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Factors affecting the lactation curve parameters of crossbred dairy ewes in a flock of the highlands of Mexico. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:373. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Fetherstone N, McHugh N, Boland TM, Creighton P, Galvin N, McGovern FM. The impact of genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab301. [PMID: 34673961 PMCID: PMC8653943 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ewe genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. The study consisted of three genetic merit groups (New Zealand [NZ], High Irish, and Low Irish) and ran from 2016 to 2019, inclusive. Each genetic merit group contained 30 purebred Suffolk and 30 purebred Texel ewes, which were selected based on their maternal genetic indexes in their country of origin, namely Ireland (€uro-star Replacement index) or New Zealand (New Zealand Maternal worth). Ewe body condition score (BCS), ewe body weight (BW), milk yield, milk composition, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency parameters were all analyzed using linear mixed models. Ewe BW was similar across all genetic merit groups at each time point (P > 0.05). In comparison to both High and Low Irish ewes, NZ ewes had a higher BCS at mating, mid-pregnancy, lambing, week 10 post-lambing (PL, P < 0.05). Ewe BW change was similar across genetic merit groups, except between mating and mid-pregnancy where ewe BW loss was greater for NZ ewes than Irish ewes (P < 0.05) and between weeks 6 PL and 10 PL, where NZ ewes gained BW and High and Low Irish ewes lost BW (P < 0.01). Ewe milk yield, milk fat, total solids, and gross energy content were superior for milk produced by NZ ewes at week 6 PL in comparison to milk produced by High Irish and Low Irish ewes (P < 0.01). NZ ewes produced a greater quantity of milk solids/kg of BW at week 6 PL compared with High Irish ewes (P < 0.01), whereas Low Irish ewes did not differ from either NZ or High Irish (P > 0.05). Low Irish ewes had a greater daily DMI than High Irish ewes in late lactation (week 10 PL, P < 0.05) and had a greater DMI/kg of ewe BW compared with the High Irish ewes at the same time point (P < 0.05). NZ ewes weaned a litter BW equivalent to 60.4% of their mating BW, which was more than the Low Irish ewes who weaned 57.1% of the ewe's BW at mating (P < 0.01), whereas the High Irish ewes did not differ from either the NZ or Low Irish ewes at 59.3% of the ewe's BW at mating (P > 0.05). This study presents a range of parameters across ewes of high and low genetic merit, demonstrating the ability to achieve gains through selection of animals of high genetic merit. Sheep producers should consider genetic indexes as a tool to assist in the decision-making process of selecting replacement ewes and/or breeding rams, once satisfied the animal is correct, and meeting the breeding objectives of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Fetherstone
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65 R718, Ireland
- School of Agricultural Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Noirin McHugh
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Tommy M Boland
- School of Agricultural Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Philip Creighton
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65 R718, Ireland
| | - Norann Galvin
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Fiona M McGovern
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65 R718, Ireland
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Expression of glucose and magnesium transport-associated genes in whole blood RNA of lactating ewes supplemented with magnesium. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Haslin E, Corner-Thomas RA, Kenyon PR, Peterson SW, Morris ST, Blair HT. Associations among Mammary Ultrasound Measurements, Milk Yield of Non-Dairy Ewe Lambs and the Growth of Their Single Lambs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072052. [PMID: 34359185 PMCID: PMC8300266 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Mammary internal structures were associated with milk yield in mature dairy ewes and lamb growth in ewe lambs. This experiment was designed to examine the association between mammary ultrasound measurements and milk yield in ewe lambs and the accuracy of using mammary ultrasound measurements to predict single lamb growth rates to weaning. Mammary internal structures were measured in 45 single-bearing ewe lambs at day 110 of pregnancy, week three (W3), five (W5), and seven (W7) of lactation and at weaning (L69). The ewe lambs were milked once at W3, W5 and W7 and the single lambs were weighed at birth, W3, W5, W7, and L69. The predictions of milk yield were moderate, and the predictions of lamb growth were high to moderate, indicating that mammary ultrasound was more accurate in predicting lamb growth than milk yield. Further investigations are required to identify better indicators of milk yield in ewe lambs. Abstract Mammary cistern size was positively correlated with milk yield of mature dairy ewes, but the association in ewe lambs is unknown. This experiment aimed to examine the associations between mammary ultrasound measurements and the milk yield of ewe lambs at one year of age and to determine the accuracy of using maternal mammary ultrasound to predict single lamb growth rates. Single-bearing ewe lambs (n = 45) were randomly selected and 30 were milked once at weeks three (W3), five (W5), and seven (W7) of lactation. Mammary ultrasound scans were performed at day 110 of pregnancy, W3, W5, W7, and weaning (L69). Single lambs (n = 30) were weighed at birth and at each mammary scanning event. Udder measurements explained 26.8%, 21.4%, and 38.4% of the variation in milk yield at W3, W5 and W7, respectively, and 63.5% and 36.4% of the variation in single lamb growth to W3 and to L69. This ultrasound technique was more accurate in predicting single lamb growth to W3 than milk yield and may enable the identification of pregnant ewe lambs whose progeny would have greater growth rates. More research is needed to identify accurate indicators of superior milk yield and determine whether ultrasound could be used to select ewe lambs.
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Beck MR, Garrett K, Olejar KJ, Maxwell TMR, Bunt CR, Greer AE, Gregorini P. Negative effects of energy supplementation at peak lactation of sheep can be offset by the addition of Lactobacillus-fermented plant extracts. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6154846. [PMID: 33674864 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Energy supplementation may reduce oxidative stress by correcting a negative energy balance, but in some contexts, it has been shown to increase oxidative stress, especially at peak lactation. The current experiment examined if a pelleted energy supplement with or without the addition of Lactobacillus-fermented seaweed or seaweed plus terrestrial plants extracts affected oxidative stress of ewes from late gestation through to weaning and ewe and lamb production from lambing to weaning. Treatments were either no supplement (CON-), a pelleted supplement only (CON+, 100 g/ewe per d), CON+ with seaweed extract only (SWO, 10 mL/ewe per day), or CON+ with seaweed plus an arrangement of terrestrial plant extract (SWP, 10 mL/ewe per d). Ewes (n = 160; mean initial BW = 72.3 ± 9.5 kg [mean ± SD]) were randomized to pastures (n = 4 pastures per treatment with 10 ewes each). After lambing, ewes with twins were reallocated to pastures (n = 3 pastures per treatment with 10 ewes each) according to lambing date. At 4 wk in milk, supplementation tended to reduce total antioxidant status (TAS; P = 0.10) and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity compared with nonsupplemented ewes (P = 0.04). The addition of seaweed and terrestrial plants extracts to the concentrate, that is, SWO and SWP, increased TAS and reduced GPx activity compared with CON+ (P < 0.01). Supplementation increased milk yield at weeks 4, 6, and 8 of lactation, and protein, lactose, and total milk solids yield at peak lactation (week 4; P < 0.05). The CON- ewes had greater somatic cell count than the supplemented ewes at weeks 4, 8, and 10 of lactation (P = 0.03). Our results suggest that energy supplementation, alone, increases oxidative stress of lactating ewes, which may relate to increased oxidative phosphorylation. Most importantly, these results indicate that in situations where energy supplementation is needed to increase animal performance, negative effects of energy supplementation around peak lactation can be offset by the addition of Lactobacillus-fermented plant extracts (SWO and SWP) to improve antioxidant status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Beck
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Konagh Garrett
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth J Olejar
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Thomas M R Maxwell
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Craig R Bunt
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Andrew E Greer
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Pablo Gregorini
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand
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Feeding Tall Fescue Seed Reduces Ewe Milk Production, Lamb Birth Weight and Pre-Weaning Growth Rate. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122291. [PMID: 33287449 PMCID: PMC7761808 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study was conducted to examine how ergovaline/ergovalinine ingestion during pregnancy in ewes with different DRD2 genotypes altered ewe and lamb performance. Feeding ergovaline/ergovalinine in last trimester reduced lamb birth weight; however, milk production was lower for all ewes fed ergovaline/ergovalinine. Lambs born to dams fed ergovaline/ergovalinine had slower growth rates and lower weaning weights. These results demonstrate that ingestion of ergot alkaloids during pregnancy can negatively influence lactation, growth of offspring and birth and weaning weights. Recommendations would include strategies to mitigate mycotoxin exposure in pregnant ewes to improve production. Abstract Endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) produces ergovaline and ergovalinine, which are mycotoxins that act as dopamine agonists to suppress prolactin and induce vasoconstriction. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial with DRD2 genotype (AA, AG, GG), fescue seed (endophyte-free, E− or endophyte-infected, E+), stage of gestation (MID, d (day) 35–85; LATE, d 86–parturition) and all interactions in the model. Pregnant Suffolk ewes (n = 60) were stratified by genotype and fed E+ or E− seed in a total mixed ration according to treatment assignment. Serum prolactin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ seed but did not differ by maternal DRD2 genotype or two-way interaction. Lamb birth weight was lower (p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ seed in last trimester. Pre-weaning growth rate, milk production and total weaning weight was reduced (p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ fescue seed during MID and LATE gestation. Ingestion of ergovaline/ergovalinine in last trimester reduces lamb birth weight; however, lamb growth rate, milk production and total weaning weight are reduced in all ewes fed E+ during mid and last trimester.
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Olagaray KE, Bradford BJ, Sordillo LM, Gandy JC, Mamedova LK, Swartz TH, Jackson TD, Persoon EK, Shugart CS, Youngs CR. Postpartum meloxicam administration alters plasma haptoglobin, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and oxylipid concentrations in postpartum ewes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2020; 11:68. [PMID: 32626575 PMCID: PMC7329520 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Postpartum inflammation is a natural and necessary response; however, a dysfunctional inflammatory response can be detrimental to animal productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam) on ewe postpartum inflammatory response, ewe plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid and oxylipid concentrations, and lamb growth. Results After lambing, 36 Hampshire and Hampshire × Suffolk ewes were sequentially assigned within type of birth to control (n = 17) or meloxicam orally administered on d 1 and 4 of lactation (MEL; 90 mg, n = 19). Milk and blood samples were collected on d 1 (prior to treatment) and d 4. Milk glucose-6-phosphate was not affected by MEL. Plasma haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations were less for MEL ewes; control ewes with greater d 1 Hp concentrations had elevated Hp on d 4, but this was not the case for MEL-treated ewes. Treatment with MEL increased plasma arachidonic acid concentration by more than 4-fold in ewes rearing singles but decreased concentrations of 9,10-dihydroxyoctadecenoic acid, prostaglandin F2α, 8-iso-prostaglandin E2, and 8,9-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Nine oxylipids in plasma had interactions of treatment with d 1 Hp concentration, all of which revealed positive associations between d 1 Hp and d 4 oxylipid concentrations for CON, but neutral or negative relationships for MEL. MEL decreased 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid:13-oxooctadecadienoic acid ratio and tended to increase 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid:9-oxooctadecadienoic acid ratio (both dependent on d 1 values), indicating progressive metabolism of linoleic acid-derived oxylipids occurred by enzymatic oxidation after MEL treatment. Meloxicam reduced oxylipids generated across oxygenation pathways, potentially due to an improved redox state. Conclusions Postpartum MEL treatment of ewes decreased plasma concentrations of Hp and several oxylipids, with the greatest impact in ewes with biomarkers reflecting a greater inflammatory state before treatment. Anti-inflammatory strategies may help resolve excessive postpartum inflammation in some dams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Olagaray
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 66506 USA
| | - Barry J Bradford
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 66506 USA
| | - Lorraine M Sordillo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 2265K Anthony Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1225 USA
| | - Jeffery C Gandy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 2265K Anthony Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1225 USA
| | - Laman K Mamedova
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 66506 USA
| | - Turner H Swartz
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 66506 USA
| | - Trey D Jackson
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA
| | - Emma K Persoon
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA
| | | | - Curtis R Youngs
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA
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Nwosu EU, James I, Olowofeso O, Williams T, Bemji MN. Effects of oxytocin administration on milk yield and milk composition of West African Dwarf does. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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9
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Short- and long-term effects of conventional and artificial rearing strategies on the health and performance of growing lambs. Animal 2019; 13:740-749. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118002100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Campbell B, Pullin A, Pairis-Garcia M, McCutcheon J, Lowe G, Campler M, Fluharty F. The effects of alternative weaning strategies on lamb health and performance. Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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Campion FP, McGovern FM, Lott S, Creighton P, Boland TM. Impact of concentrate supplementation during early lactation on the performance of grass fed, twin suckling ewes and their progeny. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Earle E, McHugh N, Boland TM, Creighton P. Effect of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on ewe and lamb performance in a grass-based lamb production system. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:154-164. [PMID: 28177380 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born per ewe per year) as dictated by sire breed type, stocking rate (SR; ewes per ha), and their interaction on ewe and lamb performance in a temperate grass-based lamb production system. The study was a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of 2 differing ewe PP and 3 SR which included 180 medium prolificacy potential (MP- Suffolk-sired crossbred ewes) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP- Belclare-sired crossbred ewes) allocated to 1 of 3 ( = 60 ewes) SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes per ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes per ha) or high (HSR: 14 ewes per ha). Each treatment was managed in a 5-paddock rotational grazing system for the duration of the study. Medium prolificacy ewes were consistently heavier ( < 0.001) compared to HP ewes, with HP ewes having a higher BCS at lambing and 6 wk post-lambing (PL; < 0.05). Low SR ewes had a higher BW ( < 0.05) and BCS ( < 0.05) at mating, 6 wk PL, and weaning relative to MSR and HSR ewes which did not differ from each other. Lambs born to MP ewes were heavier at birth and weaning ( < 0.001) and achieved a higher ADG from birth to weaning ( < 0.05). Ewe PP had no effect on lifetime ADG or d to slaughter (DTS) with HP lambs yielding a higher carcass weight ( < 0.001). Low SR and MSR lambs achieved higher ADG from birth to weaning ( < 0.001) and weaning weight ( < 0.001) relative to HSR lambs and did not differ from each other, while post-weaning and lifetime lamb ADG was highest at the LSR, intermediate at the MSR, and lowest at the HSR ( < 0.001). A ewe PP by SR interaction existed for DTS, with MP lambs at the LSR reaching slaughter weight earlier ( < 0.01) relative to HP lambs, while at the MSR and HSR, MP and HP lambs did not differ from each other. High PP ewes produced a higher average born ( < 0.001) and weaned litter size per ewe ( < 0.01), with live weight weaned per ha ( < 0.001) increasing as ewe PP and SR increased. Lambing difficulty, ewe mother ability and lamb viability did not differ by ewe PP or SR. In conclusion, the lack of interaction between ewe PP and SR on many key performance measures in this study demonstrates the potential to increase the live weight of lamb weaned per ha through the use of higher ewe PP and SR levels, with no effect of ewe PP on lifetime lamb performance even as SR increased, with reductions in lamb performance primarily occurring at the HSR.
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Wall E, Berry DP. Impact of birth and rearing type, as well as inaccuracy of recording, on pre-weaning lamb phenotypic and genetic merit for live weight. Transl Anim Sci 2017; 1:137-145. [PMID: 32704636 PMCID: PMC7250409 DOI: 10.2527/tas2017.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to quantify the impact of the systematic environmental effects of both birth and rearing type on pre-weaning lamb live weight, and to evaluate the repercussions of inaccurate recording of birth and rearing type on subsequent genetic evaluations. A total of 32,548 birth weight records, 35,770 forty-day weight records and 32,548 records for average daily gain (ADG) between birth and 40-day weight from the Irish national sheep database were used. For each lamb, a new variable, birth-rearing type, reflecting both the birth and rearing type of a lamb was generated by concatenating both parameters. The association between birth-rearing type and birth weight, 40-day weight, and ADG was estimated using linear mixed models. The repercussions of inaccurate recording of birth type were determined by quantifying the impact on sire estimated breeding value (EBV; with an accuracy of ≥ 35%), where one of the lambs born in a selection of twin litter births was assumed to have died at birth but the farmer recorded the birth and rearing type as a singleton. The heaviest mean birth weight was associated with lambs born and subsequently reared as singles (5.47 kg); the lightest mean birth weight was associated with lambs born and reared as triplets (4.10 kg). The association between birth-rearing type and 40-day weight differed by dam parity (P < 0.001). Lambs reared by first parity dams as singles, irrespective of birth type were, on average, heavier at 40-day weighing than lambs reared as multiples, but as parity number increased, single-born lambs reared as twins outperformed triplet-born lambs reared as singles. Irrespective of the trait evaluated, the correlation between sire EBV estimated from the accurately recorded data and sire EBV estimated from the data with recording errors was strong ranging from 0.93 (birth weight) to 0.97 (ADG). The EBV for sires with progeny data manipulated were 0.14 kg, 0.34 kg and 5.56 g/d less for birth weight, 40-day weight and ADG, respectively, compared to their equivalent EBV calculated using accurately recorded data. Results from this study highlight the importance of precise recording of birth-rearing type by producers for the generation of accurate genetic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - E Wall
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Washburn SE, Caudill MA, Malysheva O, MacFarlane AJ, Behan NA, Harnett B, MacMillan L, Pongnopparat T, Brosnan JT, Brosnan ME. Formate metabolism in fetal and neonatal sheep. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015; 308:E921-7. [PMID: 25805190 PMCID: PMC4436996 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00046.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
By virtue of its role in nucleotide synthesis, as well as the provision of methyl groups for vital methylation reactions, one-carbon metabolism plays a crucial role in growth and development. Formate, a critical albeit neglected component of one-carbon metabolism, occurs extracellularly and may provide insights into cellular events. We examined formate metabolism in chronically cannulated fetal sheep (gestation days 119-121, equivalent to mid-third trimester in humans) and in their mothers as well as in normal full-term lambs. Plasma formate levels were much higher in fetal lamb plasma and in amniotic fluid (191 ± 62 and 296 ± 154 μM, respectively) than in maternal plasma (33 ± 13 μM). Measurements of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine showed that these high formate levels could not be due to vitamin deficiencies. Elevated formate levels were also found in newborn lambs and persisted to about 8 wk of age. Formate was also found in sheep milk. Potential precursors of one-carbon groups were also measured in fetal and maternal plasma and in amniotic fluid. There were very high concentrations of serine in the fetus (∼1.6 mM in plasma and 3.5 mM in the amniotic fluid) compared with maternal plasma (0.19 mM), suggesting increased production of formate; however, we cannot rule out decreased formate utilization. Dimethylglycine, a choline metabolite, was also 30 times higher in the fetus than in the mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Washburn
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Olga Malysheva
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | | | - Nathalie A Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Brian Harnett
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Luke MacMillan
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Theerawat Pongnopparat
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - John T Brosnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Margaret E Brosnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Rojo-Rubio R, Kholif A, Salem A, Mendoza G, Elghandour M, Vazquez-Armijo JF, Lee-Rangel H. Lactation curves and body weight changes of Alpine, Saanen and Anglo-Nubian goats as well as pre-weaning growth of their kids. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1031790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Nezamidoust M, Kominakis A, Safari A. Use of Wood's model to analyze the effects of milking methods on lactation curve in sheep. Small Rumin Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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17
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Milk yield estimation during suckling using the double oxytocin injection-milking and the double weighing–suckling methods in dairy goats. Small Rumin Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Joy M, Sanz A, Ripoll G, Panea B, Ripoll-Bosch R, Blasco I, Alvarez-Rodriguez J. Does forage type (grazing vs. hay) fed to ewes before and after lambing affect suckling lambs performance, meat quality and consumer purchase intention? Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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David I, Bouvier F, François D, Poivey JP, Tiphine L. Heterogeneity of variance components for preweaning growth in Romane sheep due to the number of lambs reared. Genet Sel Evol 2011; 43:32. [PMID: 21896209 PMCID: PMC3184042 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9686-43-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pre-weaning growth rate of lambs, an important component of meat market production, is affected by maternal and direct genetic effects. The French genetic evaluation model takes into account the number of lambs suckled by applying a multiplicative factor (1 for a lamb reared as a single, 0.7 for twin-reared lambs) to the maternal genetic effect, in addition to including the birth*rearing type combination as a fixed effect, which acts on the mean. However, little evidence has been provided to justify the use of this multiplicative model. The two main objectives of the present study were to determine, by comparing models of analysis, 1) whether pre-weaning growth is the same trait in single- and twin-reared lambs and 2) whether the multiplicative coefficient represents a good approach for taking this possible difference into account. Methods Data on the pre-weaning growth rate, defined as the average daily gain from birth to 45 days of age on 29,612 Romane lambs born between 1987 and 2009 at the experimental farm of La Sapinière (INRA-France) were used to compare eight models that account for the number of lambs per dam reared in various ways. Models were compared using the Akaike information criteria. Results The model that best fitted the data assumed that 1) direct (maternal) effects correspond to the same trait regardless of the number of lambs reared, 2) the permanent environmental effects and variances associated with the dam depend on the number of lambs reared and 3) the residual variance depends on the number of lambs reared. Even though this model fitted the data better than a model that included a multiplicative coefficient, little difference was found between EBV from the different models (the correlation between EBV varied from 0.979 to 0.999). Conclusions Based on experimental data, the current genetic evaluation model can be improved to better take into account the number of lambs reared. Thus, it would be of interest to evaluate this model on field data and update the genetic evaluation model based on the results obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid David
- INRA UR 631, Station d'Amélioration Génétique des Animaux, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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Meyer AM, Reed JJ, Neville TL, Thorson JF, Maddock-Carlin KR, Taylor JB, Reynolds LP, Redmer DA, Luther JS, Hammer CJ, Vonnahme KA, Caton JS. Nutritional plane and selenium supply during gestation affect yield and nutrient composition of colostrum and milk in primiparous ewes1. J Anim Sci 2011; 89:1627-39. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-3394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Moors E, Gauly M. Influence of a Moxidectin treatment in ewes of two German sheep breeds on the growth rate of their lambs. Small Rumin Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Afolayan RA, Fogarty NM, Morgan JE, Gaunt GM, Cummins LJ, Gilmour AR, Nielsen S. Genetic analysis of milk production and composition in crossbred ewes from different maternal genotypes. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2009. [DOI: 10.1071/ea08157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Milk production and milk composition were measured in 1056 crossbred ewes managed under pasture grazing in a lamb production system. Most ewes were milked on three occasions at ~3, 4 and 12 weeks of lactation. The ewes were the progeny of mainly Merino dams and 91 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, East Friesian, Finnsheep and Coopworth. The ewes were born over 3 years and run at three sites where they were joined naturally to meat rams. Most of the ewes were first parity (autumn-joined at 7 months of age and spring-joined at 14–17 months of age), with the remainder second or third parity. The cohorts of ewes and sites were linked genetically by three common maternal sires. The 4-h oxytocin-induced milking procedure was used to estimate daily milk production and milk samples were analysed for composition (fat%, protein% and lactose%). Daily milk yield and milk composition traits were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood mixed models procedures. The sire breed of crossbred ewes was significant for milk yield (P < 0.01), fat% (P < 0.01) and lactose% (P < 0.05). There was a significant (P < 0.01) interaction of sire breed × days of lactation, mainly due to the relatively higher milk yield of the East Friesian and White Suffolk cross ewes compared with the other crosses, at the end of the lactation. The East Friesian cross ewes had lower milk fat% than the other cross ewes. Ewes suckling multiple lambs had 29% higher peak milk yield than those bearing and suckling single lambs (P < 0.001). There was an increase in peak milk yield of the ewes from first to second parity, and third parity ewes had a greater decline to the end of lactation causing a significant interaction (P < 0.001). The overall decline in milk yield from peak to late lactation was –21.2 ± 0.7 g/day. Separate analysis showed a significant increase in milk yield with ewe pre-joining weight (regression 6.1 ± 1.8 g/day.kg). The estimate of heritability for daily milk yield was 0.24 ± 0.04 at 90 days of lactation and 0.10 ± 0.02 at 21 days of lactation. The estimates of heritability for the milk composition traits were generally moderate. Estimates of genetic correlations between measurements early and late in the lactation for milk yield and most composition traits were high. The within ewe by stage variance component estimates of repeatability were moderate to high for milk yield, fat% and protein%, with lactose% being low.
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Ewe metabolic performance and lamb carcass traits in pasture and concentrate-based production systems in Churra Tensina breed. Small Rumin Res 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2007.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Casellas J, Caja G, Such X, Piedrafita J. Survival analysis from birth to slaughter of Ripollesa lambs under semi-intensive management1. J Anim Sci 2007; 85:512-7. [PMID: 17235034 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2006-435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The survivability from birth to slaughter of 1,487 Ripollesa lambs with a preslaughter overall mortality of 9.6% was studied under the proportional hazards framework, assuming a Weibull distribution for the baseline hazards function. A sire frailty model was fitted, with the common environment received by the lamb as an additional random source of variation. Common environment was considered time-dependent and was characterized by the dam and the contemporary lamb group during the preweaning and fattening periods, respectively. Only 3 fixed effects were statistically significant: the linear and quadratic effects of birth weight (P < 0.001), the relative position of the delivery within the lambing season (P < 0.001), and the presence of stillbirths or mummified fetuses within the litter (P < 0.05). Birth type and parity of the ewe were significant only when birth weight was removed from the model (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Nevertheless, the model including birth weight became preferable according to the Akaike's information criterion. Survivability dramatically decreased with extreme birth weights, although it reached a survival probability greater than 93.5% within the 3.3 to 5.4 kg range, indicating an optimum birth weight range of Ripollesa lambs for survival purposes. The hazard ratio (HR) increased for births occurring within the last third of the lambing period (HR = 1.70; P < 0.05), as well as for primiparous ewes that lambed in December and January (HR = 5.36; P < 0.001). Survival probability decreased for lambs born from litters with 1 or more stillbirths or mummified fetuses (HR = 1.61; P < 0.05). The variance component estimated for sire variance (0.07) was clearly lower than that of the common environment (1.87), with a heritability estimate of 0.027.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Casellas
- Grup de Recerca en Remugants, Departament de Ciéncia Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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Morgan JE, Fogarty NM, Nielsen S, Gilmour AR. Milk yield and milk composition from grazing primiparous non-dairy crossbred ewes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1071/ar05180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Milk production and milk composition were studied in 520 primiparous Merino crossbred ewes that were the progeny of 30 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, Coopworth, Finnsheep and East Friesian. The ewes were born in 3 years (1997, 1998, and 1999), with 3 sires used in every year to provide genetic links. The crossbred ewe lambs were randomly assigned to autumn or spring joining groups and mated to Poll Dorset rams to lamb at 12 or 19 months of age. Ewes were milked on 3 days during their first lactation at approximately 3, 4, and 12 weeks after lambing. On each milking day, each ewe was initially injected with oxytocin, milked out by machine, and then hand-stripped. This procedure was repeated approximately 4 h later, with the milk weight and time recorded to extrapolate to daily milk yield, and composition of the milk was determined. Daily milk yield was analysed using REML mixed models procedures and 3 measures of milk production were predicted: peak milk yield at 21 days of lactation, total milk yield from 21 to 90 days of lactation, and length of lactation (days for daily yield to decline to 600 g/day). Milk composition traits (%fat, %protein, %lactose) and proportion of machine milk yield were analysed with similar models. Sire breed, number of lambs born and suckled, season, and ewe weight gain from mid-pregnancy until lamb weaning were all significant (P < 0.01) for daily yield, which declined from 2.1 kg/day at 21 days to 0.7 kg/day at 90 days of lactation. The Finnsheep-cross ewes had lower peak milk yield (1.84 ± 0.08 v. 2.09–2.19 ± 0.1 kg/day) and lower total yield of lactation (21–90 days) than all the other breed-cross ewes (78 ± 3 v. 92–107 ± 5 kg). The East Friesian-cross ewes had significantly longer lactations (128.8 ± 10.9 days) than the Border Leicester (98.1 ± 4.4 days) and Coopworth (93.7 ± 4.2 days), with the Finnsheep-cross ewes the shortest (80.1 ± 3.1 days). The East Friesian-cross ewes had the greatest and the Finnsheep-cross ewes the least total yield of lactation (107 ± 5 and 78 ± 3 kg, respectively). There were significant differences in peak milk yield for ewes bearing and suckling single lambs, twin-born and single-raised lambs, and twin-born and raised lambs (1.86 ± 0.04, 2.03 ± 0.09, and 2.37 ± 0.07 kg/day, respectively). There was a significant decline in daily milk yield with increasing ewe weight gain from mid-pregnancy to lamb weaning (–18.1 ± 4.2 g/kg). All the components of milk composition changed from the peak of milk production at 3 weeks to the end of lactation. The East Friesian-cross ewes had significantly lower milk %fat (by approx. 1 percentage point) at both 21 days and 90 days of lactation than ewes by all other sire breeds. The 30 sire progeny mean deviations for daily milk yield ranged from –292 to +276 g/day, with considerable ranges between sires within the sire breeds. The implications for lamb production and breeding programs are discussed.
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Ross MG, Desai M, Guerra C, Wang S. Programmed syndrome of hypernatremic hypertension in ovine twin lambs. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005; 192:1196-204. [PMID: 15846202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2005.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An increased risk of adult hypertension, obesity, and coronary heart disease occurs in low birth weight or intrauterine growth-restricted newborn infants as a result of fetal programming. Human twins represent a natural model of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction because they are significantly smaller at birth than singleton infants because of both earlier delivery and reduced intrauterine growth. Increased blood pressure has been reported in several epidemiologic studies of human twin offspring, although this has not been confirmed in an animal model. Because the sheep pregnancy consists of singleton and twin litters, we sought to determine the impact of ovine twin gestation and twin nursing on the cardiovascular and renal function of the offspring. STUDY DESIGN Newborn lambs (n = 12) were studied at 21 +/- 2 day of life. Both singleton (n = 6) and twin lambs (n = 6) were born to ewes provided ad libitum water and food throughout gestation. After the delivery, ewes were provided ad libitum water and food, and newborn lambs were allowed ad libitum nursing with the maternal ewe. At 15 +/- 2 days of age, the lambs were prepared with vascular and renal catheters and studied at 21 +/- 2 days. After a 2-hour basal period, lambs received an intravenous infusion of hypotonic (0.075 mol/L) NaCl (0.15 ml/kg/hr) for an additional 2 hours. Newborn arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and urine flow were monitored continuously, and arterial blood samples were obtained before, during, and after the infusion. RESULTS At birth, twin lambs weighed 30% less than singleton lambs (3.5 +/- 0.1 kg vs 5.0 +/- 0.2 kg; P < .05), although 50% less at 21 days (5.2 +/- 0.6 vs 10.8 +/- 1.2 kg). There were marked differences in basal arterial blood values between twin and singleton lambs at 21 days, with twins having significantly increased plasma sodium and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures and reduced glomerular filtration rates, urine osmolality, osmolar excretion, and osmolar clearance (per kg body weight) compared with singleton lambs. In response to hypotonic saline solution infusion, the plasma composition and blood pressure differences between twin and singleton lambs persisted. CONCLUSION These results indicate that ovine twin gestation and nursing markedly reduced body weight at 21 days of age, with evidence of plasma hypernatremia, hypertension, and reduced glomerular filtration rates, which persisted throughout hypotonic saline solution infusion. Consistent with epidemiologic studies of humans, these results demonstrate that gestational/newborn nutrient stress may program hypertension in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Ross
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Box 3, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90509-2910, USA.
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