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Publication
A Alfa Amilase como Biomarcador de Stress em Animais
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Abstract(s)
A alfa-amilase salivar (sAA) é uma enzima associada à ativação do sistema nervoso simpático, sendo
proposta como um biomarcador objetivo e não invasivo do stress. Embora tenha sido mais
amplamente estudada em humanos, o uso da sAA em modelos animais continua a ser pouco
explorado.
O objetivo desta scoping review foi mapear a literatura científica atual sobre a utilização da alfa-
amilase salivar como biomarcador do stress em animais, a fim de identificar lacunas quanto à sua
fiabilidade e aplicabilidade entre espécies e contextos diversos.
Foi realizada uma pesquisa sistemática na base de dados PubMed, seguindo as diretrizes PRISMA-ScR,
utilizando os termos “alpha-amylase”, “stress” e “animals”. Foram incluídos estudos que identificaram
alfa-amilase salivar (e não pancreática) em animais submetidos a situações de stress psicológico ou
fisiológico. De um total de 512 artigos analisados, 21 cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade.
Os estudos incluídos foram publicados entre 2013 e 2024, sendo que 71% foram publicados nos
últimos cinco anos. Os suínos (n = 8 estudos) e os cavalos (n = 5) foram as espécies mais
frequentemente investigadas. No total, 14 dos 21 estudos relataram um aumento estatisticamente
significativo da sAA em resposta a fatores estressantes, doenças ou condições fisiológicas, enquanto
seis não encontraram efeitos significativos. A maioria envolveu indução experimental de stress (n =
10) ou condições clínicas naturais (n = 5), e outros investigaram fatores como sexo, estação do ano ou
diferenças entre espécies (n = 4). No total, apenas dois estudos incluíram animais de companhia.
Embora a alfa-amilase salivar demonstre potencial como biomarcador não invasivo do stress, sua
utilização isolada não é recomendada. A interpretação dos resultados torna-se mais fiável quando
associada a outros marcadores fisiológicos, como o cortisol ou a Immunoglobuline A . Além disso, os
métodos de medição da sAA ainda são diversos, e faltam dados normativos para muitas espécies.
Apesar dessas limitações, o número de publicações tem aumentado nos últimos anos, e os resultados
são, de modo geral, encorajadores quanto ao seu uso futuro na medicina veterinária e na avaliação do
bem-estar animal.
Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is an enzyme, associated with sympathetic nervous system activation, and has been suggested as an objective, non-invasive biomarker of acute stress. Although it has been investigated more frequently in humans, the use of sAA in animals is still an under investigated area. The objective of this scoping review was to provide a map of the current scientific literature for the use of salivary alpha-amylase as a biomarker of animal stress for identifying gaps in the literature on the reliability and applicability across species and conditions. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed following PRISMA-ScR guidelines using the terms “alpha-amylase,” “stress,” and “animals.” Studies were included where they identified salivary (not pancreatic) alpha-amylase in animals involving psychological or physiological stress. Out of 512 records screened, a total of 21 studies met eligibility criteria. The included studies were published between 2013 and 2024, with 71% published in the last five years. Pigs (n = 8 studies) and horses (n = 5) were the most frequently studied species. Overall, 14 out of 21 studies reported a statistically significant increase in sAA in response to stressors, disease, or physiological conditions, while seven reported no significant effect. Most studies involved experimental stress induction (n = 10) or naturally occurring health conditions (n = 5), while others explored factors such as sex, season, or species differences (n = 4). Of all 21 studies, only two involved companion animals. While salivary alpha-amylase shows promise as a non-invasive stress biomarker, it should not be used in isolation. Its interpretation is more reliable when combined with other physiological markers of stress, such as cortisol or immunoglobulin A. Moreover, methods for measuring sAA remain heterogeneous, and normative data are still lacking for many animal species. Despite these limitations, the number of studies on the subject has been increasing in recent years, and the results so far are encouraging regarding its potential use in veterinary science and animal welfare assessment.
Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is an enzyme, associated with sympathetic nervous system activation, and has been suggested as an objective, non-invasive biomarker of acute stress. Although it has been investigated more frequently in humans, the use of sAA in animals is still an under investigated area. The objective of this scoping review was to provide a map of the current scientific literature for the use of salivary alpha-amylase as a biomarker of animal stress for identifying gaps in the literature on the reliability and applicability across species and conditions. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed following PRISMA-ScR guidelines using the terms “alpha-amylase,” “stress,” and “animals.” Studies were included where they identified salivary (not pancreatic) alpha-amylase in animals involving psychological or physiological stress. Out of 512 records screened, a total of 21 studies met eligibility criteria. The included studies were published between 2013 and 2024, with 71% published in the last five years. Pigs (n = 8 studies) and horses (n = 5) were the most frequently studied species. Overall, 14 out of 21 studies reported a statistically significant increase in sAA in response to stressors, disease, or physiological conditions, while seven reported no significant effect. Most studies involved experimental stress induction (n = 10) or naturally occurring health conditions (n = 5), while others explored factors such as sex, season, or species differences (n = 4). Of all 21 studies, only two involved companion animals. While salivary alpha-amylase shows promise as a non-invasive stress biomarker, it should not be used in isolation. Its interpretation is more reliable when combined with other physiological markers of stress, such as cortisol or immunoglobulin A. Moreover, methods for measuring sAA remain heterogeneous, and normative data are still lacking for many animal species. Despite these limitations, the number of studies on the subject has been increasing in recent years, and the results so far are encouraging regarding its potential use in veterinary science and animal welfare assessment.
Description
Keywords
Amilase salivar Stress Animais Indicador Bem-estar Salivary alpha-amylase Animals Indicator Welfare