Hormonal and behavioral changes induced by acute and chronic experimental infestation with Psoroptes cuniculi in the domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Fernando Iván Flores-Pérez¹  Alejandro Nieto-Rodríguez³  Kurt L Hoffman²  Jaime Abel Vázquez-Montiel¹  Jorge Morales-Montor⁴  Claudia Hallal-Calleros¹ 

[1] Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col Chamilpa, Cuernavaca CP 62209, México;Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CP 90000, Tlaxcala, México;Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col Chamilpa, CP 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México;Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228 México DF 04510, México

关键词: Locomotor activity;    Chinning;    Mange;    Mites;    Psoroptes;    Parasite infestation;    Animal behavior;   

Others  :  823463
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-3305-6-361

 received in 2013-09-03, accepted in 2013-12-14,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Parasitic diseases are important in animal production because they cause high economic losses. Affected animals often exhibit stereotypical behavioral alterations such as anorexia and inactivity, among others. Among the diseases that commonly affect domestic rabbits is mange, which is caused by the mite Psoroptes cuniculi. Therefore, within the context of the host-parasite relationship, it is critical to understand the mechanisms involved in the alteration of host behavior, in order to better utilize sick animal behavior as a strategy for diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Methods

Rabbits were infested placing mites in the ear conduct. We characterized changes in exploratory behavior and scent marking evoked by acute (1-9 days) and chronic (25-33 days) experimental infestation. Behavior was recorded during ten minutes while the animals were in a 120 cm × 120 cm open field arena divided into 9 squares. Serum cortisol was measured individually using radioimmunoassay kits. Locomotor activity, chinning, rearing and body weight were compared using a Friedman test, the effect of treatment (infested versus non-infested) across time was analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA, and the Pearson test was used to determine whether chinning and ambulation scores were significantly correlated. Serum cortisol levels and food consumption were analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis test and body temperature was analyzed with an ANOVA test.

Results

We observed a significant decrease in rearing behavior as early as two days post-infestation, while chinning and locomotor activity were significantly decreased four days post-infestation. Chronic infestation was associated with decreased food intake, significant weight loss, and a trend toward increased serum cortisol levels, while no changes were observed in body temperature.

Conclusions

The presence of visible lesions within the ear canal is commonly used to detect mite infestation in rabbits, but this is possible only after chronic infestation. The behaviors described here may be a useful and economic tool in guiding the early diagnosis of parasitic infestation by P. cuniculi, allowing for early treatment and the application of control measures before significant weight loss occurs, thereby avoiding economic losses.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Hallal-Calleros et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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