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Related Experiment Videos

Relationship between hyponeophagia and adrenal cortex function in farmed foxes.

T Rekilä1, M Harri, L Jalkanen

  • 1University of Kuopio, Department of Applied Zoology and Veterinary Medicine, Finland. rekila@uku.fi

Physiology & Behavior
|March 12, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Animals not eating during feeding tests showed higher stress and fear. This was observed in blue and silver foxes, indicated by lower cortisol levels in eaters versus non-eaters.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Stress research

Background:

  • The adrenal cortex regulates stress response.
  • Fox farming practices may influence animal welfare.
  • Feeding tests can reveal behavioral and physiological differences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess adrenal cortex function in farmed blue and silver foxes based on their feeding test behavior.
  • To investigate the relationship between feeding test reactions, stress hormones, and fearfulness.

Main Methods:

  • Collected urine and serum samples from blue (Alopex lagopus) and silver (Vulpes vulpes) foxes.
  • Measured urine cortisol:creatinine ratio and serum cortisol concentrations.
  • Administered ACTH to assess adrenal response.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Correlated physiological data with feeding test behavior (eaters vs. non-eaters).

    • Main Results:

    • Animals not eating in the feeding test had higher urine cortisol:creatinine ratios in both species.
    • Eater silver foxes exhibited lower baseline and ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol than non-eaters.
    • No significant differences in serum cortisol were found between eater and non-eater blue foxes.
    • Body and adrenal weights did not differ based on fearfulness or feeding behavior.

    Conclusions:

    • Not eating during feeding tests may indicate higher stress and fear in farmed foxes.
    • Species-specific differences exist in the physiological stress response to feeding tests.
    • Feeding test behavior can be a useful indicator of stress and welfare in farmed foxes.