Stress Response + Behaviour

Question 1

HPA?

Answer 1

hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis

Question 2

SAM?

Answer 2

sympathetic adreno-medullary

Question 3

what role does the HPA play in the stress response?

Answer 3

it has a supporting role to maintain response after fight/flight

Question 4

eustress?

Answer 4

a form of positive or physiological stress

Question 5

what was stress separated into - by Selye in 1974?

Answer 5

eustress AND 2 forms of negative stress: overstress and distress

Question 6

what does eustress indicate?

Answer 6

it indicates the effort the animal makes to adapt to the environment within the limits of normality

Question 7

What is distress associated with?

Answer 7

it is associated with maladaptive behaviour due to poor adaptation to overstress e.g. separation related behaviours

Question 8

what perceives the threat that triggers a stress response?

Answer 8

CNS perceives threat which develops to biological response - perception of the threat is most important

Question 9

what are pituitary hormones found to affect?

Answer 9

found to affect immune competence, behaviour, altered metabolism, failed reproduction

Question 10

what effect does HPA axis have on the body?

Answer 10

has a long lasting effect on the body

Question 11

HPA is usually the…

Answer 11

the primary neuroendocrine axis monitored although other hormones do play a role

Question 12

cortisol is not the only hormone that is related to ‘stress’ - what others are as well?

Answer 12

GH, TSH, GnRH, FSH, prolactin involved too

Question 13

prolactin is positively associated to?

Answer 13

to anxious behaviour

Question 14

oxytocin inhibition is associated with?

Answer 14

with negative and prolonged stress response

Question 15

why is taking blood not always reliable?

Answer 15

act of taking blood is stressful so it will increase cortisol levels
therefore not the ideal way of measuring it

Question 16

what can psychological stress result in?

Answer 16

results in deleterious behaviours such as tail biting in swine or self-mutilation in monkeys

Question 17

metabolism shifts during stress - what can this lead to?

Answer 17

it can cause disruption to growth

Question 18

what can stress suppress?

Answer 18

reproduction and maternal behaviour

Question 19

what is heat stress found to reduce?

Answer 19

preovulatory stage by reducing LH and Estrodial

Question 20

detection of a threat using what?

Answer 20

via visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile sensory nerves

Question 21

stress response?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what are the four behavioural responses to a potential threat?

Answer 22

inhibition
repulsion
appeasement
avoidance

Question 23

common signs of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

modifiers to a stress response? (what can influence a stress response)

Answer 24

genetics
early experience
social relationships
age
human animal interactions

Question 25

stress coping is dependent on what?

Answer 25

dependent on predictability of the stressor

Question 26

predictable stressor and resilience allows the animal to what?

Answer 26

allows them to cope better to a stress response

Question 27

what has been shown to increase aggression in cats when they are older?

Answer 27

early weaning

Question 28

why do elephants (in captivity) have a high rate of infant rejection?

Answer 28

due to prolonged stressors and negative experiences during gestation

Question 29

describe the emotional resilience during the prenatal phase:

Answer 29

maternal stress can influence emotional health and resilience through the HPA axis

Question 30

describe the emotional resilience during the neonatal phase:

Answer 30

(0-2 weeks) dependent on mother for food, support. lack of maternal presence influences resilience and emotional health

Question 31

describe the emotional resilience during the socialisation phase:

Answer 31

(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

Question 32

describe the emotional resilience during the juvenile phase:

Answer 32

(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

Question 33

learned helplessness can occur if?

Answer 33

if they cannot escape from the perceived threat. stress response still persist gives up - depressive state

Question 34

behavioural observation - during learned helplessness?

Answer 34

listless lacking motivation avoids interaction increased vigilance sleeping more over/undereating

Question 35

how to improve animal behaviour - reduce prolonged stress?

Answer 35

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