Effects of long-term exposure to music on behaviour, immunity and performance of piglets
Peng Zhao A D , Jianing Zhao A D , Honggui Liu A C , Runxiang Zhang A , Jianhong Li B , Mingyue Zhang A , Chao Wang A , Yanju Bi A , Xin Zhang A , Ran Yi A , Xiang Li
A C E and Jun Bao A C E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang Road No. 600, 150030, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China.
B College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang Road No. 600, 150030, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China.
C Key Laboratory of Swine Facilities, Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Changjiang Road No. 600, 150030, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China.
D These authors contributed equally to this article.
E Corresponding authors. Email: ryan626@139.com; jbao@neau.edu.cn
Animal Production Science 61(5) 532-539 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20407
Submitted: 10 July 2020 Accepted: 28 October 2020 Published: 1 December 2020
Abstract
Context: Music induces physiological responses in animals, and as an enriched environment, it may have a positive effect on behaviour and productivity.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of different kinds of music on immunity, stress response and performance of piglets.
Methods: In total, 144 hybrid piglets (Yorkshire × Durac × Minpig) at the age of 7 weeks were divided into three treatment groups: slow-tempo string music (65 beats per min), fast-tempo wind music (200 beats per min), and control (i.e. no music). Exposure to music lasted for 42 days, from 8 to 14 weeks of age. During the experimental period, behavioural activities were observed, and physiological parameters, immune responses and growth performance were measured.
Key results: Results showed that long-term music exposure increased (P < 0.01) playing and tail-wagging behaviours compared with the control group, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on walking, lying, exploring, fighting or feeding behaviours. No effect (P > 0.05) was found on the levels of growth hormone, salivary cortisol, serum cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, β-endorphin or dopamine, or on the performance of growing pigs. However, the specific music type slow-tempo string significantly (P < 0.05) increased interleukin-4.
Conclusions: Long-term exposure to music does not affect stress response or growth performance in piglets. However, it promotes positive mood as indicated by increased playing and tail-wagging activities, and induces positive immunomodulation through increased interleukin-4 levels in piglets.
Implications: Exposure to music may be used to promote positive mood, and hence enhance welfare, in piglets.
Keywords: ACTH, IL-4, enriched environment, immunity, music stimulation, music type, performance, piglets.
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