Abstract

This dataset contains raw data regarding hormonal hair quantification and behavioral assessment of pigs exposed to lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil (LEO) nebulization. LEO is a phytoextract traditionally used in aromatherapy for its calming and anxiolytic effects, potentially acting at both the psychological (effect of the odour) and physiological level (effects of the inhaled volatile compounds via the limbic system, particularly the amygdala and hippocampus). Although the exact cellular mechanism of action is still unknown, some studies found that LEO inhalation resulted in anxiolytic effects similar to benzodiazepines. A total of 108 pig were equally divided into 3 experimental groups: standard farming conditions (C=control), LAO nebulization for 10 minutes once a day (L1) or twice a day (L2). The trial lasted 127 days. For hormonal steroid quantification, a sub-sample of 24 pigs per group was randomly selected. Animals were shaved at the beginning of the trial, to set the zero, and then again at the end of the trial (day 127) to quantify cortisol and DHEA. As for behavioral assessment, 4 pens per experimental group were videotaped from 6:30AM to 6:30PM on days 7, 77 and 126 (beginning, middle and end of the trial).