- Email: [email protected]
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Abstracts 36 THE HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIP IN SWINE PRODUCTION: INFLUENCE ON THE NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM L. Moscati*, L. Battistacci, M. Sensi, F. Biancifiori Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche, Pergia, Italy *Corresponding author: [email protected] Animal fear of stock people is directly related to chronic stress which can progressively limit the animal’s growth and reproductive performance. The object of the study was to evaluate the relationship between production performance, non-specific immune system function and fear of stock people in a group of sows. Sixty sows between 30 and 90 days of gestation were studied in a modern swine production farm with poor husbandry and handling practices. Three groups were defined and classified as described by Hemsworth: fearful, timorous and trusting. The following parameters were evaluated: • total number of piglets and number born alive • P2 thickness at the time of delivery • Non–specific immunity parameters such as serum lysozyme, serum bactericidal activity, and total hemolytic complement Sows classified as fearful showed a significant alteration in serum bactericidal activity as well as a lower degree of back-fat thickness than timorous and trusting subjects. They achieved a productive performance far below the other two groups both in total piglets born per litter and in piglets born alive per litter. Lysozyme and complement values were barely affected. The results support the hypothesis of a relationship between variation in production performance, non-specific immune system function and fear of stock people in the sows tested. Key words: swine welfare; stress; production; husbandry; immune
37 THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCY IN THE TRAINING OF DOGS. THE EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT, REWARDS, RULE STRUCTURES AND ATTITUDE ON OBEDIENCE AND PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN DOGS. G.E. Eskeland1,*, R.H. Tillung2, M. Bakken3 1 University of Southampton, School of Psychology, Animal Behaviour Programme, Southampton, UK 2 Fjellanger Hundeskole AS, Lysekloster, Norway 3 University of Life Science, Dept of Animal & Aquacultural Sciences, IHA, Ås, Norway *Corresponding author: [email protected] Research has shown that aversives can induce problem behaviors and put dogs’ welfare at risk. The aim of this study was to examine whether punishment was a risk
99 factor for problem behaviors, and how reward, punishment, attitude and rule structure (permissiveness-strictness, consistency) in combination affect obedience and specific problem behaviors. In addition, we looked at gender effects of training methods. The method of training, attitude, level of obedience and problem behaviors were collected through a questionnaire of 217 questions. Relationships between behavior of the dog and the training methods were examined. The owner’s rule structure (permissiveness-strictness) score was compared with the dog’s behavior, and a significant increase in obedience and lesser training problems were found with increased control. Punishers, i.e., dog owners that used a high harshness or frequency of punishment and several methods of punishment, had a significantly higher level of training problems and lower obedience, while the use of frequent rewards was correlated significantly with lower level of training problems and higher level of obedience. In the problem behavior group, increased control was related to high trainability, decreased fear of strangers and reduced non-social fear. The findings suggest that rule structure is a useful tool to achieve an obedient dog, but seems to be dependent on use of a low level of punishment in the training program. Key words: dog; training; reward; consistency; punishment
38 THE POLYPHENOLS GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT AND RESVERATROL AS NEUROPROTECTORS IN BRAIN AGING OF DOGS AND CATS: A REVIEW Alda Miolo1,*, Giovanni Re2 1 CeDIS, Innovet Italia Srl, Rubano, Italy. 2 Department of Animal Pathology, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy. * Corresponding author: [email protected] The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the mechanisms of action, clinical and experimental data of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and resveratrol, particularly focusing on their potential neuroprotective benefits. A search of the database Medline (1966 - 2006) was performed, using the following keywords: Ginkgo biloba, resveratrol, brain aging, neuroprotection, cognitive impairment, dogs, cats. A large number of studies on both polyphenols were identified. Out of 422 papers on EGb, 36 clinical trials, 6 meta-analyses, and 238 animal studies were identified. EGb emerged as exerting several neuroprotective activities: (i) neuronal protection against oxidative stress and beta-amyloid induced apoptosis, (ii) improvement in cerebral blood flow and (iii) prevention of decline in muscarinic receptors. Clinical trials have shown the neuroprotective benefits of EGb on signs associated with cognitive deficits in the elderly, both in
37 THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCY IN THE TRAINING OF DOGS. THE EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT, REWARDS, RULE STRUCTURES AND ATTITUDE ON OBEDIENCE AND PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN DOGS. G.E. Eskeland1,*, R.H. Tillung2, M. Bakken3 1 University of Southampton, School of Psychology, Animal Behaviour Programme, Southampton, UK 2 Fjellanger Hundeskole AS, Lysekloster, Norway 3 University of Life Science, Dept of Animal & Aquacultural Sciences, IHA, Ås, Norway *Corresponding author: [email protected] Research has shown that aversives can induce problem behaviors and put dogs’ welfare at risk. The aim of this study was to examine whether punishment was a risk
99 factor for problem behaviors, and how reward, punishment, attitude and rule structure (permissiveness-strictness, consistency) in combination affect obedience and specific problem behaviors. In addition, we looked at gender effects of training methods. The method of training, attitude, level of obedience and problem behaviors were collected through a questionnaire of 217 questions. Relationships between behavior of the dog and the training methods were examined. The owner’s rule structure (permissiveness-strictness) score was compared with the dog’s behavior, and a significant increase in obedience and lesser training problems were found with increased control. Punishers, i.e., dog owners that used a high harshness or frequency of punishment and several methods of punishment, had a significantly higher level of training problems and lower obedience, while the use of frequent rewards was correlated significantly with lower level of training problems and higher level of obedience. In the problem behavior group, increased control was related to high trainability, decreased fear of strangers and reduced non-social fear. The findings suggest that rule structure is a useful tool to achieve an obedient dog, but seems to be dependent on use of a low level of punishment in the training program. Key words: dog; training; reward; consistency; punishment
38 THE POLYPHENOLS GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT AND RESVERATROL AS NEUROPROTECTORS IN BRAIN AGING OF DOGS AND CATS: A REVIEW Alda Miolo1,*, Giovanni Re2 1 CeDIS, Innovet Italia Srl, Rubano, Italy. 2 Department of Animal Pathology, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy. * Corresponding author: [email protected] The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the mechanisms of action, clinical and experimental data of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and resveratrol, particularly focusing on their potential neuroprotective benefits. A search of the database Medline (1966 - 2006) was performed, using the following keywords: Ginkgo biloba, resveratrol, brain aging, neuroprotection, cognitive impairment, dogs, cats. A large number of studies on both polyphenols were identified. Out of 422 papers on EGb, 36 clinical trials, 6 meta-analyses, and 238 animal studies were identified. EGb emerged as exerting several neuroprotective activities: (i) neuronal protection against oxidative stress and beta-amyloid induced apoptosis, (ii) improvement in cerebral blood flow and (iii) prevention of decline in muscarinic receptors. Clinical trials have shown the neuroprotective benefits of EGb on signs associated with cognitive deficits in the elderly, both in