Stress Response + Behaviour Flashcards
HPA?
hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis
SAM?
sympathetic adreno-medullary
what role does the HPA play in the stress response?
it has a supporting role to maintain response after fight/flight
eustress?
a form of positive or physiological stress
what was stress separated into - by Selye in 1974?
eustress AND 2 forms of negative stress: overstress and distress
what does eustress indicate?
it indicates the effort the animal makes to adapt to the environment within the limits of normality
What is distress associated with?
it is associated with maladaptive behaviour due to poor adaptation to overstress e.g. separation related behaviours
what perceives the threat that triggers a stress response?
CNS perceives threat which develops to biological response - perception of the threat is most important
what are pituitary hormones found to affect?
found to affect immune competence, behaviour, altered metabolism, failed reproduction
what effect does HPA axis have on the body?
has a long lasting effect on the body
HPA is usually the…
the primary neuroendocrine axis monitored although other hormones do play a role
cortisol is not the only hormone that is related to ‘stress’ - what others are as well?
GH, TSH, GnRH, FSH, prolactin involved too
prolactin is positively associated to?
to anxious behaviour
oxytocin inhibition is associated with?
with negative and prolonged stress response
why is taking blood not always reliable?
act of taking blood is stressful so it will increase cortisol levels
therefore not the ideal way of measuring it
what can psychological stress result in?
results in deleterious behaviours such as tail biting in swine or self-mutilation in monkeys
metabolism shifts during stress - what can this lead to?
it can cause disruption to growth
what can stress suppress?
reproduction and maternal behaviour
what is heat stress found to reduce?
preovulatory stage by reducing LH and Estrodial
detection of a threat using what?
via visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile sensory nerves
stress response?
detection
received at higher cortical centre
recognised as a threat
hypothalamus ready in action and releases hormones
body ready for ‘fight or flight’
emotional state and learning process influenced
negative feedback loop - may seem exaggerated but for animal it is justified for survival
what are the four behavioural responses to a potential threat?
inhibition
repulsion
appeasement
avoidance
common signs of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)?
staring out window
may not go out using cat flap
inappropriate urination, marking around doors, windows
withdrawn - spends more time staring outside window
blood in urine
sometimes unable to urinate
modifiers to a stress response? (what can influence a stress response)
genetics
early experience
social relationships
age
human animal interactions
stress coping is dependent on what?
dependent on predictability of the stressor
predictable stressor and resilience allows the animal to what?
allows them to cope better to a stress response
what has been shown to increase aggression in cats when they are older?
early weaning
why do elephants (in captivity) have a high rate of infant rejection?
due to prolonged stressors and negative experiences during gestation
describe the emotional resilience during the prenatal phase:
maternal stress can influence emotional health and resilience through the HPA axis
describe the emotional resilience during the neonatal phase:
(0-2 weeks)
dependent on mother for food, support. lack of maternal presence influences resilience and emotional health
describe the emotional resilience during the socialisation phase:
(3-12 weeks)
pursues interaction with other individuals. Appropriate play is needed to develop motor skills and learning. Inappropriate play, poor relationships and frustration can inflict stress that influences the resilience and emotional state
describe the emotional resilience during the juvenile phase:
(12 weeks - sexual maturation)
learning at this stage affects emotional and behavioural response, stressful exposures will result in ordinary things associated with negative emotional states
learned helplessness can occur if?
if they cannot escape from the perceived threat. stress response still persist
gives up - depressive state
behavioural observation - during learned helplessness?
listless
lacking motivation
avoids interaction
increased vigilance
sleeping more
over/undereating
how to improve animal behaviour - reduce prolonged stress?
understand motivation leading to the behaviour
determine cause of stressor
alter human perception and expectations
neurochemical alternation by increasing NTs - dopamine, serotonin receptors: pheromone, nutraceutical, medication
