» Main Research

a) Development of non-invasive markers of stress
Using salivary, fecal and urinary hormones to assess endocrine status of humans, domestic and wild animals

b) Assessing the effects of stress during early development (pre- & post- natal) on behavioral development
Welfare implications associated with weaning age and environment in both pigs and horses; the impact of weaning age on cognition in pigs; interest in studying early developmental issues in humans.

c) Assessment of animal welfare
Developing protocols to assess the processes by which humans develop their attitudes toward animal welfare issues; developing a novel concept to be used for undergraduate teaching and potential stockperson training."


» Current Funding

Zanella, Templeman & Mendl (2001-2004)
" Hippocampal glucocorticoids mediate behavioral responses to stress in piglets "
March of Dimes Foundation- Holzman et al. (2002-2005)
"Stress and pre-term delivery"
USDA/NRI (http://www.maes.msu.edu/research.htm)

Animal Industry Coalition & Humane Society of the United States - Zanella and Heleski (2002-2004)
"Animal Welfare Judging Teams: An Integrative Way to Assess Animal Welfare"
Grants funded in 2003

USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant- Zanella, Heleski, Laughlin and Snider (2003-2005)
Interactive Animal Welfare Assessment Course

Michigan State University Animal Behavior and Welfare Group (MSU-ABWG) is the recipient of the Higher Education Challenge Grant (USDA). The MSU team, Adroaldo J. Zanella, Camie Heleski & Kirsty Laughlin (MSU-ABWG) and Richard Snider (Department of Zoology), proposed to develop an "Interactive Animal Welfare Assessment Course".  More than 20 research groups will be working with the MSU- ABWG to run the interactive course. Dr. Theresa Bernardo, The College of Veterinary Medicine, Information Technology Group will assist the MSU-ABWG. The methodology to develop the successful proposal evolved from the Animal Welfare Judging/Assessment Concept, which was initially funded by the Animal Industry Coalition, Agriculture and Natural Resources Week and Humane Society of the United States.

National Pork Board - Kirkwood & Zanella (2003-2004)
Influence of gestation housing on sow welfare and productivity
Roy Kirkwood (CVM) and Adroaldo J. Zanella were awarded a grant from the National Pork Board to develop strategies to reduce aggression in group housed sows.