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Heart Rate Variability in Healthy, Adult Pony Mares During Transrectal Palpation of the Reproductive Tract by Veterinary Students

2017; Elsevier BV; Volume: 58; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jevs.2017.08.013

1542-7412

van Vollenhoven E, Lizelle Fletcher, Patrick Page, André Ganswindt, Catharina C. Grant,

Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Few studies exist on evaluating stress in animals used for veterinary student training. The aim of this study was to (1) assess the stress response of habituated mares during student transrectal palpations of the reproductive tract; (2) determine the recovery period; and (3) evaluate the effect of the mares' experience and age on the stress response. Heart rate variability (HRV) was employed to quantify stress by measuring the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the heart. RR intervals from 21 mares were recorded, and 5-minute tachograms from the following time points were analyzed: prepalpation (on pasture and in stocks), during palpation (first and last 5 minutes of the 20-minute palpation period), and postpalpation (5, 35, and 65 minutes). The heart rate and HRV obtained were compared by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance to the baseline measurements (pasture and stock). The most significant shifts toward the sympathetic component were recorded during the first 5 minutes of palpation and 65 minutes postpalpation. Coactivation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches was recorded during the initial stage of palpation. This may be attributed to recognition (prediction of outcome) of the procedure by the mare. The age and experience of the habituated horses did not influence the HRV indicators. The 20-minute palpation period was tolerated by mares accustomed to palpation, but the related stress response after prolonged restricted movement in the stocks was pronounced. Thus, horses should be promptly released from stocks after similar veterinary procedures to minimize distress.