Kawaguchi Hiroaki, Ijiri Moe, Sato Motohiko, Kanno Chihiro, Miura Hiroshi, Ono Hisaya K, Fujimoto Yoshikazu, Matsuo Tomohide
Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
Transl Anim Sci. 2025 Apr 29;9:txaf030. doi: 10.1093/tas/txaf030. eCollection 2025.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment through ear acupoints on transport stress in domestic pigs. Experiment 1 [Safety test of new starch-circular transdermal needles (CTNs)]: Four experimental minipigs underwent the application of starch-CTNs to ear acupoints, and they were observed for 2 wk to identify any gross abnormalities. Experiment 2 (Transport stress experiment): thirty-four domestic pigs were divided into three groups: Group 1: control without treatment; Group 2: acupuncture treatment using stainless-CTNs; Group 3: acupuncture treatment using starch-CTNs. Blood samples were collected on bloodletting in the slaughterhouse, and stress and oxidative stress markers, and other biochemical factors were examined. Experiment 3 (Follow-up study): The incidence of abnormal internal organs on carcass inspection was investigated. In Experiment 1, no abnormalities were observed in any of the animals. In Experiment 2, the acupuncture treatment improved the changes in blood cortisol, noradrenaline, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP)/d-ROMs ratio. In Experiment 3, The acupuncture treatment improved rates of an abnormal digestive tract, pancreas, and heart. In conclusion, it was suggested that the acupuncture treatment through acupoints in ears using stainless- and new starch-CTNs suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function, central catecholaminergic system, and affects blood oxidative stress, and consequently reduces transport stress, and can improve animal welfare for domestic pigs.
本研究旨在探讨通过耳穴针刺治疗对家猪运输应激的影响。实验1[新型淀粉环形透皮针（CTNs）的安全性测试]：4只实验小型猪在耳穴应用淀粉CTNs，并观察2周以确定是否有任何明显异常。实验2（运输应激实验）：34头家猪分为三组：第1组：未治疗的对照组；第2组：使用不锈钢CTNs进行针刺治疗；第3组：使用淀粉CTNs进行针刺治疗。在屠宰场放血时采集血样，并检测应激和氧化应激标志物以及其他生化因子。实验3（随访研究）：调查胴体检查时内脏器官异常的发生率。在实验1中，未在任何动物中观察到异常。在实验2中，针刺治疗改善了血液皮质醇、去甲肾上腺素、活性氧代谢产物衍生物（d-ROMs）和生物抗氧化潜能（BAP）/d-ROMs比值的变化。在实验3中，针刺治疗改善了消化道、胰腺和心脏的异常发生率。总之，提示使用不锈钢和新型淀粉CTNs通过耳穴进行针刺治疗可抑制下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺功能、中枢儿茶酚胺能系统，并影响血液氧化应激，从而减轻运输应激，并可改善家猪的动物福利。
