The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some physiological parameters d... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some physiological parameters during moderate treadmill exercise in seven healthy Beagle dogs. All animals were submitted to treadmill exercise consisting of walking (15 min), trotting (20 min) and walking (10 min). At every step, rectal temperature (RT) was measured, and the mean heart rate (HR) was assessed. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before starting the treadmill exercise session (at rest), after the end of walking (15 min), trotting (20 min) and walking (10 min), and after 30 min of passive recovery. For immediate assessment of lactate and glucose concentration, blood was analyzed with portable blood lactate and blood glucose analyzers, respectively. Blood was also transferred into sterile glass tubes containing K(3)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K(3)-EDTA) for evaluation of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of treadmill exercise (P<0.05) on RT, HR, lactate, glucose, RBC and Hct. Considering these significant variations, the knowledge of RT, HR, glucose and lactate concentrations, RBC, and Hct, the most suitable and sensitive indicators of response to treadmill exercise in untrained dogs, is essential in order to evidence the individual levels of exercise tolerance, to investigate exercise-related problems and to design specific and individual treadmill protocols.
ABSTRACT Keeping and management of horses can induce changes to instinctive and innate behavioura... more ABSTRACT Keeping and management of horses can induce changes to instinctive and innate behavioural patterns. We investigated the effect of five different management conditions in five groups of horses. All groups were housed in individual boxes under natural environmental and lighting conditions. They were fed three times a day (07:00, 12:30 and 20:00) and had free access to water. Group A was fed with 8 kg/capo/die of hay divided in the three meals. Group B was fed with 8 kg/capo/die of an unifeed divided in the three meals. Group C was fed with unifeed at 07:00 and 12:30 and with hay at 20:00. They were kept in wood-bedded boxes. Groups D and E were fed with unifeed at 07:00 and 12:30, respectively, and in the other, two meals received hay. They were kept in straw-bedded boxes. Our results showed a daily rhythm of total locomotor activity in all groups, influenced by management conditions. Group A engaged in meal patterns similar to those seen in grazing animals. Groups B and C showed the highest MESOR values due to a high searching behaviour. Group C showed a nocturnal acrophase contrary to the other groups. Groups D and E showed a total locomotor activity pattern similar to that observed in Group A probably due to an increase in straw-bedding consuming. The reduction of fibre in diet has an impact on physiology and behaviour of horses. The valuation of diet and in bedding provided to horses kept in box is useful to guarantee the maintenance of the physiological daily rhythm of total locomotor activity.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2014
ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to investigate the daily pattern of serum cortisol rhy... more ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to investigate the daily pattern of serum cortisol rhythm in relation to the total locomotor activity in horses housed in an individual box under a 12-hour light-dark cycle. Blood samples were collected at 3-hour intervals over a 48-hour period via an intravenous cannula inserted into the jugular vein in 5 Italian Saddle horses. In addition, the horses were equipped with Actiwatch Mini, actigraphy-based data loggers that record a digitally integrated measure of motor activity. The application of cosinor rhythmometry showed a daily rhythmicity of serum cortisol levels and locomotor activity. Both parameters showed a diurnal acrophase, at the beginning of photophase for cortisol anticipates of about 5 hours with respect to the acrophase of locomotor activity. The data on the distribution of acrophases have implications for the issue of causation. In conclusion, we found no influence of the rhythm of locomotor activity with the rhythm of serum cortisol.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2013
ABSTRACT The activity rhythm can be entrained by nonphotic cues, especially food availability. Da... more ABSTRACT The activity rhythm can be entrained by nonphotic cues, especially food availability. Daily feeding schedules can act as “Zeitgeber” to synchronize the circadian system. In this study, the authors evaluated the influence of different feeding schedules on the daily rhythm of total locomotor activity in ponies. Six clinically healthy Shetland ponies were kept under natural 12/12-h light/dark cycle and monitored during 4 different feeding schedules: fed twice (at 8 am and 8 pm), fasted, fed at 8 pm, fed at 8 am, and fed twice a day again. Water was available ad libitum. To record total activity, we equipped the animals with actigraphy-based data loggers (Actiwatch-Mini). Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of the time of day and no effect of feeding schedules on the amount of total locomotor activity. Locomotor activity showed daily rhythmicity in all experimental conditions, with diurnal acrophase. The amplitude of the rhythms and their robustness statistically changed across all experimental conditions. Our findings support the theory that when given essentially free choice hay, the time of feeding did not entrain activity, and suggest that feeding behavior can influence the distribution of locomotor activity during a 24-hour period in ponies, with changes in the amplitude and robustness of the rhythm.
ABSTRACT Storage represents a basic step of the pre-analytical phase for the accuracy of screenin... more ABSTRACT Storage represents a basic step of the pre-analytical phase for the accuracy of screening tests both in human and veterinary diagnostic laboratories. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term storage on electrophoretic profile of serum proteins in dairy cows. Blood was collected from 18 clinically healthy cows and serum was divided into four aliquots. The first aliquot was immediately analysed (time 0). The second and the third aliquots were stored at +4°C for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The fourth aliquot was frozen at −20° C for 48 hours. A statistical analysis was performed on the obtained data. Albumin and α-globulins relative concentration and A/G ratio showed significant changes after 48 h storage. The results obtained in the current study showed that short-term storage influenced electrophoretic pattern of bovine serum proteins and the A/G ratio. Therefore, the refrigeration of bovine sera for 24 h at the most should be suggested to practitioners in order to obtain reliable serum protein concentrations as useful screening test in veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
ABSTRACT To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel d... more ABSTRACT To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel dogs with a mean body weight of 15±3 kg, aged between 2 and 3 years old. Rectal and vaginal temperatures were recorded every 3 h over 48-h period during three different lighting regimes: natural light/dark (L/D) cycle (sunrise 06:25, sunset 17:05), constant light (L/L) and constant darkness (D/D). A daily rhythm of rectal temperature was observed in both days of monitoring in all experimental conditions. Vaginal temperature showed a daily rhythmicity in L/D and D/D cycle. During the L/L cycle, daily rhythm was disrupted. Rhythmic parameters (MESOR, amplitude, acrophase and robustness) did not change between the different photoperiod and the site of temperature collection. In conclusion, the monitoring of vaginal temperature can be considered a valid alternative to the monitoring of body temperature as well as rectal temperature under natural lighting conditions in canine medicine.
ABSTRACT Cortisol and other adrenal steroids are typically secreted in a pulsate fashion and plas... more ABSTRACT Cortisol and other adrenal steroids are typically secreted in a pulsate fashion and plasma concentrations can vary widely during a 24-hour period. To investigate daily rhythmicity of plasma adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) concentration, as well as rectal temperature (RT), sample collections were performed in five Quarter Horses housed in individual boxes under natural light/dark (L/D) cycle followed by constant darkness. The two variables exhibited 24-h rhythmicity under the L/D cycle. Whereas rhythmicity of RT persisted in constant darkness, rhythmicity of ACTH concentration did not. These findings strongly suggested that ACTH secretion in the horse is not under circadian control and is modulated only by environmental light.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2013
ABSTRACT Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amou... more ABSTRACT Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amount of activity in herbivores. Only few studies on the behavior of cats and interactions between cat and human were conducted, and these few works are referred to cats housed in laboratories. At the same way, only few and conflicting reports about the presence of circadian rhythms in cats are present. In view of this incomplete literature, the main aim of our study was to investigate the influence of different housing conditions on daily rhythm of total locomotor activity (TLA) in cats. For this purpose, 10 clinically healthy adult domestic cats were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups living with their owner in their home. Group A lived in 80-100 m2 house and had free daily access to 20-40 m2 garden from 08:00 to 9:00. Group B lived in 200-250 m2 house, had free access to 2000-2500 m2 garden all day, and from 21:00 to 08:00 they were kept outside. Our results showed that in group A, that live in strong symbiosis with owners respect to group B, the amount of activity was higher during the photophase. This supporting the view that domestic cats adapt their lifestyle with their owners. Group B exhibited the highest level of locomotor activity during the scotophase. Moreover, a robust daily rhythmicity of TLA was observed in group B; on the contrary, in group A, TLA showed no daily rhythmicity. Our findings underline the high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity and daily rhythm in cats.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some physiological parameters d... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some physiological parameters during moderate treadmill exercise in seven healthy Beagle dogs. All animals were submitted to treadmill exercise consisting of walking (15 min), trotting (20 min) and walking (10 min). At every step, rectal temperature (RT) was measured, and the mean heart rate (HR) was assessed. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before starting the treadmill exercise session (at rest), after the end of walking (15 min), trotting (20 min) and walking (10 min), and after 30 min of passive recovery. For immediate assessment of lactate and glucose concentration, blood was analyzed with portable blood lactate and blood glucose analyzers, respectively. Blood was also transferred into sterile glass tubes containing K(3)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K(3)-EDTA) for evaluation of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of treadmill exercise (P<0.05) on RT, HR, lactate, glucose, RBC and Hct. Considering these significant variations, the knowledge of RT, HR, glucose and lactate concentrations, RBC, and Hct, the most suitable and sensitive indicators of response to treadmill exercise in untrained dogs, is essential in order to evidence the individual levels of exercise tolerance, to investigate exercise-related problems and to design specific and individual treadmill protocols.
ABSTRACT Keeping and management of horses can induce changes to instinctive and innate behavioura... more ABSTRACT Keeping and management of horses can induce changes to instinctive and innate behavioural patterns. We investigated the effect of five different management conditions in five groups of horses. All groups were housed in individual boxes under natural environmental and lighting conditions. They were fed three times a day (07:00, 12:30 and 20:00) and had free access to water. Group A was fed with 8 kg/capo/die of hay divided in the three meals. Group B was fed with 8 kg/capo/die of an unifeed divided in the three meals. Group C was fed with unifeed at 07:00 and 12:30 and with hay at 20:00. They were kept in wood-bedded boxes. Groups D and E were fed with unifeed at 07:00 and 12:30, respectively, and in the other, two meals received hay. They were kept in straw-bedded boxes. Our results showed a daily rhythm of total locomotor activity in all groups, influenced by management conditions. Group A engaged in meal patterns similar to those seen in grazing animals. Groups B and C showed the highest MESOR values due to a high searching behaviour. Group C showed a nocturnal acrophase contrary to the other groups. Groups D and E showed a total locomotor activity pattern similar to that observed in Group A probably due to an increase in straw-bedding consuming. The reduction of fibre in diet has an impact on physiology and behaviour of horses. The valuation of diet and in bedding provided to horses kept in box is useful to guarantee the maintenance of the physiological daily rhythm of total locomotor activity.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2014
ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to investigate the daily pattern of serum cortisol rhy... more ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to investigate the daily pattern of serum cortisol rhythm in relation to the total locomotor activity in horses housed in an individual box under a 12-hour light-dark cycle. Blood samples were collected at 3-hour intervals over a 48-hour period via an intravenous cannula inserted into the jugular vein in 5 Italian Saddle horses. In addition, the horses were equipped with Actiwatch Mini, actigraphy-based data loggers that record a digitally integrated measure of motor activity. The application of cosinor rhythmometry showed a daily rhythmicity of serum cortisol levels and locomotor activity. Both parameters showed a diurnal acrophase, at the beginning of photophase for cortisol anticipates of about 5 hours with respect to the acrophase of locomotor activity. The data on the distribution of acrophases have implications for the issue of causation. In conclusion, we found no influence of the rhythm of locomotor activity with the rhythm of serum cortisol.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2013
ABSTRACT The activity rhythm can be entrained by nonphotic cues, especially food availability. Da... more ABSTRACT The activity rhythm can be entrained by nonphotic cues, especially food availability. Daily feeding schedules can act as “Zeitgeber” to synchronize the circadian system. In this study, the authors evaluated the influence of different feeding schedules on the daily rhythm of total locomotor activity in ponies. Six clinically healthy Shetland ponies were kept under natural 12/12-h light/dark cycle and monitored during 4 different feeding schedules: fed twice (at 8 am and 8 pm), fasted, fed at 8 pm, fed at 8 am, and fed twice a day again. Water was available ad libitum. To record total activity, we equipped the animals with actigraphy-based data loggers (Actiwatch-Mini). Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of the time of day and no effect of feeding schedules on the amount of total locomotor activity. Locomotor activity showed daily rhythmicity in all experimental conditions, with diurnal acrophase. The amplitude of the rhythms and their robustness statistically changed across all experimental conditions. Our findings support the theory that when given essentially free choice hay, the time of feeding did not entrain activity, and suggest that feeding behavior can influence the distribution of locomotor activity during a 24-hour period in ponies, with changes in the amplitude and robustness of the rhythm.
ABSTRACT Storage represents a basic step of the pre-analytical phase for the accuracy of screenin... more ABSTRACT Storage represents a basic step of the pre-analytical phase for the accuracy of screening tests both in human and veterinary diagnostic laboratories. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term storage on electrophoretic profile of serum proteins in dairy cows. Blood was collected from 18 clinically healthy cows and serum was divided into four aliquots. The first aliquot was immediately analysed (time 0). The second and the third aliquots were stored at +4°C for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The fourth aliquot was frozen at −20° C for 48 hours. A statistical analysis was performed on the obtained data. Albumin and α-globulins relative concentration and A/G ratio showed significant changes after 48 h storage. The results obtained in the current study showed that short-term storage influenced electrophoretic pattern of bovine serum proteins and the A/G ratio. Therefore, the refrigeration of bovine sera for 24 h at the most should be suggested to practitioners in order to obtain reliable serum protein concentrations as useful screening test in veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
ABSTRACT To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel d... more ABSTRACT To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel dogs with a mean body weight of 15±3 kg, aged between 2 and 3 years old. Rectal and vaginal temperatures were recorded every 3 h over 48-h period during three different lighting regimes: natural light/dark (L/D) cycle (sunrise 06:25, sunset 17:05), constant light (L/L) and constant darkness (D/D). A daily rhythm of rectal temperature was observed in both days of monitoring in all experimental conditions. Vaginal temperature showed a daily rhythmicity in L/D and D/D cycle. During the L/L cycle, daily rhythm was disrupted. Rhythmic parameters (MESOR, amplitude, acrophase and robustness) did not change between the different photoperiod and the site of temperature collection. In conclusion, the monitoring of vaginal temperature can be considered a valid alternative to the monitoring of body temperature as well as rectal temperature under natural lighting conditions in canine medicine.
ABSTRACT Cortisol and other adrenal steroids are typically secreted in a pulsate fashion and plas... more ABSTRACT Cortisol and other adrenal steroids are typically secreted in a pulsate fashion and plasma concentrations can vary widely during a 24-hour period. To investigate daily rhythmicity of plasma adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) concentration, as well as rectal temperature (RT), sample collections were performed in five Quarter Horses housed in individual boxes under natural light/dark (L/D) cycle followed by constant darkness. The two variables exhibited 24-h rhythmicity under the L/D cycle. Whereas rhythmicity of RT persisted in constant darkness, rhythmicity of ACTH concentration did not. These findings strongly suggested that ACTH secretion in the horse is not under circadian control and is modulated only by environmental light.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2013
ABSTRACT Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amou... more ABSTRACT Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amount of activity in herbivores. Only few studies on the behavior of cats and interactions between cat and human were conducted, and these few works are referred to cats housed in laboratories. At the same way, only few and conflicting reports about the presence of circadian rhythms in cats are present. In view of this incomplete literature, the main aim of our study was to investigate the influence of different housing conditions on daily rhythm of total locomotor activity (TLA) in cats. For this purpose, 10 clinically healthy adult domestic cats were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups living with their owner in their home. Group A lived in 80-100 m2 house and had free daily access to 20-40 m2 garden from 08:00 to 9:00. Group B lived in 200-250 m2 house, had free access to 2000-2500 m2 garden all day, and from 21:00 to 08:00 they were kept outside. Our results showed that in group A, that live in strong symbiosis with owners respect to group B, the amount of activity was higher during the photophase. This supporting the view that domestic cats adapt their lifestyle with their owners. Group B exhibited the highest level of locomotor activity during the scotophase. Moreover, a robust daily rhythmicity of TLA was observed in group B; on the contrary, in group A, TLA showed no daily rhythmicity. Our findings underline the high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity and daily rhythm in cats.
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Papers by C. Giannetto