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Laclef E, González-García E, Debus N, Taillandier P, De Boissieu C, Morin E, Lurette A. Inseminate without hormonal treatment in dairy sheep farms: exploring the consequences on the sustainability of several contrasted production systems. Animal 2024; 18:101210. [PMID: 38917727 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternatives to hormonal treatments (HTs) in dairy sheep reproduction management are being explored in response to increasing societal concerns regarding animal welfare and food safety. However, hormone-free reproduction implies higher variability in flock performances and additional constraints for timely synchronised artificial insemination (AI) in the flock, impacting the diffusion of genetic progress. The use of the male effect, a well-known practice to induce synchronised oestrus, combined with precision tools (e.g., heat detector), is a plausible way to implement AI without HT in dairy sheep farms. To date, the consequences of such alternative reproduction management on the whole farm sustainability remain unknown. To anticipate these potential impacts, a multiagent model (REPRIN'OV) was used to simulate dairy sheep farms' sustainability indicators (biotechnical, economic, environmental and workload). A reproduction management scenario, including the use of the male effect followed by AI on the adult ewes (HFAI), was simulated and compared to the current reproduction management of four case study farms (Early_conv, Late_conv, Early_org and Late_org). They were selected to represent the different agricultural models (Conventional or Organic) and reproduction seasons (Early - during spring, out of ewes' natural reproduction season - or Late -from early summer to the end of autumn) of the Roquefort Basin's farms in Southern France. Simulation results showed that the HFAI scenario had different consequences depending on the farm's production system type. A negative effect on most key sustainability indicators of the Conv farms was observed, as a significant reduction in the fertility rate, in the proportion of young ewes born from AI (-54% in both farms; P < 0.05) and in the flock's milk production were observed; while the workload and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were increased compared to the initial scenario. In the Org farms, HFAI had neutral to positive effects on most indicators as the fertility, milk production of the flock, workload during milking and GHG emissions were barely affected by this scenario, while an increase in the proportion of young ewes born from AI was observed (+39% and + 43% in each farm, respectively; P < 0.05), allowing a better farm gross margin. Still, the workload during lambing was increased in Early_org (+18%; P < 0.05), as Early farms, tended to be more negatively impacted by HFAI than Late ones. Overall, our simulation approach provides interesting elements to exchange with stakeholders on how to progress towards a socially acceptable reproduction management system, for the dairy sheep sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Laclef
- SELMET, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, L'Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, F-34000 Montpellier, France.
| | - E González-García
- SELMET, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, L'Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, F-34000 Montpellier, France
| | - N Debus
- SELMET, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, L'Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, F-34000 Montpellier, France
| | - P Taillandier
- INRAE, Toulouse University, UR MIAT, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France; IRD, Sorbonne University, UMI UMMISCO, F-93140 Bondy, France; Thuyloi University, WARM Team, 175 Tây Sơn, Trung Liệt, Đống Đa, 116705 Hà Nội, Viet Nam
| | - C De Boissieu
- French Livestock Institute (IDELE), F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - E Morin
- French Livestock Institute (IDELE), F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - A Lurette
- SELMET, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, L'Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, F-34000 Montpellier, France
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Ferreira J, Guilhermino M, Leite JM, Chaves D, do Vale A, Silveira R, Costa W, Facó O, Façanha D. Body condition score and age do not affect the physiological responses, thyroid hormones, hematological or serum biochemical parameters for tropical ewes. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1628393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Josiel Ferreira
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region, Mossoró, Brazil
| | | | - Jacinara Morais Leite
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region, Mossoró, Brazil
| | | | - André do Vale
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region, Mossoró, Brazil
| | | | - Wirton Costa
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Olivardo Facó
- Embrapa Goats and Sheep (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária), Sobral, Brazil
| | - Débora Façanha
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region, Mossoró, Brazil
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Orihuela A, Ungerfeld R, Fierros-García A, Pedernera M, Aguirre V. Rams prefer tailed than docked ewes as sexual partners. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:1473-1477. [PMID: 30051524 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In several ungulate species, the tail is used to communicate sexual states of the female. However, the role of the tail or its movements in the sexual attractiveness of the ewe and sexual activity of the ram is still unknown. Two experiments were performed to determine the influence of the tail of the ewe in these aspects. In Experiment 1, 25 rams were individually tested in random order on two experimental dates using two-choice tests to determine whether intact or docked ewes differ in sexual attractiveness, while in Experiment 2, the sexual performance of the ram towards intact or docked ewes was compared. Both experiments were performed with restrained oestrous ewes during 5-min tests. In Experiment 1, rams approach first to intact or docked ewes randomly, but thereafter mounted and courted more tailed than docked ewes (p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, 22 rams were individually tested with intact and with docked ewes. The first day, 10 rams were tested with an intact ewe and 12 with a docked ewe. The following day, the tests were crossover, so each ram was tested with the other types of ewe. Rams displayed similar courtship and mounting behaviours similarly towards tailed and docked ewes. It was concluded that rams prefer to court and mate with tailed ewes over docked ewes. However, they display similar behaviours when they cannot choose between ewes of both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Orihuela
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Rodolfo Ungerfeld
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Angel Fierros-García
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Mariana Pedernera
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Virginio Aguirre
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Allaoui A, Safsaf B, Tlidjane M, Djaalab I, Mansour HD. Effect of increasing levels of wasted date palm in concentrate diet on reproductive performance of Ouled Djellal breeding rams during flushing period. Vet World 2018; 11:712-719. [PMID: 29915513 PMCID: PMC5993764 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.712-719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The aim of the study was to assess the effect of two levels of wasted date (WD) by replacing commercial concentrate on the reproductive performance of Ouled Djellal (OD) rams. Materials and Methods Eighteen mature (2-year-old) OD rams were equally allocated to three groups and fed during 11 weeks with one of three different experimental diets, that contained 0% (0 WD), 50% (50 WD), or 75% (75 WD) of WDs in concentrate diet. Live body weight (LBW), body condition scoring (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular weight (TW), sperm production and quality, plasma testosterone concentration (T), and sexual behavior (reaction time and number of mounts with ejaculation) were regularly recorded from every ram. Results LBW, SC, and TW changed significantly among diet groups and during the experimental period (p<0.001), the highest averages were recorded in (0 WD) group. LBW, BCS, SC, TW, semen volume, and percentage of the positive hypo-osmotic swelling test were (p<0.001) positively influenced by flushing period. Nevertheless, sperm concentration showed a significant (p<0.001) decrease at day 30, followed by a return to the initial values afterward. There were no differences (p>0.05) between diet groups for plasma testosterone concentration and semen attributes, except that (50 WD) group expressed the lowest overall value of semen concentration. Furthermore, neither time nor diet affected (p>0.05) sperm motility and reproductive behavior parameters. Conclusions It is possible to introduce WD as unconventional local feeding resources in flushing diet of breeding rams without disturbing their reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Allaoui
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Institute, Laboratory ESPA, Hadj Lakhdar Batna-1 University, Batna - 05000, Algeria
| | - B Safsaf
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Institute, Laboratory ESPA, Hadj Lakhdar Batna-1 University, Batna - 05000, Algeria
| | - M Tlidjane
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Institute, Laboratory ESPA, Hadj Lakhdar Batna-1 University, Batna - 05000, Algeria
| | - I Djaalab
- Department of Animal Productions, Veterinary Sciences Institute, Laboratory GSPA, Mentouri University, Constantine -25000, Algeria
| | - H Djaalab Mansour
- Department of Animal Productions, Veterinary Sciences Institute, Laboratory GSPA, Mentouri University, Constantine -25000, Algeria
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