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MSc project: Assessment of the effect affiliative relationships and tactile contacts on social buffering of stress using salivary oxytocin in pigs
Opportunities for socio-positive (i.e. affiliative) interactions are associated with better welfare in mammalian farm animals. Animals may benefit from affiliative interactions with a familiar group mate via social buffering of stress triggered through activation of the oxytocinergic system, which inhibits the stress-induced activity of the HPA axis to promote the return of levels to normal levels after stress is experienced. However, the characteristics of social interactions responsible for the activation of the oxytocinergic systems remain unknown. Beyond familiarity, the presence of affiliative relationships has been hypothesised to enhance social buffering of stress. Furthermore, the sensorial quality of the interactions may also play a role. For instance, affiliative interactions including physical contacts have been shown to facilitate endogenous peripheral oxytocin release. Yet, research on the role of social relationships and tactile contacts on social buffering is scarce. While most research on the link between oxytocin and affiliative relationship has been conducted in human and non-human primates and rodents, reports in domesticated animals remain limited, especially in farms animals despite direct implications for their welfare. The results obtained from the present study will deepen the knowledge on the implication of salivary oxytocin in the relationship between affiliative interactions and social buffering of stress in farm animals. This research can notably provide support for the further development of a more comprehensive view of the role of oxytocin on animal interactions, which is of high relevance for the basic understanding of social behaviours.
Keywords:
•Ethology
•Welfare
•Endocrinology
**Desired Profile**
•Agronomy
•Biology
**Requirements and Conditions**
•Bachelor's degree in agronomy, biology, or other relevant discipline
•English language competency
•Independence and capacity for teamwork
•Animal handling would be a plus
•Experience or strong interest in laboratory work
•Starting date: June 2025
**How to apply**
•Apply by email with the title of the project in the subject line and address it to Sébastien Goumon
•Provide an up-to-date CV, university transcripts and a cover letter.
•Deadline: until a suitable candidate is found
**Location of the internship**
ETH Zurich (Animal Physiology group) / Agrovet Strickhof, Eschikon 21. 8315 Lindau
**Duration**: 6 months
**Find out more about the group**
Please visit our website www.ap.ethz.ch. For questions about the position please contact Sébastien Goumon
**Desired Profile**
•Agronomy
•Biology
**Requirements and Conditions**
•Bachelor's degree in agronomy, biology, or other relevant discipline
•English language competency
•Independence and capacity for teamwork
•Animal handling would be a plus
•Experience or strong interest in laboratory work
•Starting date: June 2025
**How to apply**
•Apply by email with the title of the project in the subject line and address it to Sébastien Goumon
•Provide an up-to-date CV, university transcripts and a cover letter.
Please visit our website www.ap.ethz.ch. For questions about the position please contact Sébastien Goumon
The present study aims at assessing the effect of affiliative relationships and tactile contacts during separation on social buffering of stress, using salivary oxytocin.
The present study aims at assessing the effect of affiliative relationships and tactile contacts during separation on social buffering of stress, using salivary oxytocin.
**Supervisors**
Dr Carmen Winters,
Dr. Sébastien Goumon and
Prof. Susanne E. Ulbrich
ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology group
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstrasse 2.
8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Email: carmen.winters@usys.ethz.ch
Email: sebastien.goumon@usys.ethz.ch (for application)
Email: susanne.ulbrich@usys.ethz.ch
**Supervisors**
Dr Carmen Winters, Dr. Sébastien Goumon and Prof. Susanne E. Ulbrich
ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology group Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstrasse 2. 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
