Tail Biting in Pigs: Blood Serotonin and Fearfulness as Pieces of the Puzzle?

摘要: Tail biting in pigs is a widespread problem intensive pig farming. The tendency to develop this damaging behaviour has been suggested relate serotonergic functioning and personality characteristics of pigs. We investigated whether tail can be associated with blood serotonin their behavioural physiological responses novelty. Pigs (n = 480) were born conventional farrowing pens after weaning at four weeks age they either housed barren (B) or straw-enriched (E) pens. Individual exposed back test novel environment before weaning, object (i.e. bucket) an unfamiliar arena. A Principal Component Analysis on behaviours during the tests salivary cortisol (novel only) revealed five factors for both housing systems, labeled ‘Early life exploration’, ‘Near bucket’, ‘Cortisol’, ‘Vocalizations & standing alert’, ‘Back activity’. Blood samples taken 8, 9 22 determine platelet serotonin. In different phases life, classified as biter/non-tail biter based behaviour, victim/non-victim wounds. combination classifications resulted types: biters, victims, biter/victims, neutrals. Generally, only which seemed have lower storage higher uptake velocities. Victims also storage. Additionally, B housing, biters consistently scores factor possibly indicating fearfulness biters. Further research needed elucidate nature relationship between peripheral 5-HT, biting, successful strategies interventions prevent reduce biting.