Kim Junyoung, Park Youngjae, Kim Eun Joong, Jung Heejun, Yoon Minjung
Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
Department of Equine Industry and Sports with Therapeutic Riding, Jeonju Kijeon College, Jeonju 54989, Korea.
J Anim Sci Technol. 2021 Mar;63(2):453-460. doi: 10.5187/jast.2021.e29. Epub 2021 Mar 31.
Oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT) are essential neurotransmitters associated with the behavior of animals. Recently, we found that the plasma concentration of OXT is positively correlated with horse docility and friendliness toward humans. However, the relationships between the neurotransmitters and other temperaments such as fearfulness, dominance, and trainability are unknown. This study aimed to identify whether the plasma concentration of OXT or 5-HT is correlated with fearfulness, dominance, and trainability of horses. Blood samples of 34 horses were collected at the Horse Industry Complex Center of Jeonju Kijeon College. The concentration of OXT and 5-HT was measured in the plasma samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The fearfulness, dominance, and trainability of horses were scored by three professors who were very familiar with the horses. One-way analysis of variance with the least significant difference post-hoc analysis was used to compare the scores for fearfulness and dominance among groups. The trainability of horses was compared using the student -test. The 5-HT was negatively correlated with dominance, but it had no relation with fearfulness. The OXT appeared to be negatively correlated with fearfulness and dominance in horses. Furthermore, OXT was positively correlated with the trainability of horses. Additionally, 5-HT appeared to enhance trainability. In conclusion, the concentration of OXT or 5-HT in horse blood plasma can be used as a biomarker to monitor the fearfulness, dominance, or trainability of horses.
催产素（OXT）和血清素（5-HT）是与动物行为相关的重要神经递质。最近，我们发现OXT的血浆浓度与马的温顺程度以及对人类的友好程度呈正相关。然而，这些神经递质与其他性情特征（如恐惧、支配欲和可训练性）之间的关系尚不清楚。本研究旨在确定OXT或5-HT的血浆浓度是否与马的恐惧、支配欲和可训练性相关。在全州基全学院的马业综合中心采集了34匹马的血样。使用酶联免疫吸附测定法测量血浆样本中OXT和5-HT的浓度。由三位非常熟悉这些马的教授对马的恐惧、支配欲和可训练性进行评分。采用单因素方差分析及最小显著差事后分析来比较各组之间的恐惧和支配评分。使用学生t检验比较马的可训练性。5-HT与支配欲呈负相关，但与恐惧无关。OXT似乎与马的恐惧和支配欲呈负相关。此外，OXT与马的可训练性呈正相关。另外，5-HT似乎能增强可训练性。总之，马血浆中OXT或5-HT的浓度可作为监测马的恐惧、支配欲或可训练性的生物标志物。
