. To maximize net gain females increase resource intake or limit its expenditure. Behaviours that involve resource acquisition, such as foraging, are potentially rewarding, yet lead to competition, especially in group-living species; whereas behaviours that do not provide resources, such as resting or grooming, encourage sharing and buffer competition. In cooperative species with linear dominance hierarchies such as female African elephants (Loxodonta africana africana), rank is often determined by age and size, which are highly correlated. When compared with younger, competitively disadvantaged individuals, higher ranked animals attain greater access to resources, but other phenotypic and environmental factors may influence their needs. Hence, we examined how lactational status and sex of the nursing offspring influenced time spent on resource acquisition, and we assessed how these factors affect rates of aggression related to age. We conducted the study at Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa from June to December 2010, using 20 min focal animal sampling on reproductively mature females (). Adult females () exhibited aggression more frequently and socialized in a non-aggressive manner less frequently than subadult females (). Lactating females () spent more time foraging, displayed aggression more frequently, socialized in a non-aggressive manner less frequently, and exhibited chemosensory behaviours less frequently than non-lactating conspecifics (). Mothers of female calves () spent more time foraging than mothers of male calves (). The latter spent more time nursing and resting. We show how behavioural patterns, permitted or limited by age (correlated with size and rank) and reproductive condition, pertain to resource needs in female elephants, in contexts not directly related to survival or starvation avoidance. We discuss our findings in the context of female social relationships, for a long-lived, cooperative species.

Economic values for milk production and quality traits in south and southeast regions of Brazil

The objective of this study was to calculate economic values for milk (MY), protein (PY) and fat productions (FY) and somatic cell count (SCC) which could be used to compose an economic index to rank animals involved in an international genetic evaluation program of Holstein cattle used in the commercial dairy population in Brazil. The main milk production systems (MPS) prevailing in the South and Southeast were defined based on the feeding management and production level of herds. To calculate feeding costs, energy requirements for the production of one kg of milk with the respective average protein and fat contents of each MPS were calculated. Feeding costs were obtained based on the regional prices of the diets' components. To calculate revenues, milk prices were obtained from the payment tables practiced by seven milk industries. Economic values were calculated from the marginal differences between revenues and costs, for the interest of maximizing the profit, assuming a fixed number of animals in the herd. The average economic values (R$) for MY, PY and FY were 0.51, 6.41 and 1.94, respectively. The economic impact of increasing the original SCC values in the individual records of cows in the population by 1% was -R$ 1.40 per cow, per year. Due to changes observed in the last years in the milk market in Brazil, selection for milk components became economically advantageous. As a result, the calculation of economic values and the proposition of an economic index based on these traits became feasible. Somatic cell count does have an economic impact on the final price of milk and consequently on the annual profit of herds. It has also been used in breeding programs as an indicator of mastitis resistance and should not be neglected in breeding programs of dairy cattle.

A gene expression estimator of intramuscular fat percentage for use in both cattle and sheep.

BackgroundThe expression of genes encoding proteins involved in triacyglyceride and fatty acid synthesis and storage in cattle muscle are correlated with intramuscular fat (IMF)%. Are the same genes also correlated with IMF% in sheep muscle, and can the same set of genes be used to estimate IMF% in both species?ResultsThe correlation between gene expression (microarray) and IMF% in the longissimus muscle (LM) of twenty sheep was calculated. An integrated analysis of this dataset with an equivalent cattle correlation dataset and a cattle differential expression dataset was undertaken. A total of 30 genes were identified to be strongly correlated with IMF% in both cattle and sheep. The overlap of genes was highly significant, 8 of the 13 genes in the TAG gene set and 8 of the 13 genes in the FA gene set were in the top 100 and 500 genes respectively most correlated with IMF% in sheep, P-value = 0. Of the 30 genes, CIDEA, THRSP, ACSM1, DGAT2 and FABP4 had the highest average rank in both species. Using the data from two small groups of Brahman cattle (control and Hormone growth promotant-treated [known to decrease IMF% in muscle]) and 22 animals in total, the utility of a direct measure and different estimators of IMF% (ultrasound and gene expression) to differentiate between the two groups were examined. Directly measured IMF% and IMF% estimated from ultrasound scanning could not discriminate between the two groups. However, using gene expression to estimate IMF% discriminated between the two groups. Increasing the number of genes used to estimate IMF% from one to five significantly increased the discrimination power; but increasing the number of genes to 15 resulted in little further improvement.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the utility of a comparative approach to identify robust estimators of IMF% in the LM in cattle and sheep. We have also demonstrated a number of approaches (potentially applicable to much smaller groups of animals than conventional methods) to using gene expression to rank animals for IMF% within a single farm/treatment, or to estimate differences in IMF% between two farms/treatments.

Ranking of Nellore animals in cattle championships: genetic parameters and correlations with production traits.

Records of 17,141 Nellore cattle participating in cattle championships, born from 1994-2009, were used to estimate genetic parameters between animal rank in cattle championships, evaluated from weaning to 36 months of age as repeated traits, and growth, fertility, and carcass traits, evaluated at 365 days of age as single traits. Two traits were defined for animal rank in cattle championships: value 1 was attributed to animals ranked from 1st to 3rd place within the age category, and value 0 was assigned to the remaining animals (TOP3). Value 1 was attributed to animals ranked from 1st to 5th place within the age category and value 0 was assigned to the remaining animals (TOP5). The (co)variance components were estimated based on Bayesian inference under a 2-trait threshold-linear animal model. The posterior means of heritability estimated for TOP3 and TOP5 were 0.182 ± 0.010 and 0.260 ± 0.012, respectively, and their repeatabilities were 0.341 ± 0.007 and 0.400 ± 0.007, respectively. High-ranking animals generally presented higher breeding values for body weight, height, body length, and heart girth. The phenotypic correlations indicate that judges of cattle championships primarily rank animals based on weight and heart girth.

Polyethylene glycol compared with ytterbium oxide as a total faecal output marker to predict organic matter intake of dairy ewes fed indoors or at pasture

Several external markers can be used for estimating total faecal output in view of assessing ruminant intake at pasture. Among them, ytterbium (Yb) has been used for many years in various conditions. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a promising external marker because it can be rapidly determined using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The study consisted of 24 adult lactating dairy ewes over three periods (P1, P2 and P3), fed with three different diets: P1, total mixed ration (TMR); P2, Italian ryegrass (IRG); and P3, pasture. After an adaptation period, the ewes were administered a daily dose of ytterbium oxide (0.35 g/day) and PEG (20 g/day) for 2 weeks. During the last week, the daily organic matter intake (OMIOBS) was measured. Faecal samples were collected at milking time (0800 and 1600 h) to determine marker content, using only samples collected in the morning (PEGm) or by averaging samples (Yb, PEGma). Faecal marker content made it possible to assess total faecal output, either using the two recovery rates for PEG (0.98 or 0.87) or not. The OMIOBS was assessed on the basis of total faeces estimated with Yb (OMIYb) or PEG (OMIPEG), and the digestibility was calculated on the basis of feed analysis. With total TMR (P1), the OMIPEG, corrected with recovery rate (OMIPEGm98) or not corrected (OMIPEGm) was 2.40 kg/day and 2.50 kg/day, respectively, and was not different (P>0.05) from OMIOBS (2.51 kg/day), whereas OMIYb was lower (2.14 kg/day) (P<0.001). With IRG (P2), OMIPEGm98 (1.67 kg/day), OMIPEGm87 (1.51 kg/day) and OMIYb (1.59 kg/day) were not different (P>0.05) from OMIOBS (1.57 kg/day). With pasture (P3), the OMIPEGm (1.54 kg/day) and OMIPEGm98 (1.48 kg/day) were not different (P>0.05) from the OMI assessed from the biomass measurement (1.52 kg/day). The OMIYb (1.36 kg/day) was lower (P<0.05) but not different from OMIPEGm98 and OMIPEGm87. Spearman’s rank correlation between OMIOBS and other OMIs (predicted with Yb or PEG P1 and P2) showed that it is possible to rank animals using PEG when there is a sufficiently wide range of OMIOBS (1.65 to 2.8 kg/day in P1) but not within a narrower range (1.47 to 1.72 kg/day in P2). In conclusion, the present study confirms that PEG is a valuable external faecal marker, easy to prepare (solution), administer and determine (NIRS). It can be used to assess intake with numerous animals at pasture, but only for groups, and not to quantitatively estimate individual OMI.

Movement initiation in groups of feral horses

Herds of ungulates, flocks of birds, swarms of insects and schools of fish move in coordinated groups. Computer models show that only one or very few animals are needed to initiate and direct movement. To investigate initiation mechanisms further, we studied two ways in which movement can be initiated in feral horses: herding, and departure from the group. We examined traits affecting the likelihood of a horse initiating movement i.e. social rank, affiliative relationships, spatial position, and social network. We also investigated whether group members join a movement in dominance rank order. Our results show that whereas herding is exclusive to alpha males, any group member may initiate movement by departure. Social bonds, the number of animals interacted with, and the spatial position were not significantly associated with movement initiation. We did not find movement initiation by departure to be exclusive to any type of individual. Instead we find evidence for a limited form of distributed leadership, with higher ranking animals being followed more often.

The effect of pen design on free space utilization of sows group housed in gestation pens equipped with free access stalls

This study investigated the implementation of walk-in/lock-in stalls (free access stalls) for group housed sows. The objectives were to compare two different pen configurations (‘I-pen’ vs. ‘T-pen’) by determining the proportion and type (size/parity) of sows that used the free space areas, and how they used the space. Eight groups of 25 (±3; mean±SD) sows were used in the study, and were housed in either an ‘I’ gestation pen containing two rows of 16 walk-in/lock-in stalls separated by a 3m slatted alleyway, or a ‘T-pen’ which had an additional solid loafing area (3.8m×7.1m) at one end. Sows were individually marked. Photographs were taken from mounted cameras at 2min intervals over a 24h period, once a week, for 11 weeks through gestation. The majority of sows did use the free space areas (>95% of sows). On average, sows used the free space areas 18% of their total daily time, but there was considerable individual variation. On a given day more than half of the sows spent <5% of their time in the free access area. The sows housed in the ‘T-pens’ used the free space area significantly more than the sows housed in the ‘I-pens’ (P<0.001), Heavier sows used the free space area significantly more than lighter sows (P<0.001), and there was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the age (parity) of the sows that used the free space with the middle parities using it the most. Sows spent more time lying down in the areas of the pens with walls, which can act as support, rather than in the other available areas. The variation in free space usage could be due to lower ranking animals feeling threatened by higher ranking sows, or larger sows feeling more space restricted in the stalls than smaller sows.

Incorporation of economic values into the component traits of a ratio: Feed efficiency

Direct selection on a ratio (R) of 2 traits (x1/x2) does not have a mechanism to accommodate the relative economic values (a1 and a2) between x1 and x2 because selection criteria x1/x2 and a1x1/a2x2 rank animals in the same order. This study presented a procedure to incorporate the economic weights into ratio traits through linear transformation. The partial derivatives of a nonlinear profit function evaluated at the means were widely taken as economic weights in the literature. This study showed that the economic weights derived in this manner were erroneous because they actually contain a mixture of actual economic weights and transformation effects. The ratios 1/2 and 2/4 are considered equal by selection on R, but are treated differently by the linear index. In addition, this study presented a unified approach to compare 4 different selection strategies for genetic improvement of ratio traits: linear index (I), selection on the ratio (R), selection on difference between x1 and x2 (D), and selection on x1 alone. This study considered 3 levels of heritability each for variables x1 and x2 and 2 levels of genetic correlations (γG), 2 ratios of means (µ1/µ2), and 4 ratios of phenotypic variances giving a total of 96 scenarios. Linear index I was the most efficient of the 4 criteria compared in all 96 scenarios studied. The superiority of index I over R, D, and selection on x1 alone are particularly remarkable when x1 and x2 have a large difference in heritability and are highly correlated. Selection on x1 alone is an economically viable alternative to criterion I or R for the improvement of ratio traits particularly when x1 is more heritable than x2 and when x2 is costly to measure. Selection on D is more efficient than direct selection on R or selection on x1 alone when x1 is less heritable than x2 and the difference between µ1 and µ2 is small.

Social rank and cortisol among female rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta )

In animal societies, some stressful events can lead to higher levels of physiological stress. Such stressors, like social rank, also predict an increased vulnerability to an array of diseases. However, the physiological relationship between social rank and stress varies between different species, as well as within groups of a single species. For example, dominant individuals are more socially stressed at times, while at other times it is the subordinate ones who experience this stress. Together, these variations make it difficult to assess disease vulnerability as connected to social interactions. In order to learn more about how physiological rank relationships vary between groups of a single species, cortisol measurements from hair samples were used to evaluate the effects of dominance rank on long-term stress levels in despotic and less stringent female rhesus macaque hierarchal groups. In despotic groups, cortisol levels were found not to be correlated with social rank, but a negative correlation was found between social rank and cortisol levels in less stringent hierarchies. Low ranking monkeys in less stringent groups secreted elevated levels of cortisol compared to higher ranking animals. These data suggest that variations in the strictness of the dominance hierarchy are determining factors in rank related stress physiology. The further consideration of nonhuman primate social system diversity and the linear degree of their hierarchies may allow for the development of valid rank-related stress models that will help increase our understanding and guide the development of new therapeutics for diseases related to human socioeconomic status.

Effect of glucose on the insulin production and insulin binding of Tetrahymena

As the unicellular ciliate, Tetrahymena has insulin receptors and produces insulin itself, which can regulate its glucose metabolism and other cell functions, in the present experiments the feed-back, the effect of glucose on the insulin binding and insulin production was studied. The cells were kept partly in tryptone-yeast medium, partly in Losina salt solution. The duration of treatment (in 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 mg/ml glucose) in the binding study was 10 min, in the hormone production study 30 min. FITC-insulin binding was significantly decreased only by 0.1 mg/ml glucose treatment in medium and by 10 mg/ml glucose in salt. The insulin production was significantly lower only in cells treated with 10 mg/ml glucose in medium. The insulin binding in salt was always higher and the insulin production always lower, than in medium. Earlier results demonstrated that the hormonal system (presence of hormones, receptors and signal pathways) of higher ranked animals can be deduced to a unicellular level, however, the feed-back mechanism is not really present here, only the traces can be observed in these protozoa.

Expression of key genes of the somatotropic axis in longissimus dorsi muscle of beef heifers phenotypically divergent for residual feed intake

This study evaluated the effect of residual feed intake (RFI) on the expression of constituent genes of the somatotropic axis in skeletal muscle across 2 diverse dietary regimes. Beef heifers (n=86; initial BW=191.8 kg; SD=37) fed a low-forage (LF) total mixed ration comprising 70:30 concentrate:corn silage (11.0 MJ ME/kg DM) were ranked on RFI. The 10 greatest- (high-RFI) and 10 lowest- (low-RFI) ranking animals were selected for the current study. Biopsies of the LM were harvested at the end of LF dietary period and again after a 6-wk period during which heifers were offered a high-forage grass-silage-only diet (9.7 MJ ME/kg DM). Real-time PCR was used to quantify mRNA transcripts of 11 genes including IGF-1, IGF-2, their receptors (IGF-1R and IGF-2R), 6 IGFBP, and GH receptor (GHR). There was no evidence of a RFI phenotype×diet interaction (P>0.10) for any of the genes examined. An effect (P=0.02) of RFI phenotype was evident for the abundance of GHR mRNA, with twofold greater expression detected in the low-RFI compared with the high-RFI phenotype. Additionally, mRNA expression of IGF-1R was upregulated (1.7-fold; P=0.04) for the low-RFI compared with high-RFI heifers. Residual feed intake was negatively associated with IGF-1R (r=-0.41; P<0.05) and GHR (r=-0.50; P<0.05) mRNA. Moderate negative correlation coefficients were also observed between feed conversion ratio (F:G) and gene expression levels for IGF-1R (r=-0.61; P<0.01) as well as for GHR (r=-0.49; P<0.05). Moreover, associations were detected between DMI with IGF-1R (r=-0.42; P=0.07) and IGF-2R (r=0.40; P=0.07). The IGF-1R mRNA was positively correlated with IGF-1 (r=0.34; P<0.05) and IGF-2 (r=0.71; P<0.001) mRNA. Associations between IGF-1R and IGF-2R with IGFBP5 and GHR were positive (ranging from, r=0.32 to 0.49). These data suggest that components of the somatotropic axis expressed within muscle tissue may be involved in the regulation of feed efficiency in beef cattle. This effect is apparently consistent across contrasting dietary regimens.

The hormonal system of the unicellular Tetrahymena: A review with evolutionary aspects

The unicellular ciliate, Tetrahymena has receptors for hormones of the higher ranked animals, these hormones (e.g. insulin, triiodothyronine, ACTH, histamine, etc.) are also produced by it and it has signal pathways and second messengers for signal transmission. These components are chemically and functionally very similar to that of mammalian ones. The exogenously given hormones regulate different functions, as movement, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, cell growth, secretion, excretion and the cells' own hormone production. The receptors are extremely sensitive, certain hormones are sensed (and response is provoked) at 10-21 M concentration, which makes likely that the function could work by the effect of hormones produced by the Tetrahymena itself. The signal reception is selective, it can differentiate between closely related hormones. The review is listing the hormones produced by the Tetrahymena, the receptors which can receive signals and the signal pathways and second messengers as well, as the known effects of mammalian hormones to the life functions of Tetrahymena. The possible and justified role of hormonal system in the Tetrahymena as a single cell and inside the Tetrahymena population, as a community is discussed. The unicellular hormonal system and mammalian endocrine system are compared and evolutionary conclusions are drawn.

Influence of origin litter on social rank, agonistic behaviour and growth performance of piglets after weaning

In pig production, mixing of piglets after weaning is a common management practice often leading to severe fighting aimed at establishing a social hierarchy. The intention of our study was to investigate whether social rank of piglets obtained by fighting within 3 days after weaning and mixing was affected by origin litter. We studied a total of 15 groups containing 180 piglets originating from 30 litters in two different experimental parts on two conventional pig farms. Each group was composed of six piglets each from two different litters, thus one group consisted of a total of 12 animals. Agonistic behaviour was analysed continuously during 72h after weaning. Sociometric measures determining the linearity of the established social hierarchy as well as an individual rank index were calculated. Piglets were weighed the day before weaning and at the beginning of the fattening period. Piglets in groups of 12 established semi-linear hierarchies allowing the assignment of individual piglets to definite rank positions. There was a clear relationship between origin litter and dominance status. In almost all groups, littermates (LM) originating from one litter obtained higher rank indices than their non-littermates (non-LM) originating from the other litter within the same group (p<0.05). High ranking animals tended to perform more attacks than lower ranking piglets and fought more, especially against non-littermates. There were no differences in daily weight gain between piglets of different rank positions or different litters during the entire rearing period. Our results indicate the existence of a litter-associated dominance when mixing piglets from two different litters after weaning, without any influence on daily weight gain, provided that piglets are fed ad libitum with a close animal feeding:place ratio (1.5:1).

The costs of dominance: testosterone, cortisol and intestinal parasites in wild male chimpanzees.

BackgroundMale members of primate species that form multi-male groups typically invest considerable effort into attaining and maintaining high dominance rank. Aggressive behaviors are frequently employed to acquire and maintain dominance status, and testosterone has been considered the quintessential physiological moderator of such behaviors. Testosterone can alter both neurological and musculoskeletal functions that may potentiate pre-existing patterns of aggression. However, elevated testosterone levels impose several costs, including increased metabolic rates and immunosuppression. Cortisol also limits immune and reproductive functions.MethodsTo improve understanding of the relationships between dominance rank, hormones and infection status in nonhuman primates, we collected and analyzed 67 fecal samples from 22 wild adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. Samples were analyzed for cortisol and testosterone levels as well as intestinal parasite prevalence and richness. 1,700 hours of observation data were used to determine dominance rank of each animal. We hypothesized that dominance rank would be directly associated with fecal testosterone and cortisol levels and intestinal parasite burden.ResultsFecal testosterone (but not cortisol) levels were directly associated with dominance rank, and both testosterone and cortisol were directly associated with intestinal parasite richness (number of unique species recovered). Dominance rank was directly associated with helminth (but not protozoan) parasite richness, so that high ranking animals had higher testosterone levels and greater helminth burden.ConclusionsOne preliminary interpretation is that the antagonist pleiotropic effects of androgens and glucocorticoids place a cost on attaining and maintaining high dominance rank in this species. Because of the costs associated with elevated steroid levels, dominance status may be an honest signal of survivorship against helminth parasites.

Effects of social housing of sexually mature male cynomolgus monkeys during general and reproductive toxicity evaluation

We investigated the effects of social housing on reproductive parameters and body weight in mature cynomolgus monkeys, the predominant nonhuman primate model in (reproductive) toxicology. Group housing ( n = 7) delayed body weight gain compared to single housing. Testicular volumes decreased to approx. 45% of baseline within 13 weeks in low ranking animals followed by return to baseline during weeks 21–26. Interestingly, ejaculate and endocrine parameters did not exhibit corresponding changes. Following separation of this group into a high rank group ( n = 4) and low rank group ( n = 3), testicular volumes varied within background variation (±15%). Re-allocation of new animals with prior contact/group housing experience into groups of 3 animals also prevented body weight and testicular effects. In conclusion, group formation markedly, albeit transiently, altered body weights and testicular size, and these effects could largely be avoided by previous social interaction for at least 26 weeks. These findings should be considered during social housing of mature animals in toxicity studies.

Dairy cows trade-off feed quality with proximity to a dominant individual in Y-maze choice tests

In this experiment choice tests were used as a tool to determine how dairy cows perceive their feeding environment with specific emphasis on understanding the challenges that low ranking animals face when forced to feed in the presence of socially dominant cows. It was hypothesised that cows would trade-off proximity to a dominant individual at the feed-face with access to food of a high quality. Thirty Holstein Friesian cows were used in the study. A test pen contained a Y-maze, with one black feed bin placed in one arm of the maze and one white feed bin placed in the other arm. During a training phase half of the cows were trained to make an association between the black bin and high quality food (HQF), and the white bin and low quality food (LQF). The other half was trained with the opposite combination, to prevent any colour bias. The status of each cow was assessed and dominant and subordinate cows were paired. Choice test 1 determined if cows had correctly learned the association between colour (of food bin) and food quality. Cows were presented with one black and one white bin in the two arms of the maze, with the presentation of each coloured bin in the left and right arms randomised. When cows achieved an 80% success rate of HQF preference they proceeded onto the next stage, where two further tests were presented. In choice test 2, the subordinate cow was presented with two bins of HQF, one of which had a dominant cow feeding from it. In test 3, cows had a choice of HQF and LQF, with the dominant cow present at the HQF bin. Cows showed a significant preference for feeding on HQF alone rather than next to a dominant ( P < 0.001). When they were “asked” to trade-off feed quality with feeding next to a dominant, the majority chose to feed alone on LQF ( P < 0.01). These results suggest that social status within a herd could significantly affect feeding behaviour, especially in situations of high competition and for subordinate individuals.