[Prenatal stress in farm animals: a survey]

Abstract

Some housing conditions and practices in livestock husbandry may be stressful for the animals and may impair their welfare.This is of particular relevance for pregnant dams, because it is known from rodents and primates that prenatal stress (i. e. stress experienced by the mother with impact on the fetal ontogeny) may have long-lasting effects on growth, health and behaviour of the offspring. This review gives a survey of current research on prenatal stress and its consequences in farm animals. In comparison to the well-studied rodent model there are differences in placental structure and prenatal ontogeny. However, the research reveals that also in farm animals prenatal stress can lead to an impairment of growth, immune function, behaviour and stress reactivity in the offspring. Maternal glucocorticoids are discussed as potential mediators and it has been demonstrated that the effects on the offspring depend on the nature of the stressor as well as on its time and duration during gestation. Because prenatal stress in farm animals may be a source of economic and welfare problems by reason of reduced vitality and well-being of the offspring, suggestions for future work in this field of research are made.