title: Validation of an automated method for salivary alpha-amylase measurements in pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) and its application as a stress biomarker.
abstract: The aim of the current study was to validate an automated spectrophotometric method for salivary alpha-amylase measurement in pigs and evaluate its possible application as a noninvasive stress biomarker. The analytical validation included intra- and interassay precision, linearity under dilution, and limit of detection. In addition, to study the possible use of salivary alpha-amylase as a possible stress marker, 12 crossbred growing pigs of 3-4 months of age were subjected to restraint stress by a nasal snare for at least 1 min, and saliva samples were obtained at different time points. The results of analytical validation indicated that the method was precise and able to measure alpha-amylase in a linear manner. The results obtained in the stress test showed a significant increase in salivary alpha-amylase activity. Although other factors influencing this enzyme activity should be studied, these preliminary results indicate that salivary alpha-amylase could be a reliable biomarker of stress in pigs.
authors.affiliation: Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary School, University of Murcia, Campus of Espinardo, Murcia 30100, Spain. ftecles@um.es
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tecles
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Otal
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martínez-Subiela
authors.forename: José J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cerón
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D057230:Limit of Detection; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000662:veterinary*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases