Field: Physiology (metabolism—molecular and cellular biology—...)

Do Insects Feel Pain? How Insect Nervous Systems Reveal Hidden Suffering

Renz Soliman

Published in 2026

Summary of recent research showing that some insects have neural mechanisms that enable them to experience pain, including chronic pain. These findings call into question their treatment in research, farming and wider pest control.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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Human emotional odors influence horses' behavior and physiology

Plotine Jardat, Alexandra Destrez, Fabrice Damon, Noa Tanguy-Guillo, Anne-Lyse Lainé, Céline Parias, Fabrice Reigner, Vitor H. B. Ferreira, Ludovic Calandreau, Léa Lansade

Published in 2026

Scientific study showing that human odors associated with fear produce heightened fear responses in horses and reduced interactions with humans. These results show the key role of olfactory signals in interspecies emotional communication between humans and horses..

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

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Welfare Indicators for Aquaculture Research: Toolkits for Five Farmed European Fish Species

Chris Noble, Wout Abbink, René Alvestad, László Ardó, Marie-Laure Bégout, Nina Bloecher, Erik Burgerhout, Josep Calduch-Giner, Mauro Chivite-Alcalde, Petr Císař, Evan Durland, Åsa M. Espmark, Lynne Falconer, Martin Føre, Dimitra G. Georgopoulou, Karsten Heia, Gaute A. N. Helberg, David Izquierdo Gomez, Lill-Heidi Johansen, Gunhild Seljehaug Johansson, Kristbjörg Edda Jónsdóttir, Jelena Kolarevic, Aleksei Krasnov, Santhosh K. Kumaran, Bjarne Kvæstad, Thomas Larsson, Carlo C. Lazado, Angelico Madaro, Federico Moroni, Ingrid Måge, Jonatan Nilsson, Samuel Ortega, Nikos Papandroulakis, Jaume Pérez-Sánchez, Pamela M. Prentice, Sonia Rey Planellas, Bjørn Roth, Adrian Smith, Lars Erik Solberg, Orestis Stavrakidis-Zachou, Lars Helge Stien, Anja Striberny, Ragnhild Aven Svalheim, Bjørn-Steinar Sæther, Gerrit Timmerhaus, Hilde Toften, Linda Tschirren, Hans van de Vis, Elisabeth Ytteborg, Lucas A. Zena, Tone-Kari Knutsdatter Østbye

Published in 2026

Scientific summary highlighting the need to improve and harmonize fish welfare indicators in aquaculture research, taking into account species and life stages, in order to ensure animal protection, scientific quality, reliable results and reproducibility. The authors propose updated toolboxes of welfare indicators for five major species, incorporating euthanasia, sampling, data digitization, and European regulatory requirements into their review.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

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Welfare and productivity in Muscovy ducks: Impact of swimming pond availability

Lukáš Zita, Ondřej Krunt, Jitka Edrová, Jakub Vorel, Eva Chmelíková, Antonella Dalle Zotte

Published in 2025

Scientific article showing that access to a pond significantly improves hygiene, health, and natural behaviors in Muscovy ducks, while also promoting growth and carcass quality that is at least equivalent, if not superior.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Behavioural adaptations of livestock to environmental stressors: implications for welfare and productivity

Oke OE, Eletu TA, Akosile OA, Fasasi LO, Adeniji OE, Ojedokun MZ, Oni AI

Published in 2025

Synthetic article analyzing behavioral adaptations associated with environmental stressors in livestock and emphasizing the importance of assessment tools and targeted management strategies for the improvement of animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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A functional framework for a comprehensive study of welfare in fishes

Alvarado Maria Victoria, Cerdá-Reverter Jose Miguel, Espigares Felipe

Published in 2025

Study proposing an integrative framework to assess fish welfare, combining physiological, behavioral and affective measurements that allow users to go beyond traditional approaches that focus  on biological disorders.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

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Blueprint for research to detect loss of consciousness and/or sensibility of fish at slaughter

Saraiva, J., Brijs, J., Cabrera-Álvarez, M. J., Arechavala-Lopez, P., & Gräns, A.

Published in 2024

Article highlighting the urgent need to develop more humane slaughter methods in aquaculture, as current practices (asphyxiation, refrigeration, gas) result in prolonged suffering for fish.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

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Animal welfare and meat quality: The impact of on-farm slaughter on Cinta senese pigs

Roxana Elena Amarie, Jacopo Goracci, Laura Casarosa, Sara Tinagli, Giorgio Briganti, Giampaolo Giunta, Matteo Senese, Giuliana Terracciano, Francesca Campeis, Alessio Del Tongo, Andrea Serra

Published in 2025

Study showing that on-farm slaughtering significantly reduces physiological stress in pigs and improves certain meat characteristics, without compromising microbiological safety. This method appears to be a sustainable and ethical alternative for use in free-range or small-scale farming.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Structuring and enriching the rearing environment in conventional broiler chicken production: effects on behavioral indicators, emotional states, and cecal microbiota composition

M. Guinebretière, M. Guyard-Nicodème, F. Mocz, L. Calandreau, A. Scheubel, J.P. Moysan, M. Chemaly, A. Keita, L. Warin

Published in 2025

Study showing that complex, enriched farming environments promote natural behaviors, curiosity and cognition in broilers, while reducing their emotional reactivity. These environments also improve the diversity of intestinal microbiota, confirming their potential to improve the on-farm welfare of chickens.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Emeline Nogues, Jane Stojkov, Biljana Jonoska Stojkova, Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk, Daniel M. Weary

Published in 2025

Systematic review and meta-analysis showing that multimodal analgesia temporarily reduces pain from bovine castration, notably via a reduction in blood cortisol levels. However, lack of data, the varied nature of the studies and the risk of methodological biais make it impossiible to establish clear science-based recommendations for good practice.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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