Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T20:04:25.198Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Salivary IgA: A Possible Stress Marker in Dogs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

S Skandakumar ,
G Stodulski  and
J Hau
S Skandakumar
Affiliation:
Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 OTU, UK
G Stodulski
Affiliation:
Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 OTU, UK
J Hau*
Affiliation:
Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 OTU, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Stress in humans has been reported to be associated with a decrease in the salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) levels enabling the possible use of s-IgA to assess stress. Prolonged stress, if reliably assessed in a non-invasive manner, may be used to assess animal welfare. This study analysed groups of dogs undergoing physical and temperamental training and sIgA levels were measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in prospective samples. Behavioural assessment was carried out and Cortisol levels in saliva were measured by ELISA. A significant negative correlation (P <0.007) between the logarithmic Cortisol concentrations and s-IgA levels in saliva was recorded. The behavioural assessment of the dogs agreed well with the biochemical markers. It is concluded that IgA levels in saliva may be a useful marker of dog well-being and that stress results in decreased s-IgA levels.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourCortisoldogsalivary IgA (s-IgA)stresswell-being
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , November 1995 , pp. 339 - 350
Copyright
© 1995 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

References

Annie, C L and Groer, M 1991 Childbirth stress: an immunological study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Neonatal Nursing 20: 391–397CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aufritch, C, Tenner, W, Salzer, H R, Khoss, A E, Wurst, E and Herkner, K 1992 Salivary IgA concentration is influenced by saliva collection method. European Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry 30: 81–83Google Scholar
Carlstead, K, Brown, J L and Strawn, W 1993 Behavioral and physiological correlates of stress in laboratory cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 38: 143–158CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Graham, N M, Bartholomeusz, R C, Taboonpong, N and La Brooy, J T 1988 Does anxiety reduce the secretion rate of secretory IgA in saliva? Medical Journal of Australia 148: 131–133CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Green, M L, Green, R G and Santoro, W 1988 Daily relaxation modifies serum and salivary immunoglobulins and psychophysiologic symptom severity. Biofeedback and Self Regulation 13: 187–199CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jasnoski, M L and Kugler, J 1987 Relaxation, imagery, and neuroimmunomodulation. Annals New York Academy of Science 496: 722–730CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jemmot, J B and Magloire, K 1988 Academic stress, social support, and secretory immunoglobulin. American Journal of Personal and Social Psychology 55: 803–810CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnston, S D and Mather, E C 1978 Canine plasma Cortisol (hydrocortisone) measured by radioimmunoassay: clinical absence of diurnal variation and results of ACTH stimulation and dexamethasone suppression tests. American Journal of Veterinary Research 39: 1766–1770Google ScholarPubMed
Laurell, C B 1972 Electroimmunoassay. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 29: 21–37CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manser, C E 1992 The assessment of stress in laboratory animals. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): Horsham, UKGoogle Scholar
Martin, R A and Dobbin, J P 1988 Sense of humour, hassles, and immunoglobulin A: evidence for a stress moderating effect of humour. International Journal of Psychiatric Medicine 18: 93–105CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Phillips, P A, Newcomer, C E and Shultz, D S 1983 A technique for saliva collection in dogs. Laboratory Animal Science 33: 465–466Google ScholarPubMed
Tharp, G D and Barnes, M W 1990 Reduction of saliva immunoglobulin levels by swim training. European Journal of Applied Physiology 60: 61–64CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tomasi, T B 1992 The discovery of secretory IgA and the mucosal immune system. Immunology Today 13: 416–418CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vincent, I C and Michell, A R 1992 Comparison of Cortisol concentration in saliva and plasma of dogs. Research in Veterinary Science 53: 342–345CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitbread, T J, Batt, R M and Garthwaite, G 1984 Relative deficiency of serum IgA in German Shepherd dogs; a breed abnormality. Research in Veterinary Science 37: 350–352CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wiepkema, P R and Koolhaas, J M 1993 Stress and animal welfare. Animal Welfare 2: 195218CrossRefGoogle Scholar