Dorper Sheep Research Articles

Whole-Genome Resequencing to Study Brucellosis Susceptibility in Sheep.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and a major public health problem. However, the genetic mechanism of brucellosis in sheep remains unclear. In this study, serum samples were collected from 6,358 sheep from the F2 population (Dorper sheep ♂ × Hu sheep ♀), and antibody levels were continuously measured at 14 days and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 months after administration of brucellosis vaccine. Finally, 19 brucellosis-resistant group (BRG) sheep and 22 brucellosis-susceptible group sheep (BSG) were screened for whole-genome sequencing. Using the fixation index, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-square test, a total of 205 candidate SNP sites were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis suggested that 138 candidate genes were significantly enriched in adherens junction (CTNNA3, PARD3, and PTPRM), cell adhesion molecules (NLGN1, CNTNAP2, NCAM1, and PTPRM), salivary secretion (LOC101102109, PRKG1, and ADCY2), and hippo signaling pathway (CTNNA3, YAP1, and PARD3). These findings provide valuable molecular markers for brucellosis resistance breeding in sheep and novel insights into the genetic mechanism of brucellosis resistance.

Genetic Selection for Resistance to Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Meat Goats and Hair Sheep through a Performance Test with Artificial Infection of Haemonchus contortus.

Simple SummaryInternal parasitism has been an important constraint to small ruminant production and anthelmintic resistance has become a worldwide issue. This study evaluated a 3-year genetic selection program through activities on-farm and a centralized performance test and also provided estimates of genetic parameters of growth and response to artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus by goats and sheep in the southcentral USA. Considerable species as well as breed differences were found in average daily gain and response to parasite infection. Average daily gain was greater for Boer than for Kiko and Spanish goats and slightly greater for Dorper than for St. Croix sheep. Infection level (number of eggs found in feces) of Spanish and St. Croix were relatively low each year, whereas that of Kiko and Dorper was lower after selection. An indicator of anemia (packed cell volume) did not always reflect infection level, which is probably reflective of differences among animals in resilience and susceptibility to haemonchosis. Moderate to high heritabilities were found for growth performance and response to parasite infection for growing meat goat and hair sheep males under a standardized environment that suggests considerable potential for genetic improvement through selection.Internal parasitism has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants in many areas such as the southcentral USA. Among the different approaches and management practices to cope with internal parasitism, genetic selection for internal parasite resistance is recognized as one with considerable potential long-term impact. A central performance test with artificial infection of Haemonchus contortus for selection of growing meat goats and hair sheep for breeding to increase resistance to internal parasitism and on-farm selection of females was conducted for 3 years. The results varied considerably among breeds of goats and flocks of sheep. Spanish goats and St. Croix sheep maintained relatively low fecal egg count (FEC) each year, whereas for goats categorized as being of high resistance and Dorper sheep FEC decreased with advancing year. Packed call volume (PCV) and total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were not strongly related to FEC. Genetic parameters varied between the two species, which might be related to previous selection pressure exerted for parasite resistance. Heritability of FEC was higher in goats than sheep. The genetic correlation between FEC and IgM and IgG was negative for both species, which suggests possible genetic association. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between ADG and FEC were nonsignificant for both species. In conclusion, different relationships of FEC and PCV between species require careful attention during selection and the lack of relationship between ADG and FEC suggests that selection of growing male meat goats and hair sheep for resistance to internal parasitism will not adversely affect growth performance.

Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Content and NMR Metabolic Profile of Dorper Sheep Supplemented with Bypass Fats.

The supplementation of rumen bypass fat (RBF) has remained one of the preferred approaches used to decrease undesirable saturated fatty acids (FA) and increase beneficial unsaturated FA in the meat. This study was planned to evaluate the influences of rumen bypass fats on meat quality, fatty acid and metabolic profiles in male Dorper sheep (n = 36) with 24.66 ± 0.76 kg (mean ± standard error) initial body weight. Treatment comprised a basal diet (30:70 rice straw to concentrate) with no added RBF as a control (CON), basal diet with prilled fat (PF), basal diet with prilled fat plus lecithin (PFL) and basal diet with calcium soap of palm fatty acids (CaS). The findings revealed that cooking loss, drip loss and shear force in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were not affected by RBF supplementation, while meat pH was significantly higher in the CaS on aging day 1. However, the diet supplemented with prilled fat and lecithin modified the meat’s fatty acid profile significantly by increasing unsaturated fatty acids and decreasing saturated fats. The relative quantification of the major differentiating metabolites found in LD muscle of sheep showed that total cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, choline, glycerophosphocholine and glycerophospholipids were significantly lower in CaS and PFL diets, while glycerol and sphingomyelin were significantly higher in CaS and PFL diets. Most of the metabolites in the liver did not show any significant difference. Based on our results, the supplementation of protected fats did not have a negative influence on meat quality and the meat from Dorper sheep fed prilled fat with lecithin contained more healthy fatty acids compared to other diets.

Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding

Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve Dorper sheep (Ovies aries) to a drone to adapt mathematical models of shepherding to the new dimension. The model aims to make it feasible for artificial intelligence to improve the autonomy of farmers and pilots in shepherding from the sky. Sheep acclimatised quickly and positively to the drone initiating drive of a flock, regardless of drone speed. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public.

Perinatal Cardiovascular Evaluation in Dorper Sheep Echocardiographic Description and Behavior of the Heart Rate Variability on the Field

The heart is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, with a predominance of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity associated, respectively, with increases and decreases in the heart rate, as illustrated by the Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Pregnancy induces significant changes in the maternal cardiovascular and hemodynamic systems. This study aimed at evaluating changes in the clinical and echocardiographic parameters of pregnant sheep, as well as the HRV indexes due to the physiological alterations that happen at this stage implicating in high maternal metabolic demands. For this purpose, the study evaluated 10 Dorper sheep through their pregnancy, starting from the second month until the day after delivery (24 h after birth), being evaluated clinical parameters, some of the echocardiographic measurements and electrocardiographic examinations focused on the HRV. The HRV indexes were obtained through the Televet 100® system. There were increases in the thickness of the interventricular septum during diastole starting from the third month and in the internal diameter of the left ventricle during systole and diastole at the second and third months, that diverged across the moments studied, while the ejection fraction increased as the pregnancy progressed. There were increases in the LVFWs values in the 2nd and 5th months. The size of the left atrium increased starting at the second month. The SDNN, RMSSD and PNN 50 HRV indexes were higher at the fifth month of pregnancy and after delivery. There were no significant differences in the frequency-domain HRV indexes during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, there is an increase in some echocardiographic parameters as well as a predominance of parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activity. The gestation leads to alterations in the clinical parameters and the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

Prospects of use of genetic resources of sheep in Ukraine

Prospects of use of genetic resources of sheep in Ukraine

Sheepskin leather quality characteristics of South African breeds

In order to investigate the physical leather quality characteristics of different sheep breeds, skins were obtained from Dohne Merino, Dormer, Dorper, Meatmaster, Merino, South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and White Dorper yearlings from two separate growth studies. The cured skins were stored for 18 months (Group 1) and 9 months (Group 2) prior to tanning. After tanning, samples from the butt region of the skins were taken to determine the tensile strength and distension properties. While sex, was found to have little effect (P > 0.05) on the physical characteristics of the leather in both groups, breed was found to have a more defined effect. Leather samples from White Dorper, Meatmaster and Dorper sheep had higher tensile strengths than that of wool breeds (∼15.23 N/mm2 vs. ∼9.31 N/mm2, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). In both production groups, White Dorper skins exhibited the highest breaking force (207.3 N and 280.5 N) and percentage elongation at break (103.5 % and 77.2 %). Alternatively, Merino, SAMM, Dohne Merino and Dormer skins showed weaker properties which reduced the extent to which these skins could be shaved without breaking, resulting in thicker leather with weaker characteristics than that of the hair sheep breeds. The leather properties of hair sheep breeds more closely resemble the industry stipulations for nappa leather products; while poorer quality skins from wool breeds are less desirable and may require different tanning processes to achieve an improved product.

Breed effects and heterosis for weight traits and tick count in a cross between an indigenous fat-tailed and a commercial sheep breed.

Ticks can compromise productivity and welfare in free-ranging sheep. Chemical tick control may not be sustainable in the long term. Alternative control measures must be sought for an integrated control programme. Birth and weaning weights as well as log transformed overall tick count of indigenous fat-tailed Namaqua Afrikaner (NA), commercial Dorper and NA x Dorper cross lambs were studied under extensive conditions. Relative to NA lambs, Dorper lambs were 22.2% heavier at weaning (P < 0.05). Geometric means for total tick count on Dorper lambs exceeded those of their Namaqua Afrikaner contemporaries by more than twofold (P < 0.05). Relative to the pure-breed midparent value, the mean performance of NA x Dorper lambs was 7.9% more for birth weight, 11.2% more for weaning weight and 26.2% less for the back transformed means for total tick count (P < 0.05). Heterosis for total tick count was slightly greater at -29.3% when data were adjusted for the larger size of NA x Dorper lambs. Crossing commercial Dorper sheep with a hardy, indigenous breed therefore resulted in lower levels of tick infestation without compromising live weight in progeny so derived. Hardy, indigenous genetic resources like the NA should be conserved and used in further studies of ovine genetics of resistance to ticks in South Africa.

Expression of cytokine genes at tick attachment and control sites of Namaqua Afrikaner, Dorper and South African Mutton Merino sheep

Cytokines are immune response components important in innate immunity and inflammatory response. They are harnessed as part of local immunological responses by animals to combat local infections and/or infestations. This study investigated expression of four selected cytokine genes, namely, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), chemokine C-C ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine C-C ligand 26 (CCL26) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), at tick attachment and control sites in a South African indigenous sheep breed the Namaqua Afrikaner (NA) and two commercial breeds, the Dorper and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM). The NA was previously shown to be more resistant to infestation by ticks than the two commercial breeds. NA ewes expressed IL-1β more at tick attachment sites compared to Dorpers. The NA breed was also more likely to upregulate the expression of the CCL2, CCL26 and IL-8 genes at tick attachment sites compared to control sites than the other breeds. The results of this study gave an indication that cytokines are involved in immune responses to tick challenge and laid a foundation for further studies under controlled challenge conditions.

ASSESSMENT OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS EFFECTS ON LIVE WEIGHT, BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) AND EXTERNAL UDDER MEASUREMENTS OF DORPER SHEEP

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that can be classified as clinical and subclinical mastitis. The clinical mastitis can be diagnosed based on clinical signs, whilst subclinical mastitis mostly through somatic cell count (SCC). This study was carried out to determine the subclinical mastitis effects on live weight, body condition score (BCS) and external udder traits of Dorper sheep. A total 16 Dorper ewes were selected and screened for mastitis using the Californian mastitis test (CMT). The live weight, BCS and external udder traits (i.e. udder length (UL), udder width (UW), rear udder depth (RUD), cistern depth (CD) and teat length (TL) of the ewes were measured. The subclinical mastitis did not affect the live weight and BCS of Dorper ewes. Whilst for external udder measurements; the highest average of udder length, udder width, rear udder depth and cistern depth were indicated in CMT score as strong positive which shows that the measurement values of external ewes’ udder are increased when the strength detection of CMT scores increased and vice versa. However, all of the external udder parameters measured were not statistically (P&gt;0.05) affected by the mastitis infection scores. The present results indicate that live weight, BCS and all external udder parameters did not influence the subclinical mastitis detected in the milk’s samples of the ewes. This study suggests that subclinical mastitis does not directly affected by morphology alteration of external udder traits, live weight or BCS, however it is likely affect the quality of milk produced.

&lt;i&gt;Acacia nilotica&lt;/i&gt; Leaf Meal - Potential Supplement to 25% Dorper Crosses of Local Sheep Fed a Basal Diet of Natural Pasture Hay

This research was undertaken to evaluate the replacement potential of dried leaf meal of Acacia nilotica for noug seed cake (NSC) to supplement the low quality grass hay in the diet of crossbred (25% Dorper) sheep. In doing so, four treatments were set up in such a way that 0% (T1), 33% (T2), 67% (T3), and 100% (T4) NSC is replaced with dried leaf of Acacia nilotica from a conventional supplement while the treatments were kept isonitrogenous. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design where twenty animals were allocated to the four treatments. The experiment consisted of hundred days of feeding trial followed by evaluation of carcass components at the end. In view of chemical composition, grass hay contained lower crude protein (CP) and high cell wall contents that makes it lower quality feed. On the other hand, Acacia nilotica leaf meal was moderate in quality that can support moderate level of ruminant production. The maximum inclusion level of Acacia nilotica was 61.3% or 319.2 gram per day for 25% Dorper cross sheep fed natural pasture hay as a basal diet. Partial and complete replacement of NSC with Acacia nilotica leaf meal significantly increased TDMI (P < 0.001) and as a result average daily gain was higher for leaf meal supplemented groups. Dressing percentage was also tended to be greater for treatments where NSC was replaced by Acacia nilotica leaf meal. Hot carcass weight was in the range of 14.8 to 17.8kg which is higher than the national average carcass weight for Ethiopian sheep and it was also found to be higher when NSC was partially (33%) as well as completely replaced by the leaf meal. In general, NSC can be replaced either partially or completely with Acacia nilotica leaf meal in the diet of 25% dorper crosses while weight gain as well as carcass yield is promoted.

Utilising dual-purpose crops to produce prime lambs: comparison of White Dorper and Merino sheep on crops and pasture

Context Dual-purpose crops (for grazing and grain) are an important part of the feedbase in mixed farming systems in the medium-rainfall zone of southern Australia. On these farms, non-wool sheep breeds such as the Dorper may provide an opportunity to increase lamb production while reducing labour costs compared with traditional sheep breeds. Aims This study was designed to compare lamb production systems based on White Dorper and Merino ewes joined to a terminal sire, while exploiting a feedbase that included dual-purpose crops. Methods Two experiments were conducted at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, during 2013 (Expt 1) and 2014 (Expt 2). In February in both experiments, White Dorper ewes were joined to either White Dorper or White Suffolk rams (lambs designated DD and WSD, respectively), and Merino ewes were joined to White Suffolk rams (lambs designated WSM). In Expt 1 a dual-purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop was established and the paddock subdivided into nine plots (0.93 ha each). Pregnant ewes were allocated to plots on the basis of genotype (DD, WSD or WSM grazing separate plots) after blocking for number of fetuses identified at mid-pregnancy scanning, with three replicates based on genotype. Lambing commenced on 28 June, and ewes grazed the crop from 27 June to 14 August and then continued to graze in the same groups on a lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)–clover (Trifolium spp.) pasture subdivided into nine plots (2.1 ha), maintaining the same replicates until weaning on 2 October. In Expt 2, the cropping paddock was subdivided into six plots (1.86 ha each) sown to either dual-purpose wheat or canola (Brassica napus L.), with three replicates. Lambing commenced on 13 July. Merino and White Dorper ewes grazed the crops concurrently from 19 June to 12 August, and then lucerne–clover pasture until weaning on 29 September. In both experiments a mineral supplement was fed to ewes grazing wheat during the crop-grazing period. Key results Feed on offer was low (0.33 t/ha) in dual-purpose wheat crops at the start of grazing in Expt 1 and did not differ among genotypes at the cessation of grazing crops. Feed on offer was higher in wheat than canola at the commencement of grazing in Expt 2 (2.6 vs 2.3 t/ha; P = 0.009), and a higher stocking rate was maintained on wheat than canola from the start of lambing. White Dorper ewes maintained a higher body condition score than Merino ewes throughout both experiments. In Expt 2, some ewes had serum magnesium and calcium levels below the normal range, and a high number of ewes (20%) required assistance at lambing. Number of lambs weaned per ewe scanned pregnant was similar among genotypes in both experiments. WSD lambs were heaviest (P &lt; 0.05) at weaning and DD lambs had greatest (P &lt; 0.05) fat depth over the eye muscle at weaning. Conclusions and implications When grazed on a feedbase typical of mixed farms in the medium-rainfall zone of southern NSW, White Dorper ewes were in higher body condition than Merino ewes; however, reproductive rates were similar. Joining White Dorper ewes to a terminal sire may increase weaning weight of lambs compared with joining to a White Dorper ram, or a Merino maternal system.

Quality, proximate composition, and sensory characteristics of Dorper, domestic commercial crossbred, and Australian sheep meat: a comparative study.

The objective of this study was to compare the proximate, quality, and sensory attributes of Dorper sheep meat (Dorper), domestic commercial crossbred (DCC) and Australian commercial crossbred (ACC). A total of 60 untrimmed loins from the three sheep sources were purchased (20 sheep loins/source) and processed. The objective color, objective tenderness [Warner–Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF)], and proximate composition of the sheep meat were evaluated. A consumer panel and a trained sensory panel were also conducted to evaluate the sensory attributes. Dorper had greater (P = 0.04) carbohydrate content compared to DCC, but was not (P = 0.86) different from ACC. In addition, Dorper had the greatest WBSF value, followed by DCC, with ACC having the least WBSF out of the three (P < 0.0001). For the consumer panel, Dorper was rated to be less tender than ACC (P = 0.01), but was not different from DCC (P = 0.76). Dorper was also rated with lower flavor acceptability compared to DCC (P = 0.02), but was not different from ACC (P = 0.86). In addition, Dorper had the lowest overall acceptance rating by the consumers (P = 0.01). Trained sensory panel results followed the same trend as the consumer panel results which rated Dorper to be less tender than ACC (P = 0.002), but was not different from DCC (P = 0.10). Dorper was also rated with greater off-flavor intensity compared to DCC (P = 0.009), but was not different from ACC (P = 0.53). Finally, no differences were found for all other attributes evaluated among the sheep sources. The results indicated that consumers did not prefer Dorper over ACC and DCC. However, additional research with a more controlled environment is needed to shed light on the true palatability traits of Dorper.

Heart rate variability in Dorper sheep in the fetal and neonatal periods until 120 days of age: Use of the technique in the field.

The evaluation of the autonomic cardiac functions may be performed through the analysis of the heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is defined as the fluctuations in the heart rhythm or rate, and represents a useful tool in the evaluation of the autonomic nervous system through the sympathetic and parasympathetic components, as well as its balance and its reflexes on the cardiorespiratory control system. Fetal electrocardiography provides important information regarding the well-being of the fetus since, in human fetuses, there are changes in the behavior of the fetal heart rate during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to an increase in parasympathetic activity. Therefore, considering the importance of evaluating fetal viability, this study aims at evaluating the behavior of fetal heart rate and heart rate variability in Dorper sheep, as well as the activity of the autonomic nervous system during fetal life and in newborn lambs. The species is often used in experimental studies and autonomic nervous system activity is a prognostic index, therefore, the diagnosis of modifications in the sympathovagal balance may represent an early index for fetal viability and well-being in lambs. The analyses were performed in 10 Dorper sheep during pregnancy and in 10 lambs after birth until 120 days of age. There was a decrease in the fetal heart rate and heart rate variability indexes during the fifth month of pregnancy, but without statistical significance for the period evaluated. The heart rate of the lambs decreased gradually until they were 21 days old. The indexes SDNN (standard deviation of RR intervals) and RMSSD (square root of the mean of successive differences between adjacent RR intervals) diverged according to age, being high at day 60. Fetal viability is relevant in sheep fetuses to avoid losses during pregnancy and risks to the health of the mother. In the species, there seems to be a predominance of parasympathetic activity starting from the 21st day of age. Heart rate variability may be employed as a tool in the evaluation of the fetus and development of lambs, since changes in its behavior may represent an adverse effect to fetal and neonatal health.

Echocardiographic evaluation in Dorper ovine fetuses: Applications and limitations.

In this study we aim to show the application of ultrasound evaluation of the fetal heart in the ovine species, as well as its limitations in the field. Ten Dorper sheep, without any sedation, were evaluated starting from the second month of pregnancy through transabdominal ultrasound with an ultrasound device equipped with a convex transducer. Images of the fetal heart were obtained through maternal abdominal ultrasound by identifying the position of the fetus and conducting the following measurements: length and diameter of the heart, dimensions of the right and left ventricles and dimensions of the right and left atria. The measurements could only be conducted with acceptable precision starting from the third month of pregnancy. There was a significant difference only for left ventricle diameter, which was larger in the fifth month of pregnancy. The echocardiographic evaluation of the fetus enables monitoring the heart development identifying early fetal viability, assessing inadequate events that could put the pregnancy at risk, especially for production animals. For the experimental design of research employing production animals, it is important to consider, among other factors, the limitations of the evaluation on the field, such as restraining the animals, the stress caused by handling and environmental conditions, temperature, luminosity, facilities available and the qualifications of the team.

Screening of genes coupled to heat response in Mongolian and Dorper sheep breeds

Mongolian sheep and Dorper sheep as keystone sheep breed present excellent adaptability to the surroundings, but the heat-responsive genes of two sheep breeds are rarely explored, especially non-coding RNA gene. The three Mongolian sheep and three Dorper sheep were treated under heat condition, and the livers of six sheep were sampled and arranged to sequence. Using bioinformatics analysis to investigate RNA-seq data, 335 differentially expressed protein-coding genes and 65 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes were emerged. In the liver of Mongolian sheep, 5 protein-coding genes relevant to heat response were inspected, including COMMD10, ABCA9, NIPAL1, APOA4 and LIN7A while 8 genes containing NUP62, PLIN2, ACACB, NIPAL1, EXO1, LGALS3, TRPM1 and TRPV2 were screened in liver of Dorper sheep. The biological effects of the 12 protein-coding genes were involved in heat shock protein binding, lipid homeostasis and storage, fatty acid oxidation, magnesium/calcium ions import, anti-oxidation and DNA repair. Among above heat response-centric genes, ABCA9 was predicted as target gene of significantly differential XLOC_476131. The selected 12 protein-coding genes and 1 lncRNA genes were considered to provide an understanding of how sheep positively respond to heat stress, and further to provide molecular evidence on heat-tolerance.

Laryngeal chondritis in two Dorper sheep

Laryngeal chondritis is an acute obstructive upper respiratory condition characterised by severe dyspnoea and laryngeal stridor, considered an uncommon disease in sheep. In this study, we describe detailed clinical evolution,...

The gut bacterial diversity of sheep associated with different breeds in Qinghai province

BackgroundGut microbiota play important roles in their co-evolution with mammals. However, little is understood about gut bacterial community of Tibetan sheep compared with other sheep breeds. In this study, we investigated the gut bacterial community in 4 different sheep breeds living in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) of China using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technique.ResultsThe results suggested that bacterial community abundance and breeds diversity of Tibetan sheep (TS) were significantly lower than that of the other three breeds of sheep [Dorset sheep (DrS), Dorper sheep (DrS) and Small Tail Han sheep (STHS)] (p < 0.05). Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated that microbiome composition of TS was significantly different from that of other three sheep breeds (p < 0.01). Firmicutes was the most predominant microbial phylum in the gut, followed by Bacteroidetes. The gut bacterial community of TS showed higher proportions of phylum Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, compared to the other three sheep breeds, but the Deferribacteres was absent in TS. At the genus level, Treponema, Succinivibrio, 5-7 N15 and Prevotella showed significantly higher abundance in TS than in the other three sheep breeds (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn this study, we first employed HTS to understand the gut microbiomes among different sheep breeds in QTP of China.

Bacteriological Quality of Raw Ovine Milk from Different Sheep Farms.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality of sheep milk produced by four farms in Eastern Hungary. In addition to individual raw milk and bulk tank milk samples, the udder surface of ewes was also tested for bacterial counts. A total of 164 samples were collected during regular milking sessions. The results showed that bulk tank milk samples contained up to 10,000 times as many bacteria as did their individual raw milk counterparts. The mean concentrations of bacteria in bulk tank milk on two farms exceeded regulatory limits. Additional research needs to be done to clarify this.The primary purpose of this research was to examine the bacteriological properties of raw ovine milk produced by Merino, Tsigai, Dorper, Lacaune, and British Milk Sheep flocks on four sheep farms located in the eastern part of Hungary. In addition to individual raw milk (IRM) and bulk tank milk (BTM) samples, the udder surface (US) of ewes was also tested for bacteriological quality. A total of 77 US, 77 IRM, and 10 BTM samples were collected in the early morning during regular milking sessions. The samples, kept cooled at temperatures below 4 °C, were delivered to the microbiological laboratory and were examined immediately. The relatively low numbers of bacteria in both US and IRM samples reflected good housing conditions of ewes kept on the four farms studied. However, BTM samples had up to 3.5–4.0 log10 CFU/mL higher mean bacterial counts than their IRM counterparts, and the mean levels of bacteria in BTM on two farms even exceeded the regulatory limit of 6.18 log10 CFU/mL. Further studies need to be performed to clarify this issue.

Uso do sistema de pontuação breeding soundness examination em carneiros das raças Santa Inês e Dorper

This study evaluates the use of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE) scoring system in Santa Ines and Dorper rams. 89 Santa Ines (n = 48) and Dorper (n = 41) rams were submitted to andrological examination and classified with the BSE scoring system. The proportion of Santa Ines sheep with satisfactory and questionable performance in the BSE scoring system was 66.6% (32/48) and 33.34% (16/48), respectively. The average BSE value was higher (p < 0.05) in rams with satisfactory performance (15.83 ± 1.24), compared to those with questionable performance (12.00 ± 0.87). The proportion of Dorper rams with excellent and satisfactory performance in the BSE scoring system was 26.83% (11/41) and 73.17% (30/41), respectively. The average value of BSE was higher (p<0.05) in rams with excellent performance (19.29 ± 0.45) in relation to those with satisfactory performance (16.77 ± 0.99). In Santa Ines sheep there was a strong positive correlation between BSE and scrotal perimeter e (r = 0.75; p < 0.01) and a moderate negative correlation between BSE and sperm morphology (r = -0.52; p < 0.01). In Dorper sheep there was a strong positive correlation between BSE and scrotal perimeter (r = 0.69; p < 0.01) and a moderate negative correlation between BSE and sperm morphology (r = -0.60; p < 0.01). BSE can therefore be used as a complementary tool for andrological examination. It was possible to classify and rank Santa Ines and Dorper sheep according to the parameters adopted by BSE.