Changes in the behavioral parameters following the lipopolysaccharide administration in goats

The present study was aimed at the establishment of an experimental model for the numerical assessment of sick animal behavior. Four goats were given bolus injections of 200 ng/kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle (0 hr) under non-restrained conditions, and observed for behavioral changes and clinical symptoms during the period between -1 and 10 hr. The apparent clinical symptoms of miosis and shivering were observed during the period from 39.5 +/- 3.1 to 296.5 +/- 9.9 min and from 46.0 +/- 2.3 to 251.0 +/- 15.5 min after the LPS administration, respectively. As to the general behaviors, the total length for standing and sternum lying during the period from 0 to 5 hr after LPS administration showed no change, however, that for feeding and rumination, and the cumulative number of grooming episode were significantly reduced as compared to the control period. On the other hand, the cumulative numbers of urination, defecation and yawning showed a tendency to increase but not significantly. These results suggest that stereotyped behavioral responses, which are typically seen in acute phase of sickness, can be transiently induced in goats by treating them with LPS.