Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-05-03T18:25:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Camila Mendon?a Netto Jobim.pdf: 2312664 bytes, checksum: b9e51b7bf56f9bfc3fabc284e20448e8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-03T18:25:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Camila Mendon?a Netto Jobim.pdf: 2312664 bytes, checksum: b9e51b7bf56f9bfc3fabc284e20448e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-25 / Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorder in society. This disorders may occur as a result of an individual?s inability to face a stress event (physical or emotional), which can happen in youth or adulthood. The exposure to stressors during the perinatal period can cause consequences for life. Thus environmental enrichment is used either as preventive or attenuating stressor events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioural response related to anxiety on the offspring of females mice raised in an enriched environment during their perinatal period. Experimentally was created male and female groups during tree generation (F0, F1 and F2). Animals was raised in standard environment (P) and enriched environment (E) in F0. In the next generation (F1), females that was born in E was placed to P and composed the E-P group. Therefore, in F2 we had the P, E-P and E group. This group had their maternal behavior observed, submitted to behavioral models, plasmatic corticosterone assayed as well the expression of the AVP1a, AVP1b, CRH1, CRH2 and OT receptors. As results, we verify that the enriched environment only in F0 changed the maternal behavior (46,8?8,9% P; 77,8?5,4% E; p=0,0138). The anxiolytic effect was noted in all the models applied. In elevated plus maze it was observed in E group during all the generation. Only in F2, the E group showed anxiolytic effect in open field test. On light-dark box, the E-P and E group was different of P in latency to explore the light part in F1 and F2. The last generation, F2, was tested and showed a different latency to eat the pellet in novelty suppressed feeding test. The E group had the shortest time to eat the pellet, followed by E-P and P had the biggest (147,7?15,7s; 101,4?8,8s; 62,8?9,4s; F=13,0700 p=0,0001 - male) (143,7?11,4s; 93,7?20,4s; 38,3?5,3s; F=16,1900 p<0,0001 - female). The transgeracional effect could be visualized in light-dark box and novelty suppressed feeding tests because the E-P group had their behavior similar to E even that had not been directly exposed to the enriched environment. There is no difference between sexes in results of the models. The neuroendocrine analyzes there no significate result. Then, we suggest that transgenerational effect is due to exposure of the dams to the environmental enrichment during perinatal period. / Os transtornos de ansiedade est?o entre as doen?as psiqui?tricas mais comuns na sociedade. Eles se d?o pela incapacidade do indiv?duo em lidar com um evento estressor (f?sico ou emocional), podendo acometer desde a inf?ncia at? a idade adulta. O desencadeamento da ansiedade no per?odo perinatal pode acarretar em mudan?as comportamentais ao longo da vida. Neste sentido, o enriquecimento ambiental ? utilizado tanto como atenuante dos efeitos estressores quanto como preventivo. Sendo assim, buscou-se avaliar comportamentos relacionados ? ansiedade de filhotes de f?meas expostas ao enriquecimento ambiental durante per?odo perinatal. Para isso foram criados grupos de machos e f?meas ao longo de tr?s gera??es-F0, F1 e F2. Em F0 foram montados 2 grupos, o padr?o (P) e o enriquecido (E). Em F1 f?meas que estavam em ambiente enriquecido durante o per?odo perinatal foram passadas para o ambiente padr?o formando o grupo enriquecimento-padr?o (E-P). F2 ent?o passou a ter grupos dos tr?s grupos, P, E-P e E. Estes grupos foram submetidos a observa??es do comportamento materno, modelos de ansiedade, dosagem de corticosterona plasm?tica e a avalia??o da express?o dos genes para os receptores AVP1a, AVP1b, CRH1, CRH2 e OT. Como resultados verificamos que o comportamento materno em F0 foi maior no grupo enriquecido (E) (46,8?8,9% P; 77,8?5,4% E; p=0,0138), por?m n?o em F1 (68,4?4,1% P; 71,1?6% E-P; 78,1?3,1% E; F=0,8120 p=0,4689). Foi constatado o efeito ansiol?tico nos modelos comportamentais utilizados. No labirinto em cruz elevado-LCE, este efeito pode ser notado apenas no grupo E das tr?s gera??es avaliadas. No campo aberto CA, apenas o grupo E de F2 apresentou comportamentos relacionados a ansiedade significativamente diferentes dos demais grupos. O teste da caixa claro-escuro-CCE mostrou diferen?a entre os grupos E-P e E em rela??o ao grupo P na lat?ncia para explorar o ambiente claro em F1 e F2. E o teste da supress?o da alimenta??o pela novidade-NSF indicou que os grupos s?o diferentes entre si na lat?ncia para se alimentar, o maior tempo foi de P, seguido de E-P e depois de E (147,7?15,7s; 101,4?8,8s; 62,8?9,4s; F=13,0700 p=0,0001 - Machos) (143,7?11,4s; 93,7?20,4s; 38,3?5,3s; F=16,1900 p<0,0001 - F?meas). Pode ser constado o efeito transgeracional em CCE e NSF, onde a exposi??o da m?e ao enriquecimento influenciou o comportamento dos filhotes que n?o foram diretamente expostos ao ambiente enriquecido. Todos os resultados dos modelos comportamentais valem para machos e f?meas e n?o h? diferen?as em rela??o ao g?nero. Os par?metros neuroend?crinos analisados n?o mostraram diferen?a significativa entre os grupos. Sugere-se ent?o que o efeito transgeracional se deu apenas pela exposi??o das m?es ao ambiente enriquecido no per?odo perinatal e manifestou-se comportamentalmente.

Manter animais em cativeiro implica no dever ético de lhes proporcionar saúde física e psicológica. Procedimentos conhecidos como Enriquecimento Ambiental buscam elevar o bem-estar de animais cativos. Neste trabalho, três artefatos foram testados para avaliar sua eficácia como enriquecimento ambiental para macacos-prego (Cebus apella). Dois destes artefatos (Brinquedo e Caixa de forrageamento) já haviam sido testados anteriormente por Boinski et al. (1999). O terceiro artefato (Ferramenta) foi testado pela primeira vez e buscava proporcionar aos animais a possibilidade de executar um comportamento típico da espécie: a quebra de cocos. Usamos medidas comportamentais e de corticosterona fecal para medir os efeitos dos artefatos. Foram encontradas algumas diferenças significativas entre as condições experimentais (controles e com artefatos), e entre a freqüência de interação com os artefatos, porém os resultados não nos possibilitam afirmar se algum dos artefatos seria um enriquecimento ambiental eficaz para macacos-prego cativos. Acreditamos que experimentos ainda devem ser feitos para elucidar os efeito de fatores como: o ambiente externo ao recinto, os procedimentos de manutenção direcionados aos animais e a metodologia de aplicação dos artefatos, sobre o bem-estar de animais cativos. / Keeping animals in captivity implies in an ethical duty of offering conditions that foster their physical and psychological health. Procedures known as Environmental Enrichment seek to enhance animals’ life quality. Here we tested three stimuli efficiency as environmental enrichment for captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Two which had been previously tested (Toy and Box) by Boinski et al. (1999). The third one (Tool) was tested for the first time and aimed giving the animals the opportunity to perform a species-typical behavior: cracking open nuts. The stimuli had their effects measured by behavioral and fecal corticosterone sampling. Some statistical significant differences were found between experimental conditions (control and stimuli) and between the frequencies of interaction with the stimuli. The data, however, did not point to any of the tested stimuli as effective environmental enrichment for capuchin monkeys. We believe, therefore, that more research should be conducted in order to clarify the effects of factors such as the environment outside the cages, the maintenance procedures, and the stimulus presentation procedures, on the well-being of captive animals.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF MARCUS C. ABSTON, for the Master of Science degree in ZOOLOGY, presented on 18 April 2017, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: EFFECTS OF OLFACTORY ENRICHMENT ON AFRICAN CHEETAHS (ACINONYX JUBATUS) MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Carey Krajewski Environmental enrichment has been an essential part of felid husbandry in zoos, serving to reduce both physiological and psychological stress. Olfactory enrichment is one of many interventions used to prevent stereotypic behavior caused by stress in felids. However, little research has been done on this practice. The purpose of this study was to compare behavioral responses of four captive African cheetahs to six types of commercial fragrances used as olfactory enrichment stimuli. Three of these fragrances are marketed as “men’s cologne” and three as “women’s perfume”. The fragrances were also categorized as musky, spice, and floral types. Behavioral responses were recorded by live observations during 36 bouts at the St. Louis Zoo. There was a significant difference between cheetahs’ interaction time with male and female fragrances; they seemed to prefer male colognes. However, there was no significant difference in interaction time among fragrance types. Engagement behaviors varied among individuals (e.g. sniffing, scent rolling, pawing), but were similar to those reported by previous authors. These findings suggest that commercial fragrances may be a useful option for African cheetah olfactory enrichment.

Eventos estressantes durante a infância promovem alterações comportamentais e encefálicas persistentes, aumentando a predisposição para transtornos psiquiátricos. A separação materna tem sido utilizada como modelo de estresse pós-natal. Animais submetidos à separação materna apresentam uma resposta exacerbada do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal ao estresse. Ao contrário, estudos sugerem que o ambiente enriquecido, por aumentar a neurogênese no giro denteado do hipocampo, pode ter efeitos benéficos sobre doenças de distúrbio comportamental. No presente projeto questionamos se o enriquecimento ambiental interfere com as alterações plásticas promovidas pela separação materna no hipocampo de ratos jovens. Utilizamos imunofluorescência, microscopia confocal, microscopia eletrônica e qRT- PCR de amostras coletadas por microdissecção a laser. A separação materna reduziu a neurogênese hipocampal, bem como a expressão de mRNA para os genes Nr3c1, codificador de receptores glicocorticóides, e Htr1a, codificador de receptores serotoninérgicos (5TH-1A). O enriquecimento ambiental reduziu a expressão de Htr1a. Além disso, aumentou a proporção de sinapses sobre espinhos dendríticos, sugerindo maior plasticidade sináptica. O enriquecimento ambiental, nos animais previamente submetidos à separação materna, aumentou a sobrevivência celular e a expressão de Nr3c1, mas não a diferenciação neuronal hipocampal. As alterações promovidas pela separação materna parecem ser persistentes, mas podem ser parcialmente revertidas pelo enriquecimento do ambiente. / Stressful events during childhood promote persistent behavioral and brain changes, increasing the predisposition to psychiatric disorders. The maternal separation has been used as postnatal stress model. Animals subjected to maternal separation exhibit an exaggerated response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to stress. Instead, studies suggest that environmental enrichment, by increasing neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, has beneficial effects on behavioral disorders. In this project, we discuss whether the environmental enrichment interferes with plastic changes promoted by maternal separation in the hippocampus of young rats. We used immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy and qRT-PCR of samples collected by a laser microdissection system. The maternal separation reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as the mRNA expression for the genes Nr3c1, that codify glycocorticoid receptors, and Htr1a, that codify serotonin receptors (5HT-1A). Environmental enrichment reduced the expression of Htr1a. Furthermore, increases the proportion of synapses on dendritic spines, suggesting greater synaptic plasticity. The environment enrichment of the animals subjected to maternal separation increased cell survival and the expression of Nr3c1 mRNA, but not the neuronal differentiation in the hippocampus. The changes promoted by maternal separation are persistent, however may be partially reversed by the environmental enrichment.

This thesis examined whether it is possible to enhance core elements of the information processing system with specific forms of environmental stimulation. The first series of experiments demonstrated that a preweaning environmental enrichment procedure that provided 60 minutes of daily multisensory stimulation accelerated the development of long-term contextual memory and enhanced inhibitory processing in young rats. That is, whilst stimulated and non-stimulated rats exhibited long-term memory of a context at 26 days of age, only stimulated rats showed this ability at 18 days of age. In addition, stimulated rats showed a faster rate of extinction of long-term contextual memory at 21 days of age, which was taken as evidence of enhanced inhibitory learning (i.e., context ??? no US) in these rats. Subsequent experiments with adult rats demonstrated that a combination of preweaning multisensory stimulation and postweaning rearing in an enriched environment improved the (1) specificity of long-term contextual memory, (2) speed of contextual information processing, and (3) availability of attentional resources. More specifically, enriched-reared rats demonstrated superior ability to discriminate between two similar contexts in comparison to standard-reared rats. In addition, enriched-reared rats showed superior memory of a context when there was limited time available to form a memory of that context. This finding was taken to indicate that rats that receive environmental enrichment are able to process contextual information more rapidly. Finally, standard-, but not enriched-, reared rats showed less conditioning to a discrete stimulus when it was presented in combination with a stronger stimulus during training compared to when it was presented by itself. The finding that enriched-reared rats did not show this overshadowing effect suggests that these rats have greater availability of attentional resources to divide between two stimuli that are competing for attention. The experiments with rats were followed by two experiments with children that investigated the effects of a computerised cognitive training procedure on information-processing speed. These experiments demonstrated that 30-minutes per weekday of training in rapid decision-making for three to five weeks improved children???s performance on two tests of processing speed (i.e., a choice reaction time and odd-man-out task). In addition, the speeded training improved children???s ability to sustain their attention and inhibit impulsive responses on a continuous performance test (Test of Variables of Attention). The cognitive training procedure had no effect on children???s performance on a measure of fluid intelligence (Raven???s Standard Progressive Matrices). The results of the experiments reported in this thesis suggest that a number of fundamental cognitive processes can be modified by environmental conditions that place increasing demands on the information-processing system. A neurobiological model, focusing on myelin, axon diameter, and the glutamatergic, glucocorticoid, noradrenergic, and cholinergic systems, was proposed in order to explain the observed effects of environmental stimulation on cognition in children and rats. The rationale for attempting to enhance fundamental cognitive processes was that improving these processes should ultimately improve general intellectual functioning. With respect to this aim, the correlational data from the present experiments with children revealed promising trends towards greater improvements on the tests of fundamental cognitive processes in those children in the training group with slower processing speed at the start of the intervention. This finding suggests that cognitive training may be even more effective at enhancing processing speed and other fundamental cognitive processes in children with intellectual impairments???who reportedly have slower processing speed than normal children. However, the extent to which training-related improvements in fundamental cognitive processes generalise to improvements in general cognitive functioning is unclear. That is, there is insufficient evidence that processing speed and other fundamental cognitive processes are causally related to intelligence. It is therefore essential that future cognitive training research is mindful of related developments within the intelligence and information processing literature.

<p>In this study I assessed the effect of objects and odors as environmental enrichment for two captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia) at Kolmården Wildlife Park. Five odors (lavender, lemon balm, cumin, cinnamon and catnip) were used to impregnate four different types of enrichment objects (boomer balls®, tennis balls, ropes, logs). During test sessions, one odorized and one non-odorized enrichment object of the same type were introduced in the snow leopards’ outdoor enclosure. The behavior, activity and location of the snow leopards were recorded and compared to their behavior during baseline sessions. During the test sessions I recorded the number and types of interactions with the enrichment objects. Both snow leopards interacted more often with odorized than with non-odorized enrichment objects. The number of interactions differed markedly between the types of enrichment objects and between the different odors. Both snow leopards interacted most often with boomer balls® and least often with logs. They interacted most often with cinnamon and least often with lemon balm (Brahma) and catnip (Binu). The results suggest that both the type of object and the odor play a role in capturing the interest of the snow leopards. The snow leopards behavioral diversity increased during the study and they could increase their performance of species-specific behavior. I did not see any indications of habituation during the testing period. The results indicate that enrichment objects impregnated with odors can be an effective environmental enrichment for captive snow leopards.</p>

In this study I assessed the effect of objects and odors as environmental enrichment for two captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia) at Kolmården Wildlife Park. Five odors (lavender, lemon balm, cumin, cinnamon and catnip) were used to impregnate four different types of enrichment objects (boomer balls®, tennis balls, ropes, logs). During test sessions, one odorized and one non-odorized enrichment object of the same type were introduced in the snow leopards’ outdoor enclosure. The behavior, activity and location of the snow leopards were recorded and compared to their behavior during baseline sessions. During the test sessions I recorded the number and types of interactions with the enrichment objects. Both snow leopards interacted more often with odorized than with non-odorized enrichment objects. The number of interactions differed markedly between the types of enrichment objects and between the different odors. Both snow leopards interacted most often with boomer balls® and least often with logs. They interacted most often with cinnamon and least often with lemon balm (Brahma) and catnip (Binu). The results suggest that both the type of object and the odor play a role in capturing the interest of the snow leopards. The snow leopards behavioral diversity increased during the study and they could increase their performance of species-specific behavior. I did not see any indications of habituation during the testing period. The results indicate that enrichment objects impregnated with odors can be an effective environmental enrichment for captive snow leopards.

Besides age, inheritance of the apoE-E4 allele is the main risk factor for late-onset AD. To determine the role of apoE in amyloid deposition, we studied mice expressing both mutant human amyloid [beta]-protein precursor (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) that were either normal or knocked-out for apoE. By 7 months, amorphous A[beta] deposition developed equally in both lines, indicating that A[beta] alone is sufficient for deposition to occur. In contrast, filamentous amyloid deposition was catalyzed at least 3000 fold by apoE. Electron micrographs further illustrate the filamentous nature of these plaques. These results and other, behavioral, data indicate that the primary function of apoE in AD is to promote the polymerization of A[beta] into mature, neurotoxic, amyloid. ApoE is also synthesized in the liver and is crucial in cholesterol metabolism, for mice lacking apoE exhibit hypercholesterolemia. We investigated neuropathology in mice using an uncommon technique, parabiosis, to determine whether apoE in the peripheral circulation influences brain amyloid formation. This surgical procedure allows exchange of proteins via peripheral circulation. We show that plasma apoE is found in parabiosed PS/APP/apoE-KO mice, rescuing their hypercholesterolemia. Unexpectedly, amyloid deposition is reduced in parabiosed PS/APP/apoE-KO mice compared to PS/APP controls. ApoE in the periphery seems to slightly reduce amyloid burden, by likely promoting efflux of A[beta];from the brain. These findings reinforce that the mechanisms whereby apoE affects A[beta] metabolism are complex, and the modulation of peripheral apoE metabolism is not likely to impact AD neuropathology. Since cognitive stimulation is associated with lower risk of AD, we sought to investigate the preventative potential of environmental enrichment (EE) using our mouse model.

Maternal stress during the perinatal period has been linked to attention and behavioral problems and increased adrenocortical activity in children. Underlying this relationship is thought to be exposure to excessive glucocorticoids during development. The aim of this set of studies was to determine the effects of chronic maternal stress (CMS) during the perinatal period on behaviour and endocrine function in male and female guinea pig offspring at the juvenile and adult life stage. Environmental enrichment was investigated as a potential therapeutic tool to reverse changes induced by CMS. Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to a sequence of stressors every other day over the second half of gestation until weaning on postnatal day 25. Offspring were tested for ambulatory activity, attention, cognitive function, sex-steroid levels and adrenocortical function. One cohort of animals were housed in an enriched environment, the remaining offspring were housed in standard conditions. A separate cohort was administered amphetamine (1 mg/kg) prior to behavioural testing to determine influence of CMS on dopaminergic function. Juvenile male and female offspring of mothers exposed to stress exhibited increased basal and decreased stress-induced salivary cortisol, and male offspring displayed reduced activity and a phase shift in their circadian rhythm of activity. Adult male offspring of CMS mothers exhibited increased activity in a novel environment and decreased activity in a familiar environment. Female adult offspring of CMS mothers exhibited reduced attention and increased activity in a novel environment. Enrichment acted independently of CMS, increasing plasma testosterone and attention in adult male offspring and reducing the adrenocortical response to stress and decreasing attention and activity in female offspring. Amphetamine decreased activity in a novel environment and increased activity in a familiar environment in both sexes, regardless of age or maternal treatment. Amphetamine improved attention in juvenile and adult males. The current studies demonstrated a strong effect of CMS on behaviour in juvenile and adult offspring. Enrichment was not effective for attenuating the effects of CMS. These studies clearly demonstrate behavioural changes as a result of CMS emerge over the lifetime of the offspring and have begun to uncover the underlying mechanisms of programming.

Maternal stress during the perinatal period has been linked to attention and behavioral problems and increased adrenocortical activity in children. Underlying this relationship is thought to be exposure to excessive glucocorticoids during development. The aim of this set of studies was to determine the effects of chronic maternal stress (CMS) during the perinatal period on behaviour and endocrine function in male and female guinea pig offspring at the juvenile and adult life stage. Environmental enrichment was investigated as a potential therapeutic tool to reverse changes induced by CMS. Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to a sequence of stressors every other day over the second half of gestation until weaning on postnatal day 25. Offspring were tested for ambulatory activity, attention, cognitive function, sex-steroid levels and adrenocortical function. One cohort of animals were housed in an enriched environment, the remaining offspring were housed in standard conditions. A separate cohort was administered amphetamine (1 mg/kg) prior to behavioural testing to determine influence of CMS on dopaminergic function. Juvenile male and female offspring of mothers exposed to stress exhibited increased basal and decreased stress-induced salivary cortisol, and male offspring displayed reduced activity and a phase shift in their circadian rhythm of activity. Adult male offspring of CMS mothers exhibited increased activity in a novel environment and decreased activity in a familiar environment. Female adult offspring of CMS mothers exhibited reduced attention and increased activity in a novel environment. Enrichment acted independently of CMS, increasing plasma testosterone and attention in adult male offspring and reducing the adrenocortical response to stress and decreasing attention and activity in female offspring. Amphetamine decreased activity in a novel environment and increased activity in a familiar environment in both sexes, regardless of age or maternal treatment. Amphetamine improved attention in juvenile and adult males. The current studies demonstrated a strong effect of CMS on behaviour in juvenile and adult offspring. Enrichment was not effective for attenuating the effects of CMS. These studies clearly demonstrate behavioural changes as a result of CMS emerge over the lifetime of the offspring and have begun to uncover the underlying mechanisms of programming.