Effect of Multiple Stresses (Thermal, Nutritional, and Walking Stress) on the Reproductive Performance of Malpura Ewes

A study was conducted to assess the effect of multiple stresses (thermal, nutritional, and walking stress) on the reproductive performance of Malpura ewes. The study was conducted for a period of 35 days covering two estrous cycles during summer season (April-May). The ewes were randomly allocated into two groups of twelve animals each namely, GI (n=12; Control), and GII (n=1 2; Multiple stresses). GI ewes were maintained in the shed, while GII ewes were subjected to multiple stresses (thermal, nutritional, and walking stress). The estrus % differed significantly (P< 0.05) between the groups. Estrus duration also showed similar trend to that of estrus %. Both conception and lambing rate also differed significantly (P< 0.05) between the control and multiple-stress group. In addition plasma estradiol and progesterone also showed significant difference between the groups. The study proved the detrimental effects of multiple-stresses on various reproductive parameters studied. Hence it is very pertinent to conclude that when two or more than two stressors occur simultaneously, the total impact may be severe on reproductive functions of the animals

Impact of heat stress on ruminant livestock production and meat quality, and strategies for amelioration

Climate change will continue to accentuate the negative impact of heat stress (HS) on ruminant livestock production, compromising animal welfare and meat quality. Mitigation strategies, including providing shade on farms, modifications of animal housing (heat extractors, fans, water sprinklers, and cool drinking water), and nutritional interventions, are important short-Term measures to reduce the negative effects of HS. Climate-smart breeding for thermotolerance and matching of adapted ruminant breeds to appropriate production systems should be considered for more sustainable livestock production systems

Comparative expression profiling and sequence characterization of ATP1A1 gene associated with heat tolerance in tropically adapted cattle

Climate change is an imminent threat to livestock production. One adaptation strategy is selection for heat tolerance. While it is established that the ATP1A1 gene and its product play an important role in the response to many stressors, there has been no attempt to characterize the sequence or to perform expression profiling of the gene in production animals. We undertook a field experiment to compare the expression profiles of ATP1A1 in heat-tolerant Vechur and Kasaragod cattle (Bos taurus indicus) with the profile of a heat-susceptible crossbreed (B. t. taurus × B. t. indicus). The cattle were exposed to heat stress while on pasture in the hot summer season. The environmental stress was quantified using the temperature humidity index (THI), while the heat tolerance of each breed was assessed using a heat tolerance coefficient (HTC). The ATP1A1 mRNA of Vechur cattle was amplified from cDNA and sequenced. The HTC varied significantly between the breeds and with time-of-day (p < 0.01). The breed–time-of-day interaction was also significant (p < 0.01). The relative expression of ATP1A1 differed between heat-tolerant and heat-susceptible breeds (p = 0.02). The expression of ATP1A1 at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:00, and the breed–time-of-day interaction, were not significant. The nucleotide sequence of Vechur ATP1A1 showed 99% homology with the B. t. taurus sequence. The protein sequence showed 98% homology with B. t. taurus cattle and with B. grunniens (yak) and 97.7% homology with Ovis aries (sheep). A molecular clock analysis revealed evidence of divergent adaptive evolution of the ATP1A1 gene favoring climate resilience in Vechur cattle. These findings further our knowledge of the relationship between the ATP1A1 gene and heat tolerance in phenotypically incongruent animals. We propose that ATP1A1 could be used in marker assisted selection (MAS) for heat tolerance

Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations

This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats’ welfare under extensive conditions and transportation. Although considered extremely adapted to tropical climates, their production can be compromised to cope with heat stress. Therefore, information on goat adaptation and production performance during heat exposure could help assess their welfare. Such information would be valuable as the farming communities are often struggling in their efforts to assess animal welfare, especially in tropical regions. Broadly three aspects must be considered to ensure appropriate welfare in goats, and these include (i) housing and environment; (ii) breeding and genetics and (iii) handling and transport. Apart from these, there are a few other negative welfare factors in goat rearing, which differ across the production system being followed. Such negative practices are predominant in extensive systems and include nutritional stress, limited supply of good quality water, climatic extremes, parasitic infestation and lameness, culminating in low production, reproduction and high mortality rates. Broadly two types of methodologies are available to assess welfare in goats in these systems: (i) animal-based measures include behavioral measurements, health and production records and disease symptoms; (ii) resources based and management-based measures include stocking density, manpower, housing conditions and health plans. Goat welfare could be assessed based on several indicators covering behavioral, physical, physiological and productive responses. The important indicators of goat welfare include agonistic behavior, vocalization, skin temperature, body condition score (BCS), hair coat conditions, rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, sweating, reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. There are also different approaches available by which the welfare of goats could be assessed, such as naturalistic, functional and subjective approaches. Thus, assessing welfare in goats at every production stage is a prerequisite for ensuring appropriate production in this all-important species to guarantee optimum returns to the marginal and subsistence farmers

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Opinion articleAmong the agriculture sectors, poultry industry contributes substantially to the economy of many countries. Broiler poultry is considered safe enterprise in the changing climate scenario because of the low initial investment as well as the less time for its production. Chicken meat and egg are highly rich in most of the essential micronutrients, which makes them highly demanding to all especially the poor. The desire for chicken meat is rising day by day as it has no religious taboos as compared to red meat. Moreover, it does not compromise in health as it contains low saturated fats and enriched with most of the essential micronutrients. Poultry industry is in leading position among the agricultural and allied sectors. Chicken meat and eggs are the best source of quality protein, and millions of people are craving for it especially who live in poverty. The major advantage of poultry meat and eggs are that there are no religious taboos on their consumption as compared to other livestock products. Poultry products have many positive contributions to the diet of those on low incomes. As well not all meat is seen as healthy as chicken meat and is more affordable than other meats. Poultry meat was considered high quality because of its low saturated fats and enriched essential micronutrients. Climate change associated heat stress has emerged as one of the major constraints of poultry industry particularly in the hot and humid tropics. Birds are deprived of sweat glands and therefore thermoregulation becomes challenging in hot weather, which ultimately compromises their production efficiency and prolonged exposure to heat stress causes mortality of birds. .Not Availabl

Effects of Pineal Proteins on Biochemical, Enzyme Profile and Non-Specific Immune Response of Indian Goats under Thermal Stress

The present study was conducted to establish the possible relationship between pineal gland, adrenal cortex and immune system under thermal stress in goats. The primary objective of the study was to observe how this relationship modifies the biochemical, enzyme profile and non-specific immune response on the well-being of female goats during short-term thermal stress. The study was conducted for a period of 17 days under psychrometric chamber exposing the goats to 40&deg;C and 60% RH. The animals served as self-controls prior to start of the experiment. Blood samples were drawn on day 0 and day 10 to establish control and thermal stress values respectively. Chemical adrenalectomy was achieved using metyrapone, followed by exogenous total precipitated pineal protein treatment. Both treatments were given from 11th to 17th day of study and blood collection was done after each treatment on these days. Thermal stress significantly affected plasma glucose, total protein, total cholesterol and ALP. Chemical adrenalectomy significantly affected plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, urea, ACP, ALP and phagocytosis index. Total precipitated pineal proteins successfully and significantly relieved the animals from adverse effects of heat stress and metyrapone treatment. There is evidence that most of the parameters studied were influenced by pineal protein indicating their anti-stress properties. This result establishes that total precipitated pineal proteins have significant influence on the levels to which biochemical and enzyme constituents relieve thermal stress in goats. Furthermore, it is evident from the study that pineal proteins posses the ability to influence non-specific immune response in goats

Not Available

Not AvailableIn agriculture and animal production, controlling and decreasing emission of harmful gases has become important for environmental protection. India possesses the largest livestock population in the world and although emission rate per animal is much lower than the developed countries, due to huge livestock population, the total annual methane emission is about 9–10 Tg from enteric fermentation and animal wastes. Sheep husbandry is a source of livelihood and economic sustenance among poor farmers of dry plain, mountain, and hilly regions of the country. India has 42 established sheep breeds with more in process of evaluation and characterization. In the present scenario of climate change, sheep husbandry in the country is expected to undergo dramatic changes. The frequent drought and famine situations and continuous declining of grazing resources both in terms of quality and quantity could be the reasons for decline of sheep in certain states as compared to others. Impact of climate change on sheep husbandry is visualized as changes in breed composition, population and distribution, feed and fodder scarcity, shrinkage of grazing land, spread of diseases, market trend for wool and meat, reproductive and productive disorders, poor performances, consumer demand etc. Hence while aiming at sustainable sheep production, it is imperative to concentrate on reducing the effects of climate change. The mitigation strategies can be grouped under 3 genetic, managemental and nutritional strategies. Given that sheep production system is sensitive to climate change and at the same time itself a contributor to the phenomenon, climate change has the potential to be an increasingly formidable challenge to the development of sheep sector in India.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe study was conducted to ascertain the effects of nutritional restrictions on growth, physiological adaptability and reproduction in sheep. The experiment was conducted for a period of 35 days covering two estrus cycles in 40 adult Malpura ewes. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals each (100%; 80%; 70%; 60% of ad libitum). The ewes were fed a ration consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. At weekly intervals, physiological responses were recorded and blood samples were also collected. Nutritional restriction of different magnitude (80%; 70%; 60% of ad libitum) altered the growth, physiological adaptability and estrus responses to different extents in Malpura ewes. But the impact was most severe in 60% of ad libitum group. Nutritional restriction to the level of 60% of ad libitum feeding significantly decreased body weight, body condition score, plasma insulin-like growth factor, pulse rate in the morning, respiration rate and pulse rate in the afternoon, plasma glucose, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, plasma tri-iodo-thyronine and thyroxine, plasma cortisol, plasma estradiol, estrus % and estrus duration, while it significantly increased plasma concentration of growth hormone, hemoglobin, plasma concentration of progesterone and estrus cycle length. The study clearly establishes the effect of different levels of nutrition and its impact on the biological functions necessary to adapt to semi-arid environment. Although, 80%, 70% and 60% groups showed signs of nutritional stress, the effects were more pronounced in 60% ewes. Furthermore, this study clearly establishes the role of various hormones required to adapt to different levels of nutritional stress in Malpura ewes.Not Availabl