Introduction: Infrared thermography (IR) is a technique that can detect and measure infrared radiation emitted spontaneously from any surface. Using the IR images analysis is possible to make several considerations about different aspects of physiological or pathological condition. Eye temperature, measured using IR, has been used as a non-invasive tool for measuring stress in animals. A rapid drop in eye temperature achieved by vasoconstriction, may be a sympathetically- mediated catecholamine response, which activates the ‘fi ght or fl ight’ reaction induced by fear (Stewart et al., 2008). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eye temperature as a means to detect fear response in cows using IRT during a novel object test. Material and Methods: 13 dairy cows were included in the study. Cows were kept by the farmer in tie stall. IR pictures of the eye region (area defi ned by medial, posterior, palpebral border of the lower eyelid and the lacrimal caruncle) were collected using an IR camera at distance of approximately 0.5 m by an expert operator. Images were collect at fi rst on relaxed animals in ruminating posture 10 minutes before the test. When the stimulus, a brightly colored umbrella abruptly opened in front of the cow, was applied other images were immediately recorded. The max T (maximum temperature) within the area of interest was recorded analyzing the images with a proper software for each photo recorded. After checking for normality, data were analyzed with paired sample T-test to identify a change in the eye temperature with SPSS software. Results: Immediately after the application of the stimulus a rapid drop in eye temperature was observed (p=0.006). The eye temperature dropped from a mean value of 36.85 ± 0.48 to a mean value of 36.24 ± 0.70. Discussion and Conclusions: The eye temperature could be a good indicator of stress response: the acute physiological response to fear could be evaluated by the drop in eye temperature using IR technique. IR thermography could be a useful technique to assess stress response in cows and it could be used to detect temperament response in selection programs and to monitor animal welfare in different condition or with different stimuli.
Infrared thermography as a non-invasive tool for detecting fear-stress related responses in cow during a novel object test
VALLE, EMANUELA;PROLA, LIVIANA
2011-01-01
Abstract
Introduction: Infrared thermography (IR) is a technique that can detect and measure infrared radiation emitted spontaneously from any surface. Using the IR images analysis is possible to make several considerations about different aspects of physiological or pathological condition. Eye temperature, measured using IR, has been used as a non-invasive tool for measuring stress in animals. A rapid drop in eye temperature achieved by vasoconstriction, may be a sympathetically- mediated catecholamine response, which activates the ‘fi ght or fl ight’ reaction induced by fear (Stewart et al., 2008). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eye temperature as a means to detect fear response in cows using IRT during a novel object test. Material and Methods: 13 dairy cows were included in the study. Cows were kept by the farmer in tie stall. IR pictures of the eye region (area defi ned by medial, posterior, palpebral border of the lower eyelid and the lacrimal caruncle) were collected using an IR camera at distance of approximately 0.5 m by an expert operator. Images were collect at fi rst on relaxed animals in ruminating posture 10 minutes before the test. When the stimulus, a brightly colored umbrella abruptly opened in front of the cow, was applied other images were immediately recorded. The max T (maximum temperature) within the area of interest was recorded analyzing the images with a proper software for each photo recorded. After checking for normality, data were analyzed with paired sample T-test to identify a change in the eye temperature with SPSS software. Results: Immediately after the application of the stimulus a rapid drop in eye temperature was observed (p=0.006). The eye temperature dropped from a mean value of 36.85 ± 0.48 to a mean value of 36.24 ± 0.70. Discussion and Conclusions: The eye temperature could be a good indicator of stress response: the acute physiological response to fear could be evaluated by the drop in eye temperature using IR technique. IR thermography could be a useful technique to assess stress response in cows and it could be used to detect temperament response in selection programs and to monitor animal welfare in different condition or with different stimuli.
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