Concern For Welfare Research Articles

Welfare Assessment of Invertebrates: Adapting the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) for Zoo Decapods and Cephalopods.

Simple SummaryThe use of decapods (such as lobsters and crabs) and cephalopods (such as octopuses and cuttlefish) by humans for food, experimentation and education (e.g., in zoos and aquariums) is on the increase. Growing evidence that these species have feelings and can experience emotions has highlighted the need for a tool to monitor the welfare of these species in captivity. This study adapted a welfare monitoring tool, the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid, that has been successfully used with a variety of mammal and bird species, for use with decapods and cephalopods. This tool was then trialed at a zoological institution (Marwell Zoo, UK) and, for the first time, a public aquarium (National Marine Aquarium, UK), with the intention of showing how data collected on invertebrates in a zoological environment can be both efficiently and easily applied to implement positive welfare. This study highlights how evaluating the welfare impact of management processes using animal-based indicators can lead to improved welfare outcomes.Consumer demand for invertebrates is on the rise as their numbers in the wild dwindle. However, with the growing conservation efforts of modern zoos and aquariums, and evidence from over 300 studies showing that invertebrates are capable of sentience, public interest, and moral concern for welfare of invertebrates have increased. The challenge for zoos and aquariums is in developing an objective and repeatable method for evaluating welfare that can be applied to invertebrates in zoological collections. Recently introduced into zoological collection management is the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG). The AWAG helps to identify negative and positive welfare states, through assessing animal- and environmental-based indicators to make changes that lead to a better quality of life. Originally developed for the assessment of laboratory primates, the system has been successfully adapted to assess a variety of taxa across different environments, facilitated by the development of cloud-based software. In this study, the AWAG has been adapted to assess the cumulative lifetime experience of captive decapods and cephalopods at two different institutions, Marwell Zoo and National Marine Aquarium. This study has provided further evidence that the AWAG is adaptable and demonstrates the first time any objective scoring system has been successfully adapted for use in invertebrates. Through graphical representation, the results show that the AWAG identifies changes in welfare scores that can be attributed to specific events and can be used to predict the future vulnerability of species to welfare changes and suggest alternative management methods. This monitoring tool provides a versatile method of implementing practical welfare monitoring in zoos and aquariums.

Factors Associated with Injury Rate and Pregnancy Success in Rhesus Macaques.

Simple SummaryRhesus macaques are bred around the world for use in biomedical research. They have a strict dominance hierarchy which they reinforce with aggression, and fight injuries are a major welfare concern in group-housed macaques. In this study we examined 10 years of injury records at a colony in which the monkeys were housed in small breeding groups with a single adult male. We found that breeding females were disproportionally likely to be injured. We examined how factors, such as group size, might affect both the injury rate and the probability of the females becoming pregnant. We found that introducing a new adult male to a group had the greatest effect on the injury rate but also significantly increased the probability of the females getting pregnant.Fight injuries are a major welfare concern in group-housed rhesus macaques. This is particularly a problem in breeding groups. We investigated which factors might affect the injury rate in group-housed macaques and also looked at how the same factors might affect productivity. We analysed 10 years of health records at a breeding colony in which monkeys were kept in small breeding groups consisting of a single adult male and 2–13 females and their offspring or single-sex juvenile groups. We found that females over the age of 2.5 years in breeding groups were the most likely to be injured. We focused on these females and used generalised mixed-effect models to examine which factors affected the injury rate and their productivity (probability of getting pregnant). The biggest risk factor for injury was the introduction of a new adult male to a breeding group. However, this also produced a large increase in the proportion of females that became pregnant, suggesting that there may be a trade-off between the risk of injury and the productivity. We also found that females in large groups with a young breeding male had a very high risk of injury. We recommend keeping young breeding males (<7 years) in smaller groups.

Consumer perception and emotional responses to plant-based cheeses

Consumer interest in plant-based cheeses (PBCs) has increased in the last few years due to consumer concern for animal welfare, environmental impact, and health. In order to increase the acceptability of PBCs, sensory studies must be conducted. As such, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, sensory properties, and emotional responses to PBCs currently being sold in Canada. There were two different sensory trials conducted. In the first trial (n = 100), raw PBCs were evaluated, and in the second trial (n = 93) melted PBCs were evaluated. In both trials, five different PBCs were evaluated using nine-point hedonic scales, a check-all-that-apply (CATA) question, and the CATA variant of the EsSense25 profile. Participants were also asked to answer open-ended comment questions about PBCs. The results showed that participants thought PBCs are healthier than regular dairy cheese, but they did not like the flavour or textural properties of PBCs. PBCs that are buttery, smooth, and have soft attributes were preferred by the participants. Participants mainly disliked PBCs that were mouthcoating, rubbery, and had off-flavours. The PBCs with higher overall liking scores were associated with positive emotions.

What Are the Predictors, Motivators, and Barriers to Reducing Meat and Following a More Plant-Based Diet?

ObjectivesThere is evidence that reduction of meat intake can improve health and have a positive environmental impact. To design effective nutrition interventions, it is important to identify and understand the predictors, motivators, and barriers to meat reduction. This literature review critically assessed the published research regarding the major motivators, barriers, and predictors of dietary meat reduction and following a more plant-based diet. MethodsPrimary qualitative or quantitative human studies, published between 2015 and 2020 and available in English, were included. Studies were identified through a series of five literature searches and citation review. A total of 398 studies were identified, and after excluding duplicates and studies not relevant to the research question, 21 were included in this review. Each article included was summarized using the matrix method. ResultsSixteen of these studies were cross-sectional, four were qualitative, and one was a series of randomized controlled trials. Predictors of meat intake reduction and shift to eating a more plant-based diet included a more liberal political affiliation, female gender, being 25 to 40 years of age, higher levels of education, and cultural contexts which do not view meat as a symbol of wealth and power. Motivators included health reasons such as disease prevention and weight management, lower cost, liking the taste of vegetarian food, belief in a positive environmental impact, and concern for animal welfare. Barriers to change included anticipated stigma, liking the taste of meat, lack of knowledge about how to cook nutritionally complete vegetarian meals, ingrained dietary habits, higher sensitivity to bitterness in vegetables, and social situations that lead to greater meat consumption. ConclusionsThe predictors, motivators, and barriers to a meat reduced, more plant-based diet recognized in these studies can help design and target future nutrition programs focused on facilitating this dietary change. However, given that most of these studies were cross-sectional, there is a need for randomized controlled trials to determine stronger cause-and-effect relationships. Funding SourcesNone.

Australian surveys on incidence and control of blowfly strike in sheep between 2003 and 2019 reveal increased use of breeding for resistance, treatment with preventative chemicals and pain relief around mulesing.

Blowfly strike or cutaneous myiasis, caused principally by the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina is endemic to Australian sheep producing areas and is a major cause of suffering and economic loss. This article reports incidence and control practices as determined by three cross-sectional surveys of Australian sheep farmers covering the years 2003 (n=1365), 2011 (n=575) and 2018 (n=354) with more questions relating to blowfly strike in the latter two surveys. Breech strike was reported at a higher rate than body strike in all survey years. Reported annual incidence of breech strike ranged from 2.2 to 4.7% of sheep nationally with minor differences between ewes and lambs. The incidence of body strike ranged from 1.0 to 7.1% with higher incidence in younger sheep in all years. The use of fixed time routine preventative chemical treatments increased during the survey period (43%, 46% and 66%, in 2003, 2011 and 2018 respectively) with dicyclanil (54%-58%) and cyromazine (23-36%) the main insecticides used for control since 2011. The use of the Mules operation (mulesing) to remove skin wrinkles from the breech area as a preventative modification did not change between 2011 and 2018 (47% in both), however, the use of pain relief at mulesing of replacement ewe lambs increased substantially between 2011 (59%) and 2018 (87%). The most commonly used methods to assist with flystrike control were timing of crutching (clipping of wool from susceptible areas) and shearing, with few respondents destroying maggots from treated sheep (21-26%) and very low use of fly traps (5-8%). Phenotypic selection of ewes for reduced susceptibility to flystrike based on visual traits was practiced by 61% of respondents in 2011 and 56% in 2018. Selection of rams for reduced susceptibility using estimated breeding values increased from 10% in 2011 to 17% in 2018. Breeding for resistance was the most commonly nominated (21%) most important change made to flystrike management in 2018. The results indicate that concern for sheep welfare has increased with almost universal use of pain relief at mulesing. Increased use of selection for blowfly resistance indicates farmer commitment to planning for a future without mulesing, although the practice remains prevalent. An increase in the reliance on preventative chemical treatments increases the risk of insecticide resistance.

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Attitudes to Pain in Pasture-Based Dairy Cows: A Comparative Study of Farmers and Veterinarians.

Pain is a significant welfare concern within the dairy industry. Recognizing and managing pain are important factors for safeguarding animal welfare. A questionnaire was sent via post to Irish dairy farmers and large animal veterinarians to assess attitudes to pain and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in pasture-based dairy cows. The questionnaire could also be completed online. A total of 1,002 surveys were received from dairy farmers and 116 from livestock veterinarians. Veterinarians and farmers generally perceived the same conditions and procedures as the most painful. However, farmers scored surgical procedures significantly higher than veterinarians, and veterinarians scored lameness-related conditions, mastitis (clots in milk only) and hock hair loss significantly higher than farmers. Higher pain scores for conditions and procedures given by dairy farmers and veterinarians were associated with increased NSAID use. However, the use of NSAIDs was low, relative to the pain score, for Burdizzo castration (farmers and veterinarians), white line separation (farmers and veterinarians) and abscess (veterinarians), mastitis with clots in milk only (farmers) and calving with no assistance (farmers). Veterinarians who graduated less recently had significantly lower odds of using NSAIDs, and farmers that completed the survey online, had a larger herd size, completed education up to level four or five (as opposed to level three) and those who seemed to have less knowledge on analgesics, had significantly lower odds of using NSAIDs. Empathy was not found to be associated with NSAID use and no correlation was found between pain and empathy scores. Veterinarians perceived cost as more of a barrier than farmers did; therefore, NSAIDs should be offered more readily. For those working with dairy cows, there is a need to continue education on the benefits of analgesia, especially for conditions and procedures that have low NSAID use relative to pain score. The habituation of humans to pain in animals needs to be prevented to enable pain to be recognized and managed appropriately. Pain scores can be used as a benchmark for veterinarians and farmers to determine how their perception of pain compares to others, and see how this may influence their NSAID use.

Welfare Concerns for Mounted Load Carrying by Working Donkeys in Pakistan.

Working donkeys (Equus asinus) are vital to people's livelihoods. They are essential for carrying goods, however, globally, overloading is one of the primary welfare concerns for working donkeys. We studied mounted load carrying by donkeys and associated factors in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study of donkey owners (n = 332) was conducted, and interviews were undertaken based on a questionnaire. Owners estimated that the median weight of their donkeys was 110 kg [interquartile range (IQR) 100–120 kg], and that they carried a median mounted load of 81.5 kg (IQR 63–99 kg). We found that 87.4% of donkeys carried a load above 50% of their bodyweight ratio (BWR), the median BWR carried was 77.1% (IQR 54.5–90.7%), and 25.3% of donkeys carried above 90% BWR. Donkeys that were loaded at more than 50% BWR were more likely to adopt sternal recumbency compared to donkeys loaded with less weight (P = 0.01). Donkeys carrying construction material were more likely to carry more than the median BWR, when compared to domestic loads (P < 0.001). Younger donkeys aged between one and 5 years carried more than the median BWR compared to those aged over 15 years (P = 0.03). For the models with donkeys carrying median BWR and above 90% BWR, those working in peri-urban and urban areas were more likely to carry a greater BWR than donkeys working in rural areas (P < 0.001; P < 0.001, respectively). For donkeys carrying more than 90% BWR, mixed breed donkeys carried higher loads compared to other breeds of donkeys (P < 0.001). Overloading based on current recommendations (50% BWR) was common, with the majority (87.4%) of donkeys reported to carry more than the recommended 50% limit. This survey provides evidence of on-the-ground working practices and factors associated with mounted load carrying, which is critical for developing evidence-based recommendations for loading, in order to improve the welfare of working donkeys.

Evaluation of potential toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on human derived cell lines

Microplastics bare of major concern for environmental conservation and animal welfare in recent years as its use has increased tremendously. Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) are the most common microplastics and could get exposed to humans via different routes with oral>inhalation>dermal. Internalization of MPs through epithelial tissue could expose MPs to various cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages/monocytes, and/or T cells. In this study, we aimed at identifying the effects of two different sized (30.5 ± 10.5 and 6.2 ± 2.0 μm) PE-MPs on different human cell lines representing different tissues or cells that get exposed to MPs directly or indirectly. Six cell lines were cultured with different concentrations of PE-MPs and cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and cytokines were measured. PE-MPs did not substantially lower the cell viability of cells however highest concentration (1000 μg/mL) of both sized MPs slightly reduced cell viability in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 and lung epithelial A549 cells. Both sized PE-MPs induced higher NO in all the cell lines and upregulation of ROS generation was demonstrated at THP-1, Jurkat, and U937 immune cell lines. A pro-inflammatory cytokine response was seen in HaCaT keratinocyte cells when cultured with PE-MPs whereas the opposite effect was observed in THP-1 and U937 cells except with THP-1 cells cultured with larger-sized MPs. We found that the PE-MPs do not have the same effects on all kinds of cells and tissues exposed and the immune modulation is not necessarily inflammatory. Thus, this study gives insight into why more detailed studies focused on exposure routes and organ-specific effects of different MPs need to be carried out.

Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Simple SummaryUnderstanding the causes of racehorse deaths is an important step in addressing this welfare concern. Previous studies have identified that during Thoroughbred racing, catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries, which necessitate euthanasia, account for approximately 75% of fatalities, with sudden athletic death occurring in the remaining 25% of cases. In sudden athletic death cases a post-mortem examination is needed to determine the cause of death. Approximately half of these sudden athletic deaths are attributed to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia, which is termed sudden cardiac death. In order to investigate risk factors for sudden cardiac death, we reviewed the post-mortem reports from horses that died on metropolitan racetracks in Melbourne, Australia and grouped horses into sudden cardiac death and all other fatal injuries. We found that horses with sudden cardiac death were more likely to die during training than during racing, had fewer lifetime starts and were less likely to be entire (uncastrated) males. Exercise intensity appears not to be critically important in precipitating sudden cardiac death in horses. Sudden cardiac death occurred early in the careers of affected horses.Cardiac arrhythmias resulting in sudden cardiac death (SCD) are an important cause of racehorse fatalities. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for SCD in Thoroughbreds by evaluating a sample with a policy of mandatory post-mortem following racing or training fatalities. Risk factors were compared between case horses with SCD (n = 57) and control horses with other fatal injury (OFI, n = 188) by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Survival in years for horses with SCD was compared to OFI using the Kaplan–Meier method with log rank test. The following variables were most important in the multiple logistic model: Horses with SCD were more likely to die during training than during racing, SCD (42/57, 74%) vs. OFI (82/188, 44%; odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5, 1.2–5.4; p = 0.01), had fewer lifetime starts, median (interquartile range [IQR]), SCD (3.0 [0.0–9.0]) vs. OFI (9.0 [0.0–22.8]; OR, 95% CI, 0.96, 0.9–1.0; p = 0.02 and were less likely to be entire (uncastrated) males, SCD 9/57 (16%) vs. OFI (46/188, 25%; OR, 95% CI, 0.47, 0.1–0.9; p = 0.03). Survival in years (median (IQR)) for horses with SCD was 3.6 (3.1–4.4), which was shorter than OFI (4.5 [3.1–6.0], hazard ratio, 95%CI, 1.6,1.2–2.3; p < 0.001). SCD occurs more commonly in training than racing, which suggests exercise intensity is less important in precipitating this fatality. In this study, SCD occurred early in the careers of affected horses.

DETERMINING THE EFFECT OF STRESS AND JOB BURNOUT ON THE LIFE SATISFACTION OF NURSING STAFF

Both job satisfaction and a nurse’s individual traits may have an impact on nurses’ life satisfaction. Given the relatively high level of stress associated with the nursing profession, account should be taken of the fact that numerous destructive factors also affect life satisfaction. In the nursing profession commitment, concern for patient welfare, a high sense of responsibility for the life and health of another person causes both an excessive psychological and physical burden, which in many cases leads to broadly defined stress and in consequence to burnout syndrome. The aim of the paper was directed toward the analysis of stress, burnout and life satisfaction and demonstrating the relationship between these variables in a group of surgical and psychiatric nurses. Two groups of equal size participated in the study. They included 100 surgical nurses (average age: 47/average years of experience: 25), 100 psychiatric nurses (average age: 42/average years of experience: 19) employed by hospitals situated in the south of Poland. Research tools: occupational burnout – the Maslach Burnout Inventory, stress - the Stevan Hobfoll's Self-Assessment Questionnaire to measure stress, life satisfaction – Satisfaction with Life Scale, and questionnaire of socio-demographic data were administered. Stress and occupational burnout are shown to only have an impact on the life satisfaction of surgical nurses. The less burnt-out nurses felt with regard to lowered sense of personal achievement, the higher their life satisfaction levels were. In the context of work, stress plays a role of mediator in the relationship between life satisfaction and the second dimension of occupational burnout – depersonalization in both surveyed groups. A sense of life satisfaction is desired by every human being and may refer to different aspects of their lives such as: work, income, family and friends. In reality job satisfaction has a significant influence on the individual’s feeling of life satisfaction. The obtained results clearly indicate that some action needs to be taken in order to prevent professional burnout. It is therefore sensible to start action already at university and include the subject of occupational burnout, its causes, and ways of coping with it in the teaching curriculum.

Lead pulling as a welfare concern in pet dogs: What can veterinary professionals learn from current research?

Veterinary professionals (VPs) are often the first source of advice for clients struggling with their dog's behaviour, and pulling on the lead is a commonplace undesirable behaviour VPs will encounter regularly in practice. Excluding bites, being pulled over while walking on a lead is the leading cause of non-fatal dog-related injuries in the UK. This narrative review investigates lead pulling as a welfare concern in pet dogs, highlighting aspects of the literature of particular interest to VPs. Lead pulling could negatively affect walk quality, frequency and duration, causing weight gain, while decreased environmental enrichment could trigger other undesirable behaviours. Aversive equipment to prevent lead pulling can cause pain, distress and injury, but even equipment considered humane can have welfare consequences. Punitive training methods could cause dogs stress, fear and anxiety and trigger aggressive behaviour. While these lead pulling outcomes are welfare concerns in themselves, they could also weaken dog-owner attachment, a risk factor in pet dog relinquishment. Given lead pulling could affect the welfare of patients in a VPs care, clinical implications and opportunities for client education are outlined. Educating clients on humane prevention and modification of lead pulling could make walks easier, safer and more enjoyable, with positive outcomes for clients, canine welfare and the practice.

Perceptions of Australian cattle farmers regarding the impact of pinkeye on farm productivity and animal welfare

Pinkeye (infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, IBK) is an important disease of cattle worldwide. It has a substantial negative impact on farm productivity and is a major cost burden, but specific data on losses are lacking. This study was conducted to understand farmers’ perceptions of the impact of pinkeye on farm productivity and animal welfare, and factors influencing the money farmers estimated spending on pinkeye in 2018. Data were collected by the first Australia-wide online survey on pinkeye. There were 1035 suitable responses analysed for impact on farm productivity. From these 82% of respondents represented farms in southern Australia, 58% reported cattle breeding as their main enterprise, and 89% bred animals on farm. Farmers were more likely to rank the impact of pinkeye on farm productivity as high if they had younger cattle, treated cattle with pinkeye more frequently, and as their herd size increased. Fewer farmers chose pinkeye as an animal welfare concern than as an economic and farm management issue, but overall animal welfare was rated by the greatest number of farmers as a high severity concern (n = 691), followed by decreased sale value and farm profits (n = 561). This suggests a shift in the equipoise between the economics of food animal production and animal welfare expectations. The median amount reportedly spent on pinkeye in 2018 by Australian farmers (n = 779) was $250.00 per farm. Farmers reported spending more money on pinkeye as herd size and number of cattle affected by pinkeye increased, their perception of pinkeye impact on farm productivity and animal welfare increased, if they treated pinkeye more frequently, reported higher fly worry, if their herds contained Angus cattle, if they bred on farm, and if they were located in southern Australian regions. Study findings should be used to better understand pinkeye, target expenditure, and improve outcomes for cattle and farmers.

A survey exploring the impact of housing and husbandry on pet snake welfare

AbstractSnake ownership is popular; however, housing and care may not always satisfy the animal's welfare needs. For example, snakes are often kept in environmental conditions that restrict their ability to stretch out fully or move around, using rectilinear locomotion. To date, little empirical data exist on the housing and husbandry of captive snakes and how these impact welfare. This study analyses survey responses from 744 snake owners worldwide and explores potential welfare concerns for snakes kept within private homes. It documents the most common housing and husbandry methods and compares the three most common families (Pythonids, Boids and Colubrids). Owner-reported data were used to derive scores for two potential welfare indicators: number of clinical signs of ill health and the number of reported negative (abnormal) behaviours. Using these indicators, associations were tested with snake-keeping variables, such as enclosure size, level of enrichment, temperature and humidity. Owners reported that 90.7% (n = 675) of snakes adopted rectilinear (straight-line or near straight-line) positions or movements. Snakes kept in enclosures &gt; 1 snake length tended to have more enrichment types and were reported with fewer clinical signs of ill health. Some snakes were housed at unknown temperature (7.7%) or humidity (48.1%) ranges or in environmental conditions not in keeping with current recommended guidelines. Corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) were the most likely species to be kept at a humidity which did not match recommendations which may present a welfare concern. This study's results can be used to target husbandry guidance for future recommendations and care manuals.

Efforts to improve the economy of rural communities through the development of Banjarandap tourism management strategies

Tourism development requires strategic management in order to improve the economy of the community. The same commitment and vision must be shared by all managing institutions, including tourism awareness groups, village-owned enterprises, youth organizations, and village governments. Institutional management, potential mapping, financial management that has not been systemized, and the lack of a marketing strategy and long-term tourism sustainability are some of the challenges in pioneering and developing Banjarandap tourism. As a result, efforts have been made to establish an institutional structure, the formation of a vision and mission, potential mapping, licensing of tourist sites, management of tourism development strategies, financial management training and assistance, marketing training and assistance, and long-term sustainability through the use of technology. The contributions and benefits obtained by partners and the community are improving the quality of sustainable village tourism management, improving socio-economic conditions, improving morals and character, as well as community education through mutual cooperation and mutual concern for welfare and peace in Banjaran Village.

Purchasing Habits, Sustainability Perceptions, and Welfare Concerns of Italian Consumers Regarding Rabbit Meat.

Several factors drive consumer behavior in buying meat, particularly rabbit meat. The consumption of rabbits has decreased in Europe, and the main causes of this trend are an increasing association with the perception of rabbits as pets, consumers’ changes in lifestyle, and eating habits. Additionally, increasing attention is paid to ethical issues regarding animal welfare. Investigating consumers’ knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about rabbit meat production and consumption are crucial for improving market strategies. This study investigated consumers’ perspectives of rabbit meat to provide useful information to producers for promoting this sector to consumers. A mixed-methods research design was applied. Qualitative data were collected through four focus group discussions involving 32 consumers and quantitative data through a semi-structured questionnaire administered nationally and completed by 1001 consumers. The limited use of antibiotics in inbreeding and the absence of animal suffering are factors that most influence consumers’ willingness to purchase rabbit meat. Rural/domestic farms were recognized as places where animal welfare measures can be applied and have a positive influence not only on organoleptic quality but also on ethical value and food safety. The cage was perceived as unsuitable for rabbit growth and was oriented to a process of fattening based on industrial feed and antibiotics. Respondents sought information on rabbit farming during purchase, and the label was the most used tool. The rabbit meat production sector should consider these results to meet consumers’ demands and raise awareness among operators on the use of animal welfare-based farming systems, helping to build a more positive image of the rabbit meat industry.

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Test is Not the Test to Use in Nonclinical Safety Assessment.

Ototoxicity and ocular toxicity screening are but two examples of specialty product lines that are often employed as Tier II or III nonclinical safety/hazard screening assessments. Compared to the regulatory guidelines that govern over standard toxicology or neurotoxicology programs, there is a paucity of regulatory strategies to address these specialized product lines. With respect to ototoxicity testing, we argue for the inclusion of the "least burdensome principles" adopted by the US FDA in providing the most pragmatic, efficient, and directed identification of potential harm to auditory function in the nonclinical safety arena. We argue for the exclusive use of the auditory brainstem response and the exclusion of the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in these Tiered II safety assessment programs. The inclusion of both are a burden on operational staff and, due to the extended episodes of anesthesia required to conduct both assays, this strategy poses a health and welfare concern for the selected animal species to be used. The DPOAE does not provide any sufficiently valid or reliable data above and beyond the gold standard ABR data, followed by complete oto-histopathology and cytocochleogram combination designs.

Purchase Intention on Sustainable products: A Case study on Free-Range Eggs in Taiwan

ABSTRACT Increasing of awareness on healthy and friendly environmentally products such as free-range eggs has become a concern of consumers in over the world including for Taiwanese consumers. There are many motives of free-range egg purchase, but this study only discussed four aspects, i.e. health consciousness, food safety concern, animal welfare concern, and price. This study examined the importance of those aspects and examined the relationship with purchase intention. The study was conducted on 228 Taiwanese respondents through an online survey held on November 2020 and February 2021. This study found that health consciousness was the main factor for Taiwanese consumers to choose free-range eggs followed by food safety concern, price and animal welfare concern. Health consciousness, food safety concern and the concern to animal welfare positively influenced the purchase intention, while price did not significantly influence the purchase intention. Females, the higher income level, and the respondents that cook more frequently have higher intention to buy free-range eggs, while the differences in age, educational levels, and number of family members do not influence the purchase intention.

181 Evaluation of the Fecal Microbiota in Commercial Sows with Variable Risk for Pelvic Organ Prolapse During Late Gestation

Abstract Sow mortality has increased during the last decade with a large portion due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) manifesting during late gestation and early lactation. Approximately 21% of sow mortality is attributed to POP, creating a significant economic and animal welfare concern. The study objective was to identify differences in sow fecal microbiota associated with POP risk and to determine if fecal and vaginal microbial communities are correlated. Using an established perineal scoring (PS) system, 2,864 sows were assigned PS1 (low), PS2 (moderate), or PS3 (high) based on phenotypic observations and presumed POP risk during gestation week 15. Of those sows scored, 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, and PS3 assigned sows, respectively, subsequently experienced POP. At the time of scoring, fecal swabs were collected from sows (n = 213) and DNA was extracted for 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing, and analyzed using mothur, phyloseq and SAS. Additionally, co-occurrence networks were constructed between fecal and vaginal microbial communities using CoNet (V1.1.1), to identify correlations in taxa abundance. Differences in fecal community composition (PERMANOVA; P &amp;lt; 0.05), structure (alpha diversity measurements; P &amp;lt; 0.05), and 13 individual operational taxonomic units (OTU; Q &amp;lt; 0.05) were detected between PS1 and PS3 sows. The abundance of several taxa were correlated across sample collection sites, suggesting the fecal and vaginal microbial communities may influence one another. Collectively, fewer differences exist in fecal microbiota in sows differing risk for POP than previously observed in vaginal microbiota, suggesting the vaginal microbial communities may be a better indicator of POP risk. Understanding correlations between the fecal and vaginal microbial communities may provide strategies or targets for combatting POP. This project was supported by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

In pursuit of a better broiler: welfare and productivity of slower-growing broiler breeders during lay

Current commercial strains of broiler breeders display reproductive dysregulation when fed to satiety, but they can achieve optimal hatching egg production under feed restriction. However, chronic feed restriction in broiler breeders is a welfare concern due to physiological and behavioral signs of hunger, lack of satiety, and frustrated feeding motivation. The purpose of this study was to assess the welfare and productivity of slower-growing broiler breeders during lay. A total of 336 broiler breeders from 5 strains of slower-growing broiler breeders (3 female strains: 100 hens per strain, and 2 male strains: 12 and 24 roosters per strain) were kept in 12 identical pens throughout lay, 4 pens per combination of roosters and hens: A hens with Y roosters, B hens with Y roosters, and C hens with X roosters. According to guidelines, strain B and C hens and X roosters were slower growing strains and strain A hens and Y roosters were intermediate growing strains. Egg production was recorded daily, and settable eggs laid at 30, 40, and 50 wk of age were incubated to hatch. Growth rate, feed and water intake, and welfare indicators (feeding motivation, behavior, and physical assessment: feather coverage, foot and leg health, and keel bone status) were recorded during lay. Additionally, a subsample of 5 hens per pen was dissected for anatomical analyses. Laying rate started and peaked earlier in B hens than in A hens and remained above 70% in both strains, yielding high cumulative egg production (>165 eggs/hen) until 53 wk of age. Until 50 wk of age, fertility and hatched of fertile was high in slower growing broiler breeders, on average, above 95 and 80%, respectively. Compared to A hens, B and C hens had better feather coverage, lower feeding motivation, and lower daily water and feed intake. Results of this study suggest that slower growing broiler breeders show reduced signs of poor welfare and improved productivity during lay although susceptibility to obesity-related problems on laying rate may be strain-specific.

Importance of substrate on welfare in swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) culture: A territorial behavior perspective

Concern for animal welfare in aquaculture is increasing. Environmental enrichment (EE) is an effective means to improve the welfare of animals, which is linked to their behavior. Territorial behavior includes interactions between animals and their environment and conspecifics, and can directly reflect the welfare status of cultured animals. To explore the influence of different substate, an important influence factor of EE, on welfare of swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus), a behavior acquisition system was established. Moving trajectory, territory size, time budgeting, total number of territorial behaviors, and bouts of crabs in EE groups (sand substrate, sand and shell mixed substrate, and shell substate) and the control (hard bottom) group were calculated and analyzed. Furthermore, the territorial behavior score of crabs was calculated using PCA to estimate territoriality. According to the results, the presence of substrate EE effectively reduced the territoriality of the swimming crabs, and sand as substrate affected most significantly. In the control group, stereotypical behaviors of crabs (repeated movements for long periods) indicated a low welfare level. In the EE group, interactions with the substrate, including burying behavior, digging, etc., revealed a higher behavioral diversity, which demonstrated that a suitable EE could effectively improve the welfare of swimming crabs. In general, from the perspective of territorial behavior, the presence of substrate, especially sand, was an effective means of improving the welfare of cultured swimming crabs.