Biology subjects

Rault, J.-L.

Publications and source records attributed to Rault, J.-L..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Pigs' brain responses to stroking after long-term positive human interactions: An fMRI exploratory study

Positive interactions with humans can induce pleasurable experiences in animals, but their underlying neurobiology mechanisms are unknown. We investigated the brain responses (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to stroking by a human in 20 pigs under general anaesthesia. Ten pigs received positive human contacts over 9 weeks post-weaning (POS) and 10 pigs did not (CTL). Images from CTL pigs showed peaks of activation in the primary somatosensory cortex, caudate nucleus, anterior prefrontal cortex, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during stroking. Greater peaks of activation in the anterior prefrontal, ventral anterior cingulate, primary somatosensory and somatosensory association cortices were observed in POS pigs; whereas greater peaks of activation in the amygdala were observed in CTL pigs. Therefore, stroking is perceived and possibly elicited positive emotions in anesthetised pigs, and it may be perceived as more pleasant by experienced pigs than naive pigs, which may rather perceive it as a novel stimulus. Highlights- The brain of anaesthetised pigs can perceive tactile stimuli - Stroking by humans is a pleasurable experience for pigs - Experience with positive contacts enhances signs of positive perception of stroking

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

The inner dynamics of positive human-animal interactions: investigating the roles of oxytocin, opioids, dopamine, serotonin and the proteome

Research on the neuroendocrine basis of positive interactions has predominantly focused on oxytocin (OT), although dopamine (DA) and opioids also play crucial roles. Furthermore, these neurotransmitters are known to interact with each other but have seldom been studied concurrently. In this study, we quantified longitudinal changes in these neurotransmitters using a within-subject, 2 x 2 factorial design by varying human familiarity (familiar versus unfamiliar) and contact type (positive contacts versus ignoring) for 10 min human-pig interaction sessions. We repeatedly sampled cerebrospinal fluid from 10 pigs through a spinal catheter 65 and 5 min before the test and at 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after the start of the test. Samples at various timepoints were analysed for OT, DA metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), {beta}-endorphin opioids concentrations, and using proteomics to explore novel protein candidates. The test condition (human familiarity x contact type) had a significant effect on the concentration of {beta}-endorphin (F1,118.59 = 4.45; P = 0.04) and 5-HIAA (F1,73.47 = 5.02; P = 0.03), and tended to affect the concentration of oxytocin (F1, 119.8 = 3.19; P = 0.08) and DOPAC (F1,70.57 = 3.31; P = 0.07), but pair-wise comparisons were not significant. There was only a minor effect on the pigs behaviour, which suggests that the test conditions may have had limited effect. Nevertheless, this approach provides a valuable method to study neurotransmitter changes over time and simultaneously. Highlights- Oxytocin was higher when pigs were ignored than when they had positive contacts - Oxytocin was highest in the novel condition of an unfamiliar human ignoring the pig - Human familiarity and contact type affected {beta}-endorphin and 5-HIAA concentrations - Dopamine metabolites and the proteome were not affected by the test conditions

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2024

Evaluation of welfare indicators for companion parrots: a Delphi consultation survey

Parrots can experience several welfare challenges when kept as companions. Despite their popularity no science-based guidelines are available to assess parrot welfare. The aim of this Delphi study was to evaluate welfare indicators that owners could use to monitor parrot welfare. One hundred and twenty-two potential welfare indicators (behaviours, body measurements, husbandry and management conditions) were sourced from a systematic literature review and by consulting an avian medicine specialist. They were presented to participants with expertise on parrots in two rounds of online survey. We identified 73 welfare indicators that could be used by owners to monitor the welfare of all/most parrot species. Abnormal behaviours and management conditions that allow parrots to express their natural behaviours were ranked among the most important indicators. Participants concurred with scientific evidence about the impact of diet, species susceptibility to develop behavioural problems, early life, and pre-acquirement experiences on parrot welfare. When inquired about the suitability of species as companions, participants indicated seven small-sized species as most suitable to keep as a companion parrot, while cockatoos, critically endangered, and highly trafficked species were evaluated as those that should not be kept as companions. These findings could be useful to monitor and improve parrot welfare.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2024

What We (Don't) Know about Parrot Welfare: A Systematic Literature Review

Parrots are popular companion animals but show prevalent and at times severe welfare issues. Nonetheless, there are no scientific tools available to assess parrot welfare. The aim of this systematic review was to identify valid and feasible outcome measures that could be used as welfare indicators for companion parrots. From 1848 peer-reviewed studies retrieved, 98 met our inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g. experimental studies, captive parrots). For each outcome collected, validity was assessed based on the statistical significance reported by the authors, as other validity parameters were rarely available for evaluation. Feasibility was assigned by considering the need for specific instruments, veterinary-level expertise or handling the parrot. A total of 1512 outcomes were evaluated, of which 572 had a significant p-value and were considered feasible. These included changes in behaviour (e.g. activity level, social interactions, exploration), body measurements (e.g. body weight, plumage condition) and abnormal behaviours, amongst others. However, a high risk of bias undermined the internal validity of these outcomes. Moreover, a strong taxonomic bias, a predominance of studies on parrots in laboratories, and an underrepresentation of companion parrots jeopardized their external validity. These results provide a promising starting point for validating a set of welfare indicators in parrots.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

Spontaneous helping in pigs is mediated by helper's social attention and distress signals of individuals in need

Helping behaviour is of special interest for prosociality because it appears to be motivated by the needs of others. We developed a novel paradigm to investigate helping in pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) and tested 75 individuals in eight groups in their home pens. Two identical compartments were attached to the pen, equipped with a window, and a door that could be opened from the outside by lifting a handle. Pigs in all groups spontaneously opened doors during a five-day familiarization. During testing, each pig was isolated once from its group and placed in one of the two compartments, in a counter-balanced order. In 85% of cases, pigs released a trapped group member from the test compartment within 20 minutes (median latency = 2.2 minutes). Pigs were more likely and quicker to open a door to free the trapped pig than to open a door to an empty compartment. Pigs who spent more time looking at the window of the test compartment were more likely to help. Distress signals by the trapped pig increased its probability of being helped. Responses are consistent with several criteria for identifying targeted helping, but results can also be explained by selfish motivations.

animal behavior and cognition↗