Psychobiological consequences of two different weaning methods in sheep

Orgeur, P.; Bernard, Serge; Naciri, Murielle; Nowak, Raymond; Schaal, Benoı̂st; Lévy, Frédéric

doi:10.1051/rnd:19990208

Cited by 48 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…There is considerable interest in the welfare of livestock animals during mother-young separation (Orgeur et al 1999), and measures of laterality may provide a useful biomarker of underlying emotional processes during weaning and similar events. In sheep, the ewe-lamb bond is very strong, especially up to 90-100 days after parturition (Galeana et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laterality as an indicator of emotional stress in ewes and lambs during a separation test

et al. 2015

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We assessed motor laterality in sheep to explore species-specific brain hemi-field dominance and how this could be affected by genetic or developmental factors. Further, we investigated whether directionality and strength of laterality could be linked to emotional stress in ewes and their lambs during partial separation. Forty-three ewes and their singleton lambs were scored on the (left/right) direction of turn in a y-maze to rejoin a conspecific (laterality test). Further, their behavioural response (i.e. time spent near the fence, vocalisations, and activity level) during forced separation by an open-mesh fence was assessed (separation test). Individual laterality was recorded for 44.2% ewes (significant right bias) and 81.4% lambs (equally biased to the left and the right). There was no significant association in side bias between dams and offspring. The Chi-squared test revealed a significant population bias for both groups (p < 0.05). Evolutionary adaptive strategies or stimuli-related visual laterality may provide explanation for this decision-making process. Absolute strength of laterality (irrespective of side) was high (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, dams: D = 0.2; p < 0.001; lambs: D = 0.36, p < 0.0001). The Wilcoxon test showed that lateralised lambs and dams spent significantly more time near each other during separation than non-lateralised animals (p < 0.05), and that lateralised dams were also more active than non-lateralised ones. Arguably, the lateralised animals showed a greater attraction to their pair because they were more disturbed and thus required greater reassurance. The data show that measures of laterality offer a potential novel non-invasive indicator of separation stress.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laterality as an indicator of emotional stress in ewes and lambs during a separation test

et al. 2015

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“…In neonatal piglets, the repeated separation from mothers increases basal adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol concentration [6] In sheep under natural conditions, the rupture of the social connection may have long-term consequences, therefore, the weaning imposed by breeders may result in psychobiological disturbances. Separation of lambs from mothers causes behavioral alterations, some hormonal and immune changes and reduced growth [7,8]. Our recent data have shown that a disruption of preweanling lambs-mother social contact enhanced the release of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) from the median eminence (ME) and attenuates processing and release of ACTH [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of maternal deprivation on the somatotrophic axis and neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and pituitary in female lambs. The histomorphometric study.

Polkowska

Wańkowska²

2010

Folia Histochem Cytobiol.

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Abstract:The effects of maternal deprivation on the somatotrophic axis and neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal system in the hypothalamus of female lambs were evaluated. Twelve-week-old lambs were divided into two groups: the control (lambs stayed with mothers) and maternally deprived (MD; lambs separated for 3 days from mothers). The expression of immunoreactive (ir) somatostatin in the neurons of the periventricular nucleus (PEV) and in nerve terminals of the median eminence (ME), growth hormone (GH) in the adenohypophyseal cells and NPY in the neurons of the PEV and arcuate (ARC) nuclei of the hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry followed by the image analysis were estimated. Concentrations of GH in the blood plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression of ir somatostatin in the PEV and ME, ir NPY in the ARC and PEV, ir GH in adenohypophyseal cells, and blood plasma GH concentrations were greater (p<0.05) in MD than in the control lambs. In conclusion, MD affects the somatotrophic axis by enhancement of GH secretion via restraining of somatostatin output. The simultaneous increase of expression of hypothalamic ir NPY suggests NPY involvement in the regulation of psychoemotional stress through the somatotrophic axis in the female lambs.

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“…Therefore, the lower serum globulin concentration in untreated ewes may reflect a state of immunodeficiency (Allison, 2012), considering that their values reflect hypoglobulinaemia (Hearly and Falk, 1974). Although in recently weaned lambs the susceptibility to gastrointestinal parasites increases (Orgeur et al, 1999), it is possible that P4 treatment may reduce the susceptibility to disease in ewes after weaning. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first complete characterization of the behavioural response of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progesterone administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs

Freitas‐de‐Melo

Banchero

Hötzel

et al. 2013

Animal

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Abrupt weaning, a usual management in sheep productive systems, may provoke behavioural and physiological responses indicative of stress in ewes and lambs. Progesterone (P4) has anxiolytic and sedative effects through the union of its metabolites that contain 3a-hydroxyl group to the g-aminobutyricacid A receptor. Our first aim was to determine whether P4 administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs. A complementary aim was to determine whether P4 treatment affects the milk yield and composition of ewes, and the BW of their lambs. In experiment 1, seven ewes received P4 treatment for 32 days (group E1-P4), and eight ewes remained as an untreated control group (group E1-C). BW of the lambs was recorded during P4 treatment. Lambs were weaned at 59 days (Day 0 5 weaning). The main behaviours of the ewes before and after weaning were recorded using 10 min scan sampling. The ewes' serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were measured before and after weaning of the lambs. In experiment 2, milk yield and composition were determined in two different groups of six ewes treated with P4 (group E2-P4) for 16 days and in five untreated controls (group E2-C). The BW of lambs increased with time ( P 5 0.001) in both groups and did not differ. The percentage of observations in which the ewes were seen pacing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group ( P 5 0.0007). Similarly, the percentage of observations in which the ewes were recorded vocalizing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group ( P 5 0.04). The percentage of observations in which E1-C ewes were recorded lying did not change from Days 0 to 1; however, it increased in E1-P4 ewes. Total serum protein concentration did not change in E1-P4 ewes from Days 0 to 3, although a decrease was seen in E1-C ewes ( P 5 0.04). Serum globulin concentration was greater in E1-P4 ewes on Day 3 than in E1-C ewes (P 5 0.0008). In experiment 2, there were no differences between E2-P4 and E2-C ewes in terms of milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content. Progesterone administration reduced the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs, and this effect was not mediated by changes in milk yield and composition, or by lambs' BW.

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Psychobiological consequences of two different weaning methods in sheep

Cited by 48 publications

References 18 publications

Laterality as an indicator of emotional stress in ewes and lambs during a separation test

Laterality as an indicator of emotional stress in ewes and lambs during a separation test

Effects of maternal deprivation on the somatotrophic axis and neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and pituitary in female lambs. The histomorphometric study.

Progesterone administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs

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