Blood concentrations of serotonin, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone in aggressive dogs

Rosado, B. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; García-Belenguer, S. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; León, M. ; Chacón, G. ; Villegas, A. ; Palacio, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Canine aggression directed towards people is the most frequent reason for referral to behaviour practices. In order to provide new and improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this problem, it is necessary to make an in-depth investigation of the biological basis of aggression in this species. The serotonergic system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis are believed to play an important role in controlling aggression. The aim of the present study was to investigate both systems in aggressive (n = 80) and control non-aggressive (n = 19) dogs through the assessment of peripheral parameters, namely serum serotonin (5-HT), and plasma cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Moreover, the effect of the category of aggression and gender was investigated. Aggressive dogs showed significantly lower serum concentrations of 5-HT than non-aggressive dogs (278.5 ng/ml vs. 387.4 ng/ml, P < 0.01). The lowest 5-HT concentrations were found in the group of dogs showing defensive forms of aggression. Aggressive animals showed significantly higher plasma concentrations of cortisol than non-aggressive dogs (21.4 ng/ml vs. 10.6 ng/ml, P = 0.05). Finally, males as a whole showed significantly higher plasma concentrations of DHEA and DHEA/cortisol ratio values than did females (DHEA: 90.9 ng/ml vs. 29.8 ng/ml, P < 0.05; ratio: 9.5 vs. 3.8, P < 0.01). The present results suggest that aggressive dogs might differ from non-aggressive dogs in the activities of the serotonergic system and the HPA axis.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.01.009

Año: 2010

Publicado en: Applied Animal Behaviour Science 123, 3-4 (2010), 124-130
ISSN: 0168-1591

Factor impacto JCR: 1.555 (2010)

Categ. JCR: AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE rank: 13 / 55 = 0.236 (2010) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 29 / 144 = 0.201 (2010) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES rank: 38 / 48 = 0.792 (2010) - Q4 - T3

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Proy. investigación DDA (Dpto. Anatom.,Embri.Genét.Ani.)
Área (Departamento): Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)