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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.
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Abstract

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

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