Development of farm animal welfare assessment systems on farm and transportation

1. 以行为指标为中心的农场动物福利评估系统的发展日本的乳制品和牛肉生产系统采用德语国家开发的ANI评分系统进行评估。我们提出了ANI系统过于重视放牧时间或户外饲养时间的问题。然后，我们首先开发了改进的ANI系统和基于五自由度的新评估系统。其次，以牛的自梳毛发行为和飞行距离作为基础信息进行研究，完善评价体系。第三，动物的情绪状态也是动物福利评估的重要指标，我们发现了马厩马的积极和消极情绪指标，并表明这些指标可以有效地评估饲养环境。以生理指标为核心的农场动物福利评价体系的建立确定了b -内啡肽可能是鸡情绪研究中最合适的指标之一。此外，b -内啡肽在通过mu-阿片受体调节应激反应中起重要作用。我们还发现，循环NK细胞的数量和ConA诱导的IFN-γ的产生可以作为与运输牛福利水平相关的免疫标记。农场动物运输福利评估系统的发展根据RSPCA的福利标准在日本主要的牲畜市场进行家畜车辆检查。研究了肉牛对长途运输和屠宰场运输的行为和生理反应。检查车辆符合福利标准的大部分要求，但有两项要求不符合，即装货坡道的坡度和装货坡道两侧设置围栏以防止摔倒。由于日本的应激因子存在较大的季节差异，因此必须考虑改善过境动物福利。

1. Development of farm animal welfare assessment system focused on behavioral indicators Japanese dairy and beef production systems were assessed by the ANI scoring system developed in German-speaking countries. We made it appear that the ANI system attaches too much importance on duration of grazing or outdoor-rearing period. Then we firstly developed the improved ANI system and the new assessment system based on Five Freedoms. Secondly, self-grooming behavior and flight distance of cattle were investigated as fundamental information to improve assessment system. Thirdly, as emotional state of animals is also important for animal welfare assessment, we found positive and negative emotional indicators of welfare in stabled horses and showed that these indicators were effective to assess rearing environment.2. Development of farm animal welfare assessment system focused on physiological indicators It was ascertained that B-endorphin might be one of the most suitable indicators for emotional study in chickens. In addition, B-endorphin has an important role in the regulation of stress response via mu-opioid receptor. We also found that the numbers of circulating NK cells and ConA induced IFN-γ production were useful as the immune marker relating to welfare level in transporting cattle.3. Development of farm animal welfare assessment systems on transportation Livestock vehicle inspection was conducted according to the welfare standards of the RSPCA at major livestock markets in Japan. And behavioral and physiological responses of beef steers to long distance and slaughter-house-bound transport were investigated. Vehicles inspected complied with most requirements of the welfare standards, but non-compliance was found in two requirements-slope of the loading ramp and setting fence at each side of the ramp to avoid falling down. Because of big seasonal difference in stress factor in Japan, the necessity to consider it to improve animal welfare in transit was confirmed.