The possibility of evaluating the temperaments of puppies using a character diagnosis test and urinary physiological parameters was investigated after their admission to an animal care centre (Hallo Animal) in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Puppies were collected from 11 health centers (shelters) in Nagano and transferred to Hallo Animal, where they were used as subjects for the investigation; all the puppies were of mixed breed. The character diagnosis test was conducted on admission to Hallo Animal. Animal care centre personnel collected the urine of the puppies on days 0〜2 (AFTER ADMISSION, day of arrival at the centre=day 0). Sampling was performed at 13:00〜13:30 hours. The concentrations of urinary catecholamine, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results of the character diagnosis test and levels of urinary physiological parameters were not significantly different between males and females. Scores pertaining to items 4 (Examination dominance) and 5 (Restraint dominance) in the character diagnosis test were significantly lower in puppies aged 7〜9 weeks (item 4: 3.2±0.8; item 5: 3.4±0.7; p<0.05 for both) than in those aged 4〜6 weeks (item 4: 3.8±0.6; item 5: 3.9±0.7). Noradrenalin and serotonin concentrations were significantly higher in puppies aged 7〜9 weeks (22.3±22.3ng/mL; 93.7±62.0ng/mL, respectively; p<0.05 for both) than in those aged 4〜6 weeks (52.1±40.7ng/mL; 177.3±107.5ng/mL, respectively). The score of item 1 (Social attraction) correlated with that of noradrenalin (r_s=0.590, p<0.05) in puppies aged 4〜6 weeks. It is concluded that the character diagnosis test and urinary physiological parameters are useful measures in the evaluation of the temperament of puppies; however, it is necessary to take into account differences in behavioral developments.

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The objective of this study was to examine the effect of tunnel ventilation system on productivity of dairy cattle in the summer heat. The study was performed at the University Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University. The tunnel ventilation system was established in a stanchion shed for dairy cattle, set to produce 2.3±0.1m/s constant wind. The tunnel ventilation system and natural ventilation was operated by turns every one week, and the effects of the ventilation system on the environment, cow's body condition, lactation performance and incidence of disease were examined. Ten cows were used in this experiment. To measure the effect on the environment, we measured indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. To measure the effect on the cow's body condition, we measured respiration rate and rectal temperature. To measure the effect on the lactation performance, we measured milk yield, milk fat, protein, lactose and solids-not-fat (SNF) ratio and somatic cell count. Incidence of the disease was also examined. When the tunnel ventilation system was used, there was less difference between the inside and outside temperatures, the inside temperature decreased with outside temperature. The respiration rate and rectal temperature of the cows decreased (P<0.05). Milk yield and milk protein ratio increased gradually, and SNF increased significantly (P<0.05). Decrease of cow's appetite was observed in the natural ventilation. These results show that a tunnel ventilation system improves body condition and lactation performance of dairy cattle in a stanchion cow shed in the summer heat.

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