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Can linear enamel hypoplasia be used as a novel welfare indicator in pigs?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

E. Genever*
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
K. Dobney
Affiliation:
Univeristy of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom
D.M. Broom
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Extract

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) produces abnormal incremental lines or depressions in teeth enamel caused by a deficiency in the growth of calcified tissue. The depth and width of the LEH events can indicate the severity and duration of a stressful life event. LEH can be used to investigate developmental stress, as it will occur when the individual is unable to cope with environmental stressors during development, such as food shortage, pathological challenge or other stressful events. The LEH technique has been used by zoo-archaeologists to obtain information on early domestication and husbandry practices in ancient populations of pigs, where high levels of LEH have been found to correspond to birth and weaning. The objective of this work was to investigate if LEH was present in modern pigs and whether it could be used as a welfare indicator.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

Bartussek, H. (2001) An Historical Account of the Development of the Animal Needs Index. Acta Agriculturaw Scandinavica Section A – Animal Science, Suppl. 30: 34–41.Google Scholar
Dobney, K., Ervynck, A. and La Ferla, B. (2002) Assessment and Further Development of the Recording and Interpretation of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia in Archaeological Pig Populations. Environmental Archaelogy, 7: 35–46.Google Scholar