Donkey Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Physiology
• Animal Welfare Science

Background:

• Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are key physiological indicators in animal research.
• While horse HRV is well-documented, data on donkeys remain scarce.
• Understanding donkey physiological responses is crucial for their welfare and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of published quantitative primary studies on donkey HR and HRV.
• To assess the extent and type of evidence, clinical/research applications, devices, and analysis methods.
• To identify gaps in the literature and inform future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of four databases (Web of Science) and citation chasing.
• Inclusion of English-language, quantitative primary studies.
• Data extraction on study/population characteristics, HR/HRV analysis, and applications.

Main Results:

• 87 articles were included, with most published since 2011 and small sample sizes (≤20 individuals).
• 41 articles used electronic devices for signal acquisition (ECGs, HR monitors).
• Critically, only two articles reported HRV parameters, indicating a significant literature gap.

Conclusions:

• The current body of evidence on donkey HRV is notably lacking.
• Further research is needed to characterize donkey physiology and develop welfare assessment tools.
• Comparative insights from horse HRV studies can guide future donkey research, addressing technical and interpretative challenges.