Identifying physiological measures of lifetime welfare status in pigs: exploring the usefulness of haptoglobin, C-reactive protein and hair cortisol sampled at the time of slaughter

Background: Physiological measures indicative of the welfare status of animals during rearing could form part of an abattoir-based animal health and welfare assessment tool. A total of 66 pigs were used in this study, the aim of which was to assess how serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (assessed in 51 pigs), and hair concentrations of cortisol (assessed in 65 pigs), measured at or close to slaughter, reflected welfare-related indicators recorded from the animal during its lifetime. These indicators were recorded at intervals between 7 and 21 weeks of age and included assigning scores for levels of tail and skin lesions, recording the presence or absence of certain health issues, and conducting qualitative behavioural assessments (QBA). Results: Pigs recorded as having tail lesions during their lifetime had higher hair cortisol levels than those with no tail lesions (tail lesions: 47.87 ± 3.34 pg/mg, no tail lesions: 42.20 ± 3.29 pg/mg, P = 0.023), and pigs recorded as having moderate or severe tail lesions had higher Hp levels than those with no or mild tail lesions (moderate/severe: 1.711 mg/ml ± 0.74, none/mild: 0.731 mg/ml ±0.10, P = 0.010). Pigs recorded as being lame during their lifetime tended to have higher hair cortisol levels than non-lame pigs (lame: 52.72 pg/mg ± 3.83, not lame: 43.07 pg/mg ± 2.69, P = 0.062). QBA scores were not associated with any of the physiological measures (P > 0.05). Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analysis was also carried out to get a better understanding of the usefulness of the physiological measures in discriminating animals that had had welfare-related issues recorded during their lifetime from those that had not. Hair cortisol was determined as having ‘moderate’ accuracy in discriminating pigs that were tail bitten on-farm from unbitten pigs (AUC: 0.748) while Hp and CRP were determined to have no meaningful discriminatory ability (AUC < 0.600). Conclusion: This research should be repeated on a larger scale, but the results suggest that hair cortisol measured at slaughter could provide insight into the welfare status of pigs during their lifetime. Hp may be a useful indicator of tail lesions in pigs. However, further research utilising a greater proportion of severely bitten pigs is required before conclusions can be drawn

Las personas que viven con VIH/SIDA y su vínculo con los antirretrovirales provistos por el Programa Nacional en Argentina People living with HIV/AIDS and their link with the antiretrovirals provided by the National Programme in Argentina

El Estado argentino se compromete, mediante la Ley Nacional de SIDA, a suministrar gratuitamente los ARV. Reconociendo la complejidad que envuelve el proceso de gestión de ARV desde Programa Nacional y dando por sentado que las PVVS son el fin último del mismo, se piensa que es fundamental indagar en sus opiniones. El objetivo es explorar el suministro de ARV desde la perspectiva de las PVVS, en un hospital público de Rosario, respecto a: 1) valoración del Programa y de la información recibida, 2) tiempos de espera, 3) la provisión en relación con la disponibilidad de ARV para sostener el tratamiento. Estudio de abordaje cualitativo, con entrevistas durante enero y febrero de 2007, se realizan en presencia de una psicóloga. Se definen criterios de selección de los entrevistados y ejes para las entrevistas. Las PVVS entrevistadas son 15 y opinan con autoridad respecto al Programa, señalando problemas en el suministro de ARV. Reconocen dificultades del sostenimiento en el tiempo en la toma de ARV y sus consecuencias en relación a la muerte y a la calidad de vida. El Programa se caracteriza por convivencia de rasgos que responden a políticas garantizadas por el Estado y a programas que responden a la emergencia. Aparece la necesidad de repensar el Programa como política de salud genuina, considerando a los ARV como medicamentos esenciales.<br>In accordance with the National AIDS Law, the Argentinian State is committed to supply antiretroviral medication (ARV) free of charge. Due to the complexity of the National ARV Program management process, and the fact that people with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are the beneficiaries of the Program, it is considered relevant to ascertain their opinion. The aim of this work is to examine the supply of ARV by the National HIV/AIDS Program, from the perspective of PLHA, in a public hospital of the city of Rosario, in relation to: 1) value of the Program and the information received from it; 2) waiting times; 3) availability of ARV to continue the treatment. It is a qualitative study with interviews during January and February 2007 consisting of structured questions and patient criteria selection, in the presence of a psychologist. 15 PLHA were interviewed and gave their considered opinion about the Program and its background. They acknowledge difficulties in the continuity of ARV treatment and the consequences with respect to death and quality of life. The Program shows the coexistence between characteristics of a policy guaranteed by the state and others from programs that respond to emergencies. It shows the need to rethink the Program as a genuine health policy, considering ARV as essential medicine