Papers by Michele Panzera
Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2013
Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number... more Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different exp...
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Feb 1, 2022
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Feb 1, 2022
International journal of tryptophan research, 2020
The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) wa... more The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) was associated with the presence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) in laying hens. FPD birds (n = 20) and healthy individuals (n = 22) were included. Plasma 5-HT was investigated. FPD laying hens showed significantly higher 5-HT levels (median = 6 µmol/L) compared with healthy individuals (median = 4.28 µmol/L, P < .001). When present, FPD were scored as either 1 (n = 12) indicating mildly to moderately abnormal or 2 indicating severely abnormal (n = 8). The subjects whose lesions scored 2 had higher plasma 5-HT levels than those whose lesions scored 1. Inflammatory mechanisms seem to be related to plasma 5-HT levels in laying hens. Assessing plasma 5-HT could be useful to evaluate chicken welfare.
Pet behaviour science, Dec 20, 2017
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
This study aimed to describe the incidence and characteristics of dog-bite injury hospitalization... more This study aimed to describe the incidence and characteristics of dog-bite injury hospitalizations (DBIH) in the largest administrative region of Italy (Sicily) over the 10-year period: 2012-2021. Four hundred and forty-nine cases were analyzed. Patients were divided into seven age groups: preschoolers (0–5 years), school-age children (6–12 years), teenagers (13–19 years), young adults (20–39 years), middle-aged adults (40–59 years), old adults (60–74 years), and the elderly (≥75 years). Association among categorical variables (age, gender, principal injury location) was evaluated using chi-square tests, and mean differences for normally distributed variables were assessed using one-way analysis of variance. Finally, a Poisson regression general linear model (GLM) analysis was used to model incidence data. The results revealed that the incidence of DBIH per 100,000 population increased from 0.648 in 2012 (95%CI 0.565–0.731) to 1.162 in 2021 (95%CI 1.078–1.247, P < 0.01). Incidenc...
Animals
The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. Howev... more The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th–11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann–Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found in Group B with monocytes (r = 0....
Proceedings of the 11th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting, 14-16th September 2017, Samorin, Slovakia, 2017
Physiology & Behavior, 2019
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraspecific social exposure (socialization... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraspecific social exposure (socialization vs rest) and habituation factors on the levels of urinary serotonin [corrected respectively for creatinine to give the serotonin-creatinine ratio (5-HT/Cr) and cortisol-creatinine ratio (C/Cr)] and how they fluctuate in dogs. The frequency of marking during social sessions was recorded to evaluate its relationship with physiological parameters. The effects of covariates on 5-HT/Cr and C/Cr were assessed using a linear mixed models. 5-HT/Cr values were higher at dawn than at dusk during resting days, however, this difference is less evident after socialization sessions. During rest days, there was a trend for a decrease in C/Cr between dawn and dusk, while during social exposure days there was an opposite trend. Significant interactions were found between social exposure vs rest (P=0.0005) and social exposure vs sessions (P=0.002). Urine marking was more frequent in male than female dogs. The frequency of urine marking also appeared to be positively associated with C/Cr. Non-invasive monitoring of physiological markers could be a useful tool in assessing behaviour modulation following intraspecific socialization exposure. C/Cr was characterized by high individual variability and interactions with examined factors. The identification of new markers such as serotonin for assessing welfare in dogs is highly desirable.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2019
The potential role of serotonin (5-HT) as a marker for identifying sensitivity to clinical diseas... more The potential role of serotonin (5-HT) as a marker for identifying sensitivity to clinical diseases or behavioral disorders and for monitoring treatment emphasizes the need for reference values of serum 5-HT in dogs. Preanalytical factors such as patient variables, time of sample collection, specimen handling, storage time, and temperature can potentially cause variations to laboratory results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate canine serum 5-HT concentration measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and to propose standardized preanalytical conditions. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein, between 9.00 AM and 11.00 AM, from 120 healthy fasted dogs; the samples were then stored into anticoagulant-free tubes and centrifuged. The serum was stocked at À20 C and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay within 3 months from collection. Because the results were not normally distributed in the reference population, the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles were calculated to characterize the 95% reference intervals (201-650 ng/mL, 361 median). For statistical analysis, the results were organized into 3 different groups based on the age of the dogs: 1-2 years old (n ¼ 35), 3-7 years (n ¼ 43), and 8-12 years (n ¼ 42). 5-HT levels were higher in 3-7 years group than in other age groups, but no significant age-related dissimilarities were found (Kruskal-Wallis test, P ¼ 0.08). The results of the present study contributed to establish reference intervals for serum 5-HT in dogs which could support both clinical researchers and veterinary behaviorists in designing studies and monitoring the effects of medications. Furthermore, we provide recommendations to decrease 5-HT measurement variation depending on preanalytical factors, to improve reliability and validity of serum measurements.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2017
ABSTRACT The monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine [5‐HT]) is involved in neu... more ABSTRACT The monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine [5‐HT]) is involved in neuronal excitability, regulates mood and cognition, and is implicated in the regulation of a wide range of social behavior. Understanding its role in social behavior would be useful in understanding and improving human‐animal interactions, in particular, the human‐dog interaction. Examination of canine social behavior is crucial for screening shelter dogs to be placed for adoption or for identifying dogs that need behavioral intervention. Behavior problems in dogs can arise because of long‐term stays in shelters. The aim of this study was to determine whether serum 5‐HT is related to behavioral responses in shelter dogs. Fourteen mixed‐breed castrated male dogs, with no signs of aggressive behavior toward humans, were selected for exploring the relationship between 5‐HT and social behavior in dogs. These dogs were individually observed by an operator during a sociability toward humans test, and their behavioral responses toward the operator were evaluated using a simple test constituted by 7 episodes: Operator approaches the door of the pen, coaxes the dog, attempts to sit the dog and ask for its forelimb, attempts to put a collar on the dog, walks with the dog on a leash, throws a tennis ball against a wall and plays alone, and throws the tennis ball and invites the dog to play with him once. Each episode was scored from 2 to 8, with low scores representing the most fearful dogs. Blood samples were drawn from the cephalic vein during routine health checks, and some serum was retained for 5‐HT analysis. A weak linear correlation between the behavioral scores from operator‐dog interactions and 5‐HT levels (r2 = 0.31, P < 0.05) was found. According to these preliminary data, markers of the serotoninergic system could be related to the sociability of dogs toward humans.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2015
Abstract In animals, recent studies have shown a dynamic interaction between neuroendocrine-immun... more Abstract In animals, recent studies have shown a dynamic interaction between neuroendocrine-immune systems and consequent behaviors, resulting in adaptive responses to different stimuli. Stereotypic oral and locomotor behaviors are common among intensively managed horses; however, little is known about how or whether immune responses affect such abnormal repetitive behaviors. Cytokines can be classified as proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory and they can affect brain development, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. In humans and rodents, there is some evidence that cytokines can impair behavior. Our study compared leukocyte gene expression of cytokines of horses with stereotypic behavior with those exhibiting normal behavior. Blood samples were collected from 22 horses: 8 non-stereotypic controls (group C), 8 cribbers (group CR), and 6 weavers (group W). Leukocyte counts were obtained using an automated cell counter. Expression of some proinflammatory [interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. No differences in body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, total proteins in serum, or leukocyte counts were found. A significant effect of group was found for IL-4, IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA), and TNF-α mRNA. Group CR and group W showed a similar profile of cytokines expression. The results of this study show that there are differences in cytokine mRNA expression between non-stereotypic and stereotypic horses which could be related to a different activation of the immune system.
Biomedical science and engineering, Feb 12, 2020
The pain in animals is typically inferred on the basis of nonverbal behavior. The proposed model ... more The pain in animals is typically inferred on the basis of nonverbal behavior. The proposed model is based on the bioengineering principle that structure determines function. Basic functional homologies can be mapped in the brain regions directly responsible for the sensation of painful stimuli and their representation in the limbic circuits of the sentience.
Relations, 2013
The welfare status of an animal represents the integrated outcome of all sensory and other neural... more The welfare status of an animal represents the integrated outcome of all sensory and other neural inputs from within its body and from the environment. These inputs are processed and interpreted by the animal’s brain according to its species-specific and individual nature and experiences, and then are perceived consciously. That being said, for an animal to be able to perceive states that we believe would reflect its welfare, the animal must be alive and conscious, and it must also be sentient. Previous studies, which I cite and describe further later in this paper, show that the brains of animals, especially mammals, have enough complexity to process mental states. The mental abilities of an animal arise as a result of sensory and other neural inputs linked to nutritional, environmental, health and behavioral components of physical or functional abilities. They are also linked to cognitive-neural inputs and activity related to external challenge. All of these components are integra...
IRENE - Interdisciplinary Researches on Ethics and the Natural Environment, 2013
There have been several studies focusing on dog's bite injuries and their epidemiology. To ou... more There have been several studies focusing on dog's bite injuries and their epidemiology. To our knowledge, the incidence and characteristics of hospitalization after a dog's bite injury have not been examined quantitatively in Italy. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and characteristics of dog's bite hospitalizations throughout Sicily (Italy) between 2012‑2015. Data for statistical analysis were acquired through the Epidemiological Observatory and Health Department of Sicilian Region (Italy). One hundred and forty records with E‑code 906.0 (dog's bites) were extracted from 214 cases of hospitalization due to lesions caused by animals. The age group most frequently injured by dogs was children between 0 and 9 years old. The distribution of bite incidences among males and females was similar in children between 0 and 15 years and in elderly adults between 60‑84 years old; whereas it was statistically different in adults between 16‑59 years, 66% males a...
The aim of the present study was to measure the serum total proteins and the serum protein fracti... more The aim of the present study was to measure the serum total proteins and the serum protein fractions (albumin, α1-, α2-, β-and γ-globulins) of ten newborn lambs (Comisana breed) during the first 30 days of life in order to obtain useful information for neonatal care. From each animal, blood samples were collected via jugular venepuncture at the same hour (9.00) every 3 days for 30 days starting from birth (day 0). The concentrations of serum total proteins and albumin, α1-, α2-, β-, γ-globulins and albumin/globulins ratio were determined using an automated electrophoresis system. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni test was used to determine significant differences between mean values of the studied parameters from the 1st to the 30th day of the experimental period. Data analysis of variance showed a statistical effect of days of life on total proteins, albumin, α1-globulins, β-globulins, γ-globulins and albumin/globulins ratio during the first 30 days of life (P<0.0001), while no statistical significant effect of days of life was observed on α2-globulins during the experimental period (P=0.27). The obtained results indicated that passive transfer status, determined from serum immunoglobulin concentration 24 h after birth, is a significant source of variation in pre-weaning growth performance in dairy lambs. These finding make a contribution to the knowledge of physiological adaptation in lambs during the first 30 days of life and give useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal diseases.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
The monitoring of endocrine and immunologic markers during exercise is of paramount importance to... more The monitoring of endocrine and immunologic markers during exercise is of paramount importance to assess and/or maintain the physical well-being of athletes as well as to optimize the athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the linkage between acute stress response and immune status in Thoroughbred horses competing in an official 1300-m race. From 10 horses blood was collected 1 week before the day of the race (1W-BEFORE), before (REST) and immediately after the race to assess the cortisol, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), total proteins, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) concentration. Higher levels of cortisol, Il-1Ra, WBC and erythrocytes indices after exercise was found than 1W-BEFORE and REST (P < 0.0001). Cortisol concentration was positively correlated with Il-1Ra, WBC, RBC, Hb and Hct. Overall, the findings suggest that submaximal exercise induces an acute stress response and an immune system reaction in athletic horse. Also, the correlation found between cortisol levels and Il-1Ra, WBC and erythrocytes indices open new scenario on the positive role of this hormone on the complex and dynamic physiological adaptation to exercise implemented by the organism to re-establish the homeostatic equilibrium, and, interestingly, to maintain an adequate anti-inflammatory environment after exercise.
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Papers by Michele Panzera