Santos Natalia R, Beck Alexandra, Maenhoudt Cindy, Fontbonne Alain
Unité de Médecine de l'Elevage et du Sport (UMES), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
Ceva Santé Animale, 33500 Libourne, France.
Animals (Basel). 2020 Dec 4;10(12):2295. doi: 10.3390/ani10122295.
ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, was shown to modify the dam-puppies' interactions during the neonatal period but could also influence the weaning period. Fourteen bitch/litter dyads continuously exposed to ADAPTIL from the third/fourth weeks until the seventh/eighth weeks postpartum were compared to 11 dyads exposed to a placebo. Maternal and puppy behaviours were video-recorded, and at three time points (weeks three/four, weeks five/six and weeks seven/eight) after parturition. The well-being of the puppies and the overall relationship with the bitch were assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS) completed by the caregivers. All mothering behaviours, such as time of contact, licking and the amount of time dedicated to nursing puppies, decreased gradually from weeks three/four to weeks seven/eight. A switch in nursing position was observed over time: the use of the standing position increased compared to the lying position. The treatment had an effect on the nursing position: bitches in the ADAPTIL group nursed more often in a lying ( = 0.007) or sitting position ( = 0.037), whereas for the placebo group, they favoured the standing position ( = 0.011). Once the puppies became more demanding for suckling, the bitches started showing rejection signs or aggressive growling, with a peak at weeks seven/eight. The pheromone seemed to reduce the intensity of avoidance in bitches exposed to ADAPTIL at all time points. The score of all events combined as a sign of frustration showed a difference over the full period ( = 0.003), with the placebo group having a significantly higher score. From the caregiver perspective (through the VAS), under ADAPTIL, the bitches were calmer when puppies tried to suckle ( = 0.001), more tolerant towards pups ( = 0.025), showed a greater motherly attitude ( = 0.016), the puppies cried less when left alone ( < 0.001) and interactions amongst pups were more harmonious ( = 0.055). Under ADAPTIL, the bitches were less annoyed by the puppies, who seemed to cope better with frustration. The breeders perceived a benefit of the pheromone during the weaning period.
安抚妥（ADAPTIL）是一种能让狗狗安心的信息素，已证实它可改变新生期母犬与幼犬之间的互动，而且对断奶期也有影响。将14对母犬/幼犬组合与11对接受安慰剂处理的组合进行比较，前者从产后第三/四周开始直至第七/八周持续接触安抚妥。在产后三个时间点（第三/四周、第五/六周和第七/八周）对母犬和幼犬的行为进行视频记录。使用护理人员填写的视觉模拟量表（VAS）评估幼犬的健康状况以及与母犬的整体关系。所有母性行为，如接触时间、舔舐以及用于哺育幼犬的时间，从第三/四周到第七/八周逐渐减少。随着时间推移观察到哺乳姿势发生了变化：站立姿势的使用相较于躺卧姿势有所增加。处理对哺乳姿势有影响：安抚妥组的母犬更多以躺卧姿势（P = 0.007）或坐姿（P = 0.037）哺乳，而安慰剂组的母犬则更倾向于站立姿势（P = 0.011）。一旦幼犬对哺乳的需求增加，母犬开始表现出拒绝迹象或攻击性低吼，在第七/八周达到峰值。这种信息素似乎在所有时间点都降低了接触安抚妥的母犬的回避强度。作为挫折迹象的所有事件综合得分在整个时期存在差异（P = 0.003），安慰剂组得分显著更高。从护理人员的角度（通过VAS）来看，在安抚妥作用下，当幼犬试图哺乳时母犬更平静（P = 0.001），对幼犬更宽容（P = 0.025），表现出更强烈的母性态度（P = 0.016），幼犬独自待着时叫得更少（P < 0.001），幼犬之间的互动更和谐（P = 0.055）。在安抚妥作用下，母犬对幼犬的厌烦程度更低，而幼犬似乎能更好地应对挫折。饲养员认为这种信息素在断奶期有益。
