Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39829667›Full record

ArticleVeterinary world2024

Impact of a natural rubber-based scratcher as an environmental enrichment on the scratching behavior, cortisol level, and semen quality of stable male goats.

Sakdichod Kimsakulvech, Prarom Sriphavatsarakom, Sunsaneeya Thaikoed, Waraluk Oupala, Chainarong Punkong, Phirom Prompiram, Somchai Saingkaew, Orachun Hayakijkosol, Tuempong Wongtawan

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In one paragraph

Article in Veterinary world, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Sakdichod KimsakulvechDepartment of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Prarom SriphavatsarakomDepartment of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Sunsaneeya ThaikoedAnimal Behavior and Animal-human Interaction Research Group, Akkhararatchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Waraluk OupalaPasupalun Livestock and Wildlife Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Chainarong PunkongDepartment of Conservation Research and Animal Health, Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Bangpra, The Zoological Park Organization, Chonburi, Thailand.
Phirom PrompiramThe Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Puthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Somchai SaingkaewDepartment of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Orachun HayakijkosolDivision of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical, and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
Tuempong WongtawanAnimal Behavior and Animal-human Interaction Research Group, Akkhararatchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and Aim: Goats are valuable livestock because they can generate meat and milk for human consumption. Goat husbandry is becoming more intensive due to the growing demand for goat products, which may impact animal welfare and natural behavior. This study aimed to investigate the impact of natural rubber (para rubber)-based scratchers as an environmental enrichment on scratching behavior, cortisol levels, and semen quality in stable bucks (male goats/goats). Materials and Methods: Nine male goats were used in this study. Scratching behavior and cortisol levels were used as welfare indicators, whereas semen quality was evaluated as an indicator of reproductive potential. These indicators were analyzed before and after scratcher installation. Results: After installing the scratchers, the goats showed a significant increase in scratching behavior and a notable decrease in cortisol levels (p < 0.001). Notably, the goats exhibited a marked preference for scratching against the scratcher (p < 0.001) compared to the stable. They significantly preferred using their heads for scratching (p < 0.001) instead of other body parts. In addition, goats preferred to scratch on the softest rubber scratchers at specific installation locations (p < 0.001). Although there was a slight improvement in semen quality, there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A natural rubber-based scratcher can increase scratching behavior and reduce cortisol levels, indicating its potential to improve the welfare of farm goats. Selecting an appropriate hardness and preferred location is essential to ensure that the scratcher effectively encourages animals to use it.

Indexed as

cortisolgoatpara rubberscratchersemen quality

Identifiers

PMID39829667
PMCPMC11736381

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.