Effects of Rumen Fermentation Characteristics on Stress-Related Hormones and Behavior in Sheep

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between rumen fermentation, stress-related hormones, and behavior in sheep with the aim of providing insights for improving animal welfare and feed management practices. Eight lambs were assigned to either a high concentration or control group. Blood samples were collected for hormone analysis, and an open field test was conducted to observe behavioral stress responses. The results showed that diet composition may affect the behavior of ruminants in response to stressors and novel situations, as evidenced by the higher number of escape attempts in the high-concentration group. In addition, analyses of individual volatile fatty acids (VFAs) showed a significant positive correlation between the acetic acid/propionic acid ratio and sniffing behavior of the novel object (p < 0.05, ρ = −0.414). These findings have important implications for animal welfare and feed management practices. Overall, this study provides insights into the potential impact of diet composition on the behavior of ruminants in response to stressors and novel situations, highlighting the importance of improving animal welfare through feed management practices. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the complex relationship between rumen fermentation, stress-related hormones, and behavior in ruminant animals.

Rumen Development of Tianhua Mutton Sheep Was Better than That of Gansu Alpine Fine Wool Sheep under Grazing Conditions

“…It has been reported that excessive intake of roughage with a high fiber content will increase the acetic acid content in the rumen [30,31]. A large amount of acetic acid produced by rumen fermentation in sheep is oxidized through the tricarboxylic acid cycle for energy supply or used for fatty acid synthesis to maintain energy intake in winter [32,33]. Acetic acid and propionic acid are the main sources of energy for the rumen papillae, and they produce ATP through oxidation for use by the rumen papillae and other cells.…”