Influence of space allowance on the welfare of weaned buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) calves

Twenty weaned female buffalo calves were used to evaluate the effect of space allowance in relation to their body surface area on a range of behavioural and physiological parameters. Body surface area in m2 was calculated as 0.12 body weight0.60. Ten calves received 50% of body surface as space allocation (Group 50), 10 others received 90% of body surface area (Group 90). Animals in Group 50 lay with a lower number of outstretched legs than calves in Group 90. Buffaloes from Group 50 were observed standing more frequently than animals from Group 90 ( P < 0.001). The proportions of idling ( P < 0.01) and lying idle observations ( P < 0.001) were higher for Group 90 than for Group 50. Group 90 performed a higher number of non-agonistic interactions than Group 50 ( P < 0.01), whereas the opposite was observed for the number of agonistic interactions ( P < 0.01). When exposed to open field testing, Group 50 animals displayed an increased duration of movement, number of galloping events and more vocalisation. Neither immune responses to phytohemagglutinin and ovalbumin nor the cortisol response to exogenous ACTH were affected by treatment. It was concluded that 50% of body surface area may be an inadequate space allowance for weaned calves

The qualitative assessment of responsiveness to environmental challenge in horses and ponies.

The responsiveness of 10 horses and 10 ponies to environmental challenge (represented by an open field test) was assessed using a qualitative approach based on free choice profiling methodology (FCP), which gives observers complete freedom to choose their own descriptive terms. Data were analysed with generalised Procrustes analysis (GPA), a multivariate statistical technique associated with FCP. A cross-validation of the outcomes of this approach to data recorded through quantitative behaviour analysis, and through a questionnaire given to the animals’ owner/riding instructor, was also performed using principal component analysis (PCA). Twelve undergraduate students generated their own descriptive vocabularies, by watching 20 horse/pony video clips lasting 2.5 min each. GPA showed that the consensus profile explained a high percentage of variation among the 12 observers, and differed significantly from the mean randomised profile ( p < 0.001). Two main dimensions of the consensus profile were identified, explaining 60% and 5.2% of the variation between animals, respectively. The 12 observer word charts interpreting these dimensions were semantically consistent, as they all converged towards the same meaning, albeit using different terms. The most used term to describe the positive end of axis 1 was ‘‘quiet’’, whereas ‘‘attentive’’ was the best positive descriptor of axis 2. The most frequently used descriptors for the negative ends of axes 1 and 2 were ‘‘nervous’’ and ‘‘bored’’, respectively. Thus, axis 1 was labelled as ‘‘quiet/nervous’’ and axis 2 was named as ‘‘attentive/bored’’. A marked effect of animal category was observed on the scores of the animals on the first dimension ( p < 0.001). Horses received significantly higher scores, and were thus assessed as more quiet and calm, than ponies. Conversely, ponies tended to receive lower scores on the second dimension ( p < 0.12), therefore they appeared less curious and attentive. The results of the PCA showed that the variables from different types of measurement clearly had meaningful relationships. For instance, the variables with the highest loading on the positive end of axis 1 were all indicative of tractable and docile animals, whereas axis 2 showed high loadings on the positive end for variables indicating attentive animals. Qualitative behaviour assessment proved to be an appropriate methodology for the study of horse behavioural responsiveness, in that it provided a multifaceted characterisation of horse behavioural expression that was in agreement with other quantitative and subjective assessments of the animals’ behaviour

On the development of a monitoring scheme of buffalo welfare at farm level

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Contribution of KRAS mutations and c.2369C > T (p.T790M) EGFR to acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in EGFR mutant NSCLC: a study on circulating tumor DNA

INTRODUCTION: KRAS oncogene mutations (MUTKRAS) drive resistance to EGFR inhibition by providing alternative signaling as demonstrated in colo-rectal cancer. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the efficacy of treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) depends on activating EGFR mutations (MUTEGFR). However, inhibition of EGFR may select resistant cells displaying alternative signaling, i.e., KRAS, or restoration of EGFR activity due to additional MUTEGFR, i.e., the c.2369C &gt; T (p.T790MEGFR). AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the appearance of MUTKRAS during EGFR-TKI treatment and their contribution to drug resistance. METHODS: This study used cell-free circulating tumor DNA (cftDNA) to evaluate the appearance of codon 12 MUTKRAS and p.T790MEGFR mutations in 33 advanced NSCLC patients progressing after an EGFR-TKI. RESULTS: p.T790MEGFR was detected in 11 (33.3%) patients, MUTKRAS at codon 12 in 3 (9.1%) while both p.T790MEGFR and MUTKRAS codon 12 were found in 13 (39.4%) patients. Six patients (18.2%) were KRAS wild-type (WTKRAS) and negative for p.T790MEGFR. In 8 subjects paired tumor re-biopsy/plasma samples were available; the percent concordance of tissue/plasma was 62.5% for p.T790MEGFR and 37.5% for MUTKRAS. The analysis of time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) in WTKRAS vs. MUTKRAS were not statistically different, even if there was a better survival with WTKRAS vs. MUTKRAS, i.e., TTP 14.4 vs. 11.4 months (p = 0.97) and OS 40.2 vs. 35.0 months (p = 0.56), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MUTKRAS could be an additional mechanism of escape from EGFR-TKI inhibition and cftDNA is a feasible approach to monitor the molecular development of drug resistance

Influence of space restriction on welfare of weaned buffalo calves

Twenty female buffalo calves were used to study the effect of two space allowances (50% and 90% of body surface area per animal, Group 50 and Group 90 respectively) on behavioural and immune variables for a period of 30 weeks. Group 50 was observed more active (standing, idling, feeding) than Group 90. When exposed to the open field test, Group 50 displayed increased levels of locomotion, galloping and vocalisation. In vivo cell-mediated immune response to PHA injection was not influenced by space allowance. Behavioural recordings indicated that 50% of body surface area may be an inadequate space allowance for weaned calves

Influence of space restriction on welfare of weaned buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Firenze Ital

The qualitative assessment of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) behaviour

The aim of the present study was to test the applicability of qualitative behaviour assessment to buffalo. Eight buffalo heifers aged 16-18 months were individually filmed both in their indoor home pen and in an unfamiliar outdoor pen for 2.5 min where a still and unknown person was located. Eleven animal scientists from 6 different European countries were instructed to provide qualitative assessment of in- and outdoor videos using Free Choice Profiling methodology, which allows observers to generate their own descriptive vocabulary. Three data sets were generated: 1 for animals tested indoor, 1 for the same subjects tested outdoor and 1 obtained merging these two (indoor + outdoor). They were analysed with Generalized Procrustes Analysis, a multivariate technique which does not require fixed variables. All three analyses showed significant consensus among observers (P<0.001). The 2 main dimensions of the consensus profile of indoor, outdoor and merged data explained 53.9 and 13.8, 49.2 and 15.4 and 53.2 and 10.6 % of the total variation, respectively. In all three profiles observers characterised the first dimension of these consensus profiles in terms of an animal’s activity level (e.g. as ‘agitated’, ‘active’ or ‘relaxed’) and the second one in terms of its level of confidence (e.g. as ‘perky’, ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘afraid’). These 2 main dimensions provided good discrimination between individual buffaloes. Results of the merged data showed that in the outdoor condition animals scored more highly on the first dimension (being more restless and explorative) than in the indoor home pen. There was no difference between in- and outdoor scores on the second dimension. We concluded that behavioural patterns as described by qualitative assessment may be effectively used for the evaluation of buffalo welfare

On the development of a monitoring scheme of buffalo at farm level

In the present review some animal-related indicators possibly relevant for a monitoring scheme of buffalo cow welfare at farm level are suggested. The indicators are discussed on the basis of their validity (meaningful with respect to animal welfare), reliability (reflecting the tendency to give the same results on repeated measurements) and feasibility (concerning time and money consume). The attention was focussed on the following indicators: excessive thinning or fattening assessed with Body Condition Score (BCS) systems; cleanliness; lameness; resting, social, oral abnormal behaviours; injuries; stockmanship; animal-human relationship; positive indicators (diversity of lying postures, allogrooming, etc.). We conclude that some of the indicators validated for cattle could be conveniently applied to buffaloes without changes (e.g. injuries and avoidance distance), others should be appropriately adjusted to this species (e.g. BCS, cleanliness, housing factors). In addition, further studies are needed either to find reliable and feasible registration methods for some indicators (e.g. aggressive and resting behaviours) or to identify additional parameters specific for buffaloes (e.g. prevalence of buffalo cows injected with oxytocin during milking as an indicator of the quality of human-animal relationship)

Influence of artificial rearing on behavioral and immune response of lambs

The influence of artificial rearing at different ages was evaluated in Comisana lambs. Animals were assigned to three test groups (2d, 15d and 28d) on the basis of age (2, 15 or 28 days, respectively) at the time of their separation from the ewe, and three corresponding control non-separated groups (2c, 15c and 28c). On the day of separation from their dam, animals were injected i.m. with 250 μg of keyhole limpet hemocyanin in complete Freund's adjuvant. Antibody titers and surface leukocyte antigens were determined at weekly intervals. Group 2d showed a lower antibody response than the corresponding control group (F = 8.0, P < 0.01), whereas groups 15d and 28d did not differ from the control. No significant difference between test and control groups was found in the proportion of cells bearing different surface antigens. Furthermore, lambs were subjected to a behavioral test (isolation from tactile and visual contact with other animals). Younger animals showed reduced duration of movement (162.8 vs. 272.1 and 221.1 s for 2d, 15d and 28d, respectively; U = 21.0, P < 0.01 and U = 30.5,P < 0.05, respectively; Mann-Whitney U test) and enhanced latency time (15.8 vs. 3.4 and 2.3 s for 2d, 15d and 28d, respectively; U = 28.0, P < 0.01 and U = 14.5, P < 0.001, respectively; Mann-WhitneyU test) in comparison with older animals. Cortisol concentration was evaluated immediately before the separation from the mother and 15, 45, 90, 150, and 225 min after. An increased cortisol level was observed in group 2d 15 min after removal from the dam (LSD: P < 0.001), whereas the other two groups did not show any significant increase. In addition, during the first 28 days of age all the animals were weighed at birth and at weekly intervals. When the animals were removed from the mother either at 2 or 15 days of age, the daily weight gain decreased significantly in comparison with the corresponding control groups (107.1 vs. 157.1 g for 2d and 2c, respectively, F = 4.8, P < 0.05; 37.3 vs. 126.8 g for 15d and 15c, respectively, F = 5.8, P < 0.05). In conclusion, early separation from the ewe affects humoral immune response and post-separation performance of lambs as a possible consequence of a reduced ability of young animals to cope with emotional and nutritional stresses