Profile

Research into behaviour and stress biology. Main focus is on the mechanisms controlling the behaviour of animals – including the interaction between brain-hormones and behaviour to investigate how e.g. fearful and other unwanted behaviours in domestic animals can be reduced and the welfare improved. As a part of this work, tests for the reaction of animals are developed and validated.

The PhD study dealt with fear in farm mink, connection between the neurotransmitter serotonin and peripherical expression, in terms of behaviour and physiology, using breeding lines of mink selected for temperament. 

Stress biological investigation of the connection between stressors in domestic animals and the secretion of hormones from the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis, including the controlling factors of this system. Further, behavioural and hormone factors of importance for the early young mortality in both farm mink and pigs are investigated.