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Abstract
This paper outlines the effect of farming systems with reference to season on the body condition score (BCS) and adaptive profile (physiological, hemato-biochemical, hormonal, enzymatic and reproductive parameters) of Nellore sheep. In trial 1, sixty ewe-lambs were allotted to extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive rearing systems (n = 20) and evaluated for BCS at puberty, mating, 2 weeks pre-lambing and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-lambing. In trial 2, eighteen rams were distributed evenly to three farming systems (n = 6) and evaluated for physiological, hemato-biochemical, hormonal, enzymatic, and reproductive parameters concerning three seasons. Although the scores did not differ among the groups, the Kruskal-Wallis ranks of BCS revealed a higher energy status of intensive ewes at different physiological conditions. The sheep reared under extensive and semi-intensive systems displayed higher temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate with predominant effects in summer season. Similarly, both systems exhibited higher WBC and lower haemoglobin, PCV, and RBC contents without affecting MVC, MCH, MCHC, and differential leucocyte count. The percent haemoglobin and RBC count were higher in winter compared to summer months, whereas WBC count followed an exactly opposite pattern. The sheep reared in intensive system showed higher glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, T3, T4, calcium, and phosphorus; however, the globulin, creatinine, uric acid, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels were elevated in extensive and semi-intensive systems. The dartos muscle extension (DME) and scrotum sweating rate (SSR) were higher for the sheep reared under extensive system, especially during summer season; while the seminal parameters viz., total sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and plasma membrane integrity were lower for extensive and semi-intensive sheep. No interactions were noticed for any of the parameters, except for cortisol, DME, and SSR, which showed significant interactions for rearing system vs. season. Our results showed dynamic adaptive mechanisms of the Nellore sheep in relation to different stressors like grazing for long distances, inadequate nutrition, and heat stress, revealing the heat resilient ability in harsh environmental conditions. Further, the analyzed vector plot showed that the AST, GPx, Cortisol, SOD, Catalase, WBC, PR, T4, total abnormalities, and major abnormalities were the major contributors for adapting during combined stressors.
Highlights
Livestock rearing plays a vital role in the economy of developing countries
No significant changes were observed for body condition score (BCS) at all the measured periods, except for 12 wk-post-lambing, which was higher (P < 0.001) in intensive farming system (FS)
The study projects Nellore sheep breed as a climate-resilient breed, which can be used for crossbreeding with exotic sheep to sustain tropical Indian conditions
Summary
Livestock rearing plays a vital role in the economy of developing countries. Small ruminant farming provides income and employment to the poor households of rural society, especially in areas with hills, cliffs, and sparse vegetation. The prevailing food shortage and malnutrition problems of third world countries could be lessened by encouraging the sheep rearing practices. The farming systems of sheep are broadly categorized into extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive rearing systems. Intensive system involves stall-feeding without sending the sheep for grazing; the semiintensive and extensive systems allow the sheep to graze in an open environment for long hours. Grazing for long periods under high solar loads may trigger heat stress, and managing animals under low plane of nutrition induce nutritional stress. The body weight gains, growth rates, and cost-effectiveness of the sheep under three farming systems are presented in Karthik et al (2021). The same paper dealt with the heat and nutritional stress instigated by extensive farming system, leading to the lower body weight gains and lesser returns to the shepherds
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