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An accurate understanding of boar temperature preferences may allow the swine industry to design and utilize environmental control systems in boar facilities more precisely. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the temperature preferences of sexually mature Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire boars. Eighteen, 8.57 ± 0.10-mo-old boars (N = 6 Duroc, 6 Landrace, and 6 Yorkshire; 186.25 ± 2.25 kg) were individually tested in thermal apparatuses (12.20 m × 1.52 m × 1.86 m) that allowed free choice of their preferred temperature within a 8.92 to 27.92 ºC range. For analyses, the apparatuses were divided into five thermal zones (3.71 m2/thermal zone) with temperature recorded 1.17 m above the floor in the middle of each zone. Target temperatures for thermal zones 1 to 5 were 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 ºC, respectively. All boars were given a 24-h acclimation phase followed by a 24-h testing phase within the thermal apparatuses. Daily feed allotments (3.63 kg/d) were provided to each boar and all boars were allowed to consume all feed prior to entering the thermal apparatus. Water was provided ad libitum within the thermal apparatuses with 1 waterer per thermal zone. During testing, boars were video recorded continuously to evaluate behavior (inactive, active, or other), posture (lying, standing, or other), and thermal zone the boar occupied. All parameters were recorded in 15 min intervals using instantaneous scan sampling. Data were analyzed using GLM in JMP 15. For the analyses, only time spent lying or inactive were used because they were observed most frequently (lying 80.02%, inactive 77.64%) and were deemed to be associated with comfort based on previous research. Percent time spent active (19.73%) or standing (15.87%) were associated with latrine or drinking activity and were too low to accurately analyze as an indicator of thermal preference. Breed did not affect temperature preference (P > 0.05). A cubic regression model determined that boars spent the majority of their time inactive at 25.50 ºC (P < 0.01) and lying (both sternal and lateral) at 25.90 ºC (P < 0.01). These data suggest that boar thermal preferences did not differ by breed and that boars prefer temperatures at the upper end of current guidelines (10.00 to 25.00 ºC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease affects an array of activities in patients' daily lives but measures other than memory are rarely evaluated in animal models. Home cage behavior, however, may provide an opportunity to back translate a variety of measures seen in human disease progression to animal models, providing external and face validity. The aim of this study was to evaluate if home cage measures could indicate disease in the rTg4510 mouse model. We hypothesized that sleep, nesting, and smell discrimination would be altered in mutant mice. Thirty‐two transgenic mice were used in a Latin square design of four genotypes x both sexes x two diets. Half the mice received a doxycycline diet to suppress tauopathy and evaluate tau severity on various measures. At 8‐, 12‐, and 16‐weeks old, 24 h activity/sleep patterns, nest complexity, and odor discrimination were measured. After 16‐weeks, tau concentration in the brain was quantified. Mutant mice had increased tau concentration in brain tissue, but it was reduced by the doxycycline diet. However, only nest complexity was different between mutant mice and controls. Overall, tauopathy in rTg4510 mice does seem to affect these commonly observed symptoms in human patients. However, while running this study, a report showed that the rTg4510 mutant phenotype is not caused by the mutation itself, but confounding factors from transgene insertion. Combined with report findings and our data, the rTg4510 model may not be an ideal model for all aspects of human Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolic heat production of modern pigs has increased by an average of 16%, compared with sows of 30 years ago. Therefore, it is likely that temperature recommendations require updating to meet the needs of modern pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether different reproductive stages of sows altered thermal preference and if current recommendations required updating. Twenty multiparous sows (3.4 ± 1.2 parity) in different reproductive stages (nonpregnant: n = 7; mid-gestation: 58.5 ± 5.68 d, n = 6; and late-gestation: 104.7 ± 2.8 d, n = 7) were tested. Thermal preference was individually tested, and sows could freely choose a temperature, using a thermal gradient between 10.4 and 30.5 °C. Sows were given 24 h to acclimate to the thermal apparatus. Before testing began, sows were given daily feed allotment and returned to the apparatus. Video from the 24-h test period was used to record sow behavior (time spent inactive), posture (upright and sternal and lateral lying), and location using instantaneous scan samples every 15 min. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. A cubic regression model was used to calculate the sow’s most preferred temperature based on the location, or temperature, in which they spent the most time. The preference range was calculated using peak temperature preference ±SE for each sow. The reproductive stage altered where sows spent their time within the thermal gradient (P < 0.01). Late-gestation sows preferred cooler temperatures (14.0 °C) than mid-gestation (14.8 °C; P < 0.01) and nonpregnant sows (14.8 °C; P < 0.01). In summary, sow thermal preferences were within the lower half of the current recommended range (10 to 25 °C). This indicates that temperatures at the higher end of the recommended range could be uncomfortable to sows and that the thermal comfort zone of sows may be narrower than recommendations indicate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal stress can result in productivity losses, morbidity, and mortality if proper management practices are not employed. A basic understanding of the relationship between animals and the thermal environment is crucial to assess the environment's impact on livestock performance. Therefore, the study objective was to evaluate whether different early life thermal stressors (ELTS) altered the temperature preference of pigs later in life. Twelve sows and their litters were randomly exposed to 1 of 3 ELTS treatments from 7 to 9 d of age: early life heat stress (ELHS ; cycling 32 to 38 °C; n = 4), early life cold stress (ELCS ; 25.4±1.1 °C without heating lamp; n = 4), or early life thermoneutral (ELTN ; 25.4±1.1 °C with a heating lamp; n = 4) conditions. From 10 to 20 d, (weaning) all piglets were exposed to ELTN conditions. At weaning, pigs were randomly assigned to groups of 4 of the same sex and ELTS treatment. Temperature preference, where pigs freely choose a temperature, was assessed in 21 groups (n = 7 groups per ELTS treatment) using 1 of 3 thermal gradient apparatuses (22 to 40 °C). Testing began at 26 ± 1.3 d of age to give pigs time to acclimate to solid food after weaning and 1 group per ELTS treatment were tested simultaneously in each apparatus. Pigs were given 24 h to acclimate followed by a 24-h testing period. Behavior (active and inactive), posture (upright, sternal, and lateral lying), and location were documented every 20 min using instantaneous scan samples. Preferred feeding temperature was determined by the latency to empty a feeder in each location. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. A cubic regression model was used to calculate the peak temperature preference of pigs based on the temperature pigs spent most of their time. The preference range was calculated using peak temperature preference ±SE for each ELTS treatment group. Early life thermal stress altered where pigs spent most of their time within the thermal gradient (P = 0.03) with ELTN pigs preferring cooler temperatures (peak preference of 23.8 °C) compared with their ELCS exposed counterparts (peak preference of 26.0 °C; P < 0.01). However, ELHS exposed pigs (peak preference of 25.6 °C) did not differ in their temperature preference compared with ELTN or ELCS exposed counterparts (P > 0.05). In summary, ELCS exposure altered pig temperature preference later in life indicating that ELTS can alter temperature preference in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several management practices and technologies have been developed to mitigate thermal stress in swine. However, recommended temperature thresholds for implementing thermal stress mitigation are variable and may not accurately reflect the thermal requirements of non-pregnant and gestating sows with modern genetics. Therefore, a tool to support environmental management decisions for non-pregnant and gestating sows was created. The decision support tool is based on several published works by our group that characterized responses of non-pregnant, mid-gestation, and late-gestation sows across a wide temperature range. Cool, comfortable, and warm ranges were identified based upon behavioral thermal preferendum, and physiological responses were used to determine mild, moderate, and severe heat stress thresholds. The inflection points of respiration rate and body temperature as a function of dry bulb temperature were used to establish heat stress thresholds by gestation stage. Non-pregnant, mid-gestation, and late-gestation sow mild heat stress thresholds differed (P < 0.05) and occurred at 25.5, 25.1, and 24.0 °C, respectively. Body temperature inflection points indicative of moderate heat stress differed by gestation stage (P < 0.05) and occurred at 28.1, 27.8, and 25.5 °C, respectively. Severe heat stress inflection points were lower (P < 0.05) for late-gestation sows (30.8 °C) but were similar for non-pregnant and mid-gestation sows (32.9 °C). Dewpoint influenced heat stress response for mid- and late-gestation sows (P < 0.05) but did not have an effect on non-pregnant sows (P > 0.05). Heat stress threshold data were integrated with behavioral thermal preferendum data. For non-pregnant and midgestation sows, similar (P > 0.05) cool (< 13.2°C) and comfortable (13.2 to 16.4°C) temperature ranges were observed. However, late-gestation sows had lower (P < 0.05) cool (< 12.6°C) and comfortable (12.6 to 15.6°C) temperature ranges relative to non-pregnant and midgestation sows. The dry bulb temperature (TDB) that non-pregnant, mid-gestation, and late-gestation sows found to be warm was estimated as TDB preference range < TDB < mild heat stress. The decision support tool was integrated into a smartphone application called HotHog. This smartphone application provides hourly and daily predictions of thermal comfort and stress in non-pregnant, mid-gestation, and lategestation sows. Users can set geographical locations, either manually or by current location, for thermal index predictions. Additionally, hourly and daily precipitation, and temperature predictions are displayed for the selected location. Management observations and mitigation options, as well as expected physiological and behavioral changes, are provided for each thermal index category to help users identify stressed pigs and assist with management decisions. HotHog will support swine producers in making more informed decisions related to in-barn environmental management to reduce the negative effects of thermal stress on sows and their gestating offspring. Furthermore, the tool may be helpful for teaching thermal management to livestock technicians and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase of mixed species exhibits in zoos, targeting enrichment for individual species may be problematic. Often, mammals may be the primary targets of enrichment, yet other species that share their environment (such as birds) will unavoidably be exposed to the enrichment as well. The purpose of this study was to determine if (1) auditory stimuli designed for enrichment of primates influenced the behavior of captive birds in the zoo setting, and (2) if the specific type of auditory enrichment impacted bird behavior. Three different African bird species were observed at the Buffalo Zoo during exposure to natural sounds, classical music and rock music. The results revealed that the average frequency of flying in all three bird species increased with naturalistic sounds and decreased with rock music ( F = 7.63, df = 3,6, P = 0.018); vocalizations for two of the three species (Superb Starlings and Mousebirds) increased ( F = 18.61, df = 2,6, P = 0.0027) in response to all auditory stimuli, however one species (Lady Ross's Turacos) increased frequency of duetting only in response to rock music ( X2 = 18.5, df = 2, P < 0.0001). Auditory enrichment implemented for large mammals may influence behavior in non-target species as well, in this case leading to increased activity by birds. Zoo Biol. 35:29-34, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have demonstrated that auditory enrichment can reduce stereotypic behaviors in captive animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of three different types of auditory enrichment-naturalistic sounds, classical music, and rock music-in reducing stereotypic behavior displayed by Western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Three gorillas (one adult male, two adult females) were observed at the Buffalo Zoo for a total of 24 hr per music trial. A control observation period, during which no sounds were presented, was also included. Each music trial consisted of a total of three weeks with a 1-week control period in between each music type. The results reveal a decrease in stereotypic behaviors from the control period to naturalistic sounds. The naturalistic sounds also affected patterns of several other behaviors including locomotion. In contrast, stereotypy increased in the presence of classical and rock music. These results suggest that auditory enrichment, which is not commonly used in zoos in a systematic way, can be easily utilized by keepers to help decrease stereotypic behavior, but the nature of the stimulus, as well as the differential responses of individual animals, need to be considered. Zoo Biol. 33:197-203, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Exposure to thermal stress can negatively impact an animals' overall welfare, resulting in decreased body condition, slower growth rates, and in severe cases, mortality. Understanding the thermal comfort of pigs can help producers reduce thermal stress and improve the overall well-being of these animals. To understand pigs' thermal comfort, this study utilized temperature preference with weaned pigs by allowing them to select from a range of temperatures within a thermal apparatus. However, temperature preference is complicated given that a variety of factors can influence thermal comfort. Previous research has indicated that temperature preference is altered based on the number of individuals tested as this can alter their thermal comfort. Social aggregation, through huddling, results in greater heat conservation and animals find cooler temperatures more comfortable. Thus, this study looked at how social groups and different body weight could influence the temperature preference of pigs. Results showed that individual pigs preferred warmer temperatures compared to those in groups of 2 and 4, and that heavier pigs preferred cooler temperatures compared to medium- and lightweight pigs. This study demonstrates that a greater number of individuals perceive a cooler temperature as being within their comfort zone, whereas an individual does not have access to the thermal benefits of social aggregation. Housing pigs within their thermal comfort zone positively impacts productivity and performance. However, fundamental information on behavioral thermoregulatory responses of individual and group-housed pigs is meager. As a gregarious species, pigs prefer to be near one another, touching and often huddling. As pigs huddle together, they decrease their heat loss to the environment by decreasing exposed surface area and increasing mass. Additionally, pigs gain weight rapidly as they age. As an individual grows, their ability to withstand lower temperatures increases. We hypothesized that group size would alter pig thermal preference and that thermal preference would change based upon body weight. Thirty-six groups of pigs (n = 2 pigs/group) were tested in a factorial design based on group size (1, 2, or 4) and weight category (small: 5.20 ± 1.15 kg; medium: 8.79 ± 1.30 kg; and large: 13.95 ± 1.26 kg) in both sexes. Treatment groups were placed inside a chamber with a controlled thermal gradient (4.6 m × 0.9 m × 0.9 m; L × W × H) that ranged in temperature from 18 to 30 °C. Pigs habituated to the gradient for 24 h. The following 24 h testing period was continuously video recorded and each pig's location during inactivity (~70% daily budget) within the thermal apparatus was recorded every 10 min via instantaneous scan sampling. Data were analyzed using a GLM and log10 + 0.001 transformed for normality. Tukey tests and Bonferroni-corrected custom tests were used for post hoc comparisons. Peak temperature preference was determined by the maximum amount of time spent at a specific temperature. Both group size (p = 0.001) and weight category (p < 0.001) influenced the thermal location choice of pigs. Individual pigs preferred 30.31 °C, which differed from a group of 2 (20.0 °C: p = 0.003) and 4 pigs (20.0 °C: p < 0.001). The peak temperature preference of the small pigs (30.2 °C) differed from the large pigs (20.0 °C: p < 0.001) but did not differ from the medium-sized pigs (28.4 °C: p > 0.05). Overall, heavier pigs and larger groups preferred cooler temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]