Maternal behaviour in Border Leicester, Glen Vale (Border Leicester derived) and Merino sheep

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Alexander ◽  
D Stevens ◽  
LR Bradley ◽  
SA Barwick
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Care ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Selection Program ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Lamb Survival

Ewe and lamb behaviour in traditional Border Leicesters, Glen Vale Border Leicesters of the NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Glen Vale x Border Leicester crosses and medium-fine-wool Merinos, all running in paddocks of 3-4.5 ha, were compared in spring 1983 at Glen Innes, N.S.W. Twenty-eight aspects of behaviour with a known or reputed influence on lamb survival, especially of multiples, were examined in undisturbed and contrived situations. The Glen Vales and their crosses were superior to the Border Leicesters and Merinos in behaviour and lamb survival, particularly behaviour concerned with the ability of ewes to keep their lambs together. The study indicates that contrived twin-care tests could form the basis of a selection program to improve maternal care and survival of multiples.

The Ontogeny of Ultrasonic Vocalization in Microtus Montanus

Behaviour ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.J. De Ghett
Keyword(s):  
Short Duration ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Ultrasonic Vocalization ◽  
Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Postnatal Ontogeny ◽  
Microtus Montanus ◽  
Early Peak ◽  
The Mean

AbstractDevelopmental changes in parameters of ultrasound production were investigated in M. montanus young. The rate of ultrasonic vocalization reached a peak on Day 2 of postnatal ontogeny and declined to zero on Day 15. A similar developmental pattern has been found in several other rodent species. However, the comparatively early peak rate is indicative of a degree of ontogenic precociousness. Other developmental changes, both behavioural and morphological, tend to confirm that M. montanus young are relatively precocious. The duration of ultrasonic vocalizations did not show a significant change across early development. The mean duration for each vocalization sampled was 22.92 msec. The distribution of these vocalizations showed that a considerable number of vocalizations were of very short duration (<30 msec). The developmental changes in the percentage of young emitting ultrasounds began to decline following Day 8 and reached zero percent on Day 15. This decline in the percentage of young vocalizing corresponded to changes in maternal behaviour. Both the rate of ultrasonic vocalization and the percentage of young vocalizing were significantly correlated with the age of the young. Being correlated with age, these parameters of ultrasound production have the possibility of having great communicative value for the purposes of maternal care.

Investigation of the relationship between farrowing environment, sex steroid concentrations and maternal aggression in gilts

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 34-34
Author(s):  
K.A. McLean ◽  
A.B. Lawrence ◽  
J.C. Petherick ◽  
L. Deans ◽  
J. Chirnside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Sex Steroid ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Maternal Aggression ◽  
The Relationship

Maternal oestrogen and progesterone have been shown to be important in the initiation of maternal behaviour (e.g. Shipka and Ford, 1991). It has also been suggested by Csermely and Nicosia (1991) that there is an association between social rank and the performance of maternal behaviour. This study investigated the relationships between social behaviour during pregnancy, levels of sex steroids around parturition and the level of maternal care shown by gilts. Sows and gilts are generally housed in farrowing crates during parturition and lactation. This study also ascertained whether or not the farrowing environment affected sex steroid concentrations.

scholarly journals Corticotropin-releasing factor infusion in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of lactating mice alters maternal care and induces behavioural phenotypes in offspring

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Camile Creutzberg ◽  
Érika Kestering-Ferreira ◽  
Thiago Wendt Viola ◽  
Luis Eduardo Wearick-Silva ◽  
Rodrigo Orso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Stria Terminalis ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Maternal Brain ◽  
Nesting Material ◽  
Peripartum Period

AbstractThe peripartum period is accompanied by numerous physiological and behavioural adaptations organised by the maternal brain. These changes are essential for adequate expression of maternal behaviour, thereby ensuring proper development of the offspring. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a key role in a variety of behaviours accompanying stress, anxiety, and depression. There is also evidence that CRF contributes to maladaptations during the peripartum period. We investigated the effects of CRF in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of lactating mice during maternal care and analysed locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviour in the offspring. The BNST has been implicated in anxiety behaviour and regulation of the stress response. The effects of intra-BNST CRF administration were compared with those induced by the limited bedding (LB) procedure, a model that produces altered maternal behaviour. BALB/cJ dams were exposed to five infusions of CRF or saline into the BNST in the first weeks after birth while the LB dams were exposed to limited nesting material from postnatal days (P) 2–9. Maternal behaviour was recorded in intercalated days, from P1-9. Offspring anxiety-like behaviour was assessed during adulthood using the open-field, elevated plus-maze, and light/dark tests. Both intra-BNST CRF and LB exposure produced altered maternal care, represented by decreased arched-back nursing and increased frequency of exits from the nest. These changes in maternal care resulted in robust sex-based differences in the offspring’s behavioural responses during adulthood. Females raised by CRF-infused dams exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviour, whereas males presented a significant decrease in anxiety. On the other hand, both males and females raised by dams exposed to LB showed higher locomotor activity. Our study demonstrates that maternal care is impaired by intra-BNST CRF administrations, and these maladaptations are similar to exposure to adverse early environments. These procedures, however, produce distinct phenotypes in mice during young adulthood and suggest sex-based differences in the susceptibility to poor maternal care.

Association of steroid 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 628 and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) SNP939 genotypes with sheep reproductive performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 743
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Qiu ◽  
Xiong Xiao ◽  
Nan Li ◽  
Wenhui Ling ◽  
Mingyu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Multiple Gestation ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D2 ◽  
Potential Marker

In a previous study we investigated the association between two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes, namely steroid 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) SNP628 and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) SNP939, with two temperaments (calm and nervous) in Australian Merino sheep and concluded that the DRD2 SNP939 T/T genotype combined with the CYP17 SNP628 G/G genotype is associated with a calm temperament and could be used as a potential marker for calm sheep, whereas the DRD2 SNP939C allele combined with the CYP17 SNP628 A/A genotype is associated with a nervous temperament and could be used as a potential marker for nervous sheep. In sheep, the association between temperament and reproductive performance has been determined, but the association of these two SNP genotypes with sheep reproduction has not been investigated. Therefore, using Chinese Sinkiang Merino sheep, the present study investigated the association of the two CYP17 SNP628 and DRD2 SNP939 genotypes with sheep reproductive performance. Sheep with the DRD2 SNP939 T/T genotype combined with the CYP17 SNP628 G/G genotype had a higher ovulation rate, multiple gestation rate, better maternal behaviour and lower lamb mortality. Thus, the results of this study contribute to our knowledge of the association between genotypes and reproduction in sheep, which is beneficial for sheep genetics and breeding.

Lamb survival in relation to lambing and neonatal behaviour in medium wool Merino lines divergently selected for multiple rearing ability

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 801 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. W. P. Cloete ◽  
A. J. Scholtz
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Birth Rate ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Base Population ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Least Squares Adjustment ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Lamb Survival

Summary. Two lines of Merino sheep were divergently selected from the same base population since 1986 on maternal ranking values for multiple rearing ability. In the high (H) line, ewe and ram progeny were preferably descended from ewes that reared >1 lamb per joining. In the low (L) line, replacements were the progeny of ewes that reared <1 lamb per joining. Data on lamb mortality, lambing and neonatal behaviour as well as lamb production were obtained from these lines over 5 years (1993–97). Lamb survival was improved (P<0.01) in the H line, mainly as a result of the improved survival of multiples. It was evident that the survival of lambs was not compromised by selection for ewe multiple rearing ability, despite the fact that higher mortality levels are expected with an increase in multiple birth rate. No line difference was found for the time lapse from birth to first standing for >10 s, but H line lambs were quicker (P<0.01) to progress from standing to suckling than L line contemporaries (28 v. 38 min respectively). This line difference remained after adjustment for better co-operation of H line ewes with the first suckling attempts of their progeny. Ewes in the H line tended (P = 0.18) to remain longer on or near their birth sites than L line contemporaries (403 v. 362 min respectively). They also tended to be less (P = 0.07) likely to desert their lambs than L line ewes (12/424 = 0.028 v. 14/230 = 0.061 respectively). After least-squares adjustment for their heavier (P<0.01) litter weight, H line ewes experienced shorter (P<0.05) births than their L line contemporaries (46 v. 57 min respectively). Fewer (P<0.05) H line lambs died during or shortly after parturition (respective proportions of 22/890 = 0.025 and 25/441 = 0.057), while maiden H line ewes were less (P<0.05) likely to be assisted at lambing than L line contemporaries (4/107 = 0.037 v. 8/61 = 0.131 respectively). With regard to overall lamb production, it was found that the number of lambs weaned per ewe present at lambing in the H line was improved (P<0.05) in all years relative to that observed in the L line, the differences ranging from 25% in 1993 to 47% in 1997. Lamb weaning weight was correspondingly improved (P<0.05) in H line lambs, the differences ranging from 8% in 1994 to 22% in 1996. Fairly high levels of production could thus be attained with predominantly pasture-fed ewes selected for multiple rearing ability.

scholarly journals Reproductive Biology of the Booroola Merino Sheep

1984 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Bindon
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Physiological Characteristics ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Sheep Breeds ◽  
The World ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
Size At Birth

This paper reviews the genetic and physiological characteristics of the Booroola Merino, one of the four most prolific sheep breeds in the world, and which was acquired by CSIRO in 1958 from a commercial sheep property, 'Booroola', Cooma, N.S.W. The exceptional prolificacy of this genotypee. g. mean flock ovulation rate in 1982 of 4�2 (range 1-10) and mean litter size of 2� 5 (range 1-7)is largely attributable to a single gene (F) of uncertain origin which increases ovulation rate. Crosses of the Booroola with other Merinos produce progeny which have a 47-87% increase in ovulation rate, a 45-56% increase in litter size at birth, and a 1-33% reduction in lamb survival relative to control Merinos. This represents a 16-37% increase in the number of lambs weaned per ewe joined in favour of the Booroola crosses.

scholarly journals Experimental evidence for convergent evolution of maternal care heuristics in industrialized and small-scale populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 140518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Kushnick ◽  
Ben Hanowell ◽  
Jun-Hong Kim ◽  
Banrida Langstieh ◽  
Vittorio Magnano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Care ◽  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Vignette Experiment

Maternal care decision rules should evolve responsiveness to factors impinging on the fitness pay-offs of care. Because the caretaking environments common in industrialized and small-scale societies vary in predictable ways, we hypothesize that heuristics guiding maternal behaviour will also differ between these two types of populations. We used a factorial vignette experiment to elicit third-party judgements about likely caretaking decisions of a hypothetical mother and her child when various fitness-relevant factors (maternal age and access to resources, and offspring age, sex and quality) were varied systematically in seven populations—three industrialized and four small-scale. Despite considerable variation in responses, we found that three of five main effects, and the two severity effects, exhibited statistically significant industrialized/ small-scale population differences. All differences could be explained as adaptive solutions to industrialized versus small-scale caretaking environments. Further, we found gradients in the relationship between the population-specific estimates and national-level socio-economic indicators, further implicating important aspects of the variation in industrialized and small-scale caretaking environments in shaping heuristics. Although there is mounting evidence for a genetic component to human maternal behaviour, there is no current evidence for interpopulation variation in candidate genes. We nonetheless suggest that heuristics guiding maternal behaviour in diverse societies emerge via convergent evolution in response to similar selective pressures.

scholarly journals Canadian Arctic Contaminants and Their Effects on the Maternal Brain and Behaviour: A Scoping Review of the Animal Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Claire Fong-McMaster ◽  
Sandra Konji ◽  
Amanda Nitschke ◽  
Anne TM Konkle
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Maternal Brain

Background: Environmental toxicants such as methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides are potentially harmful pollutants present in contaminated food, soil, air, and water. Exposure to these ecologically relevant toxicants is prominent in Northern Canadian populations. Previous work focused on toxicant exposure during pregnancy as a threat to fetal neurodevelopment. However, little is known about the individual and combined effects of these toxicants on maternal health during pregnancy and post-partum. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to synthesize the current knowledge regarding individual and combined effects of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides on maternal behaviour and the maternal brain. Relevant studies were identified through the PubMed, Embase, and Toxline databases. Literature involving animal models and one human cohort were included in the review. Results: Research findings indicate that exposures to these environmental toxicants are associated with neurochemical changes in rodent models. Animal models provided the majority of information on toxicant-induced alterations in maternal care behaviours. Molecular and hormonal changes hypothesized to underlie these alterations were also addressed, although studies assessing toxicant co-exposure were limited. Conclusion: This review speaks to the limited knowledge regarding effects of these persistent organic pollutants on the maternal brain and related behavioural outcomes. Further research is required to better comprehend any such effects on maternal brain and behaviour, as maternal care is an important contributor to offspring neurodevelopment.

Gestation, maternal behaviour, growth and development in the subterranean caviomorph rodent Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia, Hystricognathi, Ctenomyidae)

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Camín
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Care ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
External Ear ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Phylogenetic Inertia

AbstractThe first information on the gestation period, maternal behaviour, neonatal development and growth of the subterranean caviomorph rodent Ctenomys mendocinus Philippi, 1869, is reported herein. My hypothesis was that, despite its belonging to a typically precocial suborder, the life history traits of C. mendocinus would favour its altricial condition. The off spring of C. mendocinus were categorized as altricial by using two different classification systems. This condition was also reflected in maternal care. Females built large nests (2000 cm3) where, after a long gestation period (95.9 days), they gave birth to litters of blind pups, half-naked, with external ear meatus open and good physical coordination. The mothers suckled the off spring in long bouts (19.9 min), retrieved their pups, and these showed no tactics to reduce the suckling bout. Overall, evidence was consistent with the hypothesis analyzed, although particularities found, e.g. some precocial traits, suggest the existence in C. mendocinus of a trade-off between the constraints and advantages related to its subterranean way of life and the phylogenetic inertia typical of caviomorphs.

Breed differences in the expression of maternal care at parturition persist throughout the lactation period in sheep

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 70-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
H E Pickup ◽  
C M Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Care ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Negative Behaviour

In the ewe maternal care begins at parturition with grooming of the neonate and cooperation with early sucking attempts (e.g. Shillito-Walser 1978). Subsequently maternal care is expressed through sucking interactions, a close ewe-lamb association and a tendency to seek absent lambs (e.g. Hinch et al 1987). The ewe increasingly controls sucking interactions using a ‘head-up’ posture to signal when the lamb may approach and suck (Lawrence 1984).Two breeds of sheep, Suffolk and Scottish Blackface, are known to differ in their initial maternal behaviour. Blackface ewes spend longer grooming their lambs, show more cooperation with sucking attempts and less negative behaviour such as aggression and rejection, when compared to Suffolk ewes (Dwyer & Lawrence 1998). The aim of this study was to examine whether these breed differences in the expression of maternal care persist throughout the lactation period.

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