Frontiers in sheep reproduction - making use of natural responses to environmental challenges to manage productivity

Martin, Graeme B.

doi:10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0088

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 58 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Subtropical sheep breeds have different photoperiodic sensitivity. Feed availability throughout the year may also play a role in the year-round continuation of ovarian activity (Menassol et al 2012;Senosy et al 2017;Martin 2022). This further research could uncover how photoperiodic sensitivity and feed availability interact to influence ovarian activity in sheep breeds in subtropical areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Optimal Breeding Seasons for Awassi Ewes in Saudi Arabia’s Central Region

2023

Int J Vet Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study aimed to investigate the most suitable breeding seasons for Awassi ewes in the central region of Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, two experiments were conducted. The first experiment measured and counted luteal and follicular structures in the different breeding seasons of the year. The second experiment focused on collecting reproduction data such as lambing, twining, and lamb mortality rates. The data obtained was then analyzed. The results revealed that the number of corpora lutea was greater in autumn and summer than in winter and spring (P<0.05). Ewes had more small, medium, and large follicles in summer than in other seasons (P<0.05). Lambing rates were significantly higher in summer and autumn-mated ewes than in winter and spring-mated ewes (P<0.05). Twining rates in autumn-mated ewes were greater than in other seasons (P<0.05). Lambing rates were higher on farms that used one breeding season per year than on farms that used two breeding seasons per year (P<0.05). Lamb mortality rates did not differ between seasons. In conclusion, summer and autumn provide the optimal environmental conditions for successful mating for Awassi ewes in the Saudi Arabian central region. With this knowledge, farmers in the region can plan and ensure maximum productivity.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Optimal Breeding Seasons for Awassi Ewes in Saudi Arabia’s Central Region

2023

Int J Vet Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Rather than offer an impossible list, I will confine my suggestions to research in reproduction: (i) Olfactory memory in the context of both the male effect and mother-young bonding; (ii) DoHaD and epigenetics, perhaps the ‘hottest’ current topic in reproductive biology; (iii) Embryo mortality, traditionally a very difficult research topic but now vulnerable to new tools for quantifying and investigating the problem; (iv) Postnatal survival, often dismissed as a problem confined to multiple births, but multiple births will be essential in future production systems, so it is time to take on the challenge ( 49 ). Importantly, the 100% CGE model ( 16 ) is not going to be applicable to all industries in all geographical or socio-economic environments, but individual aspects of the model can be introduced in a planned process ( 50 , 51 ) that needs to be supported by local applied research.…”

Section: Opportunities For Research In Cge Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, 20 years of discoveries in reproductive biology were accommodated in an update ( 16 ). In brief: the foundation of CGE management is understanding how the reproductive system responds to environmental factors, so those factors can be manipulated to improve reproductive outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For postnatal life, it has become clear that puberty can be advanced by accelerating the accumulation of muscle as well as fat, a major advantage for meat production systems. With respect to pheromones (‘male effect’), we now better understand the brain responses (the kisspeptin system again) but, most importantly, we have learned that the response of ewes to the ram signal involves cell division in memory centers, and thus ‘olfactory memory’ [review: ( 16 )].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Perspective: science and the future of livestock industries

Martin

2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Since the 1990s, livestock industries have been forced to respond to major pressures from society, particularly with respect to methane emissions and animal welfare. These challenges are exacerbated by the inevitability of global heating and the effects it will have on livestock productivity. The same challenges also led to questions about the value of animal-sourced foods for feeding the world. The industries and the research communities supporting them are meeting those challenges. For example, we can now envisage solutions to the ruminant methane problem and those solutions will also improve the efficiency of meat and milk production. Animal welfare is a complex mix of health, nutrition and management. With respect to health, the ‘One Health’ concept is offering better perspectives, and major diseases, such as helminth infection, compounded by resistance against medication, are being resolved through genetic selection. With respect to nutrition and stress, ‘fetal programming’ and the epigenetic mechanisms involved offer novel possibilities for improving productivity. Stress needs to be minimized, including stress caused by extreme weather events, and solutions are emerging through technology that reveals when animals are stressed, and through an understanding of the genes that control susceptibility to stress. Indeed, discoveries in the molecular biology of physiological processes will greatly accelerate genetic progress by contributing to genomic solutions. Overall, the global context is clear – animal-sourced food is an important contributor to the future of humanity, but the responses of livestock industries must involve local actions that are relevant to geographical and socio-economic constraints.

show abstract