Article
Veterinary Sciences
Thomas Clune, Amy Lockwood, Serina Hancock, Andrew N. Thompson, Mieghan Bruce, Sue Beetson, Angus J. Campbell, Elsa Glanville, Daniel Brookes, Colin Trengove, Ryan O'Handley, Caroline Jacobson
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the reproductive performance of primiparous ewes in southern Australia. The results showed a low frequency of detection of T. gondii seroconversion during gestation and a low frequency of seropositivity to T. gondii, suggesting that toxoplasmosis was not a major contributor to reproductive losses in primiparous ewes on farms located over a wide geographical area in southern Australia.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. E. Pritchard, A. P. Williams, P. Davies, D. Jones, A. R. Smith
Summary: Providing additional artificial shelters for pregnant ewes in outdoor lambing systems in upland farms in the UK can significantly reduce shepherding problems caused by adverse weather conditions. Highlander ewes are more likely to seek shelter and require fewer interventions when facing issues compared to Aberfield ewes. This highlights the substantial benefits to animal welfare and productivity that can be achieved through shelter provision in UK upland outdoor lambing systems.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dayna Hutchison, Bronwyn E. Clarke, Serina Hancock, Andrew N. Thompson, Elise Bowen, Caroline Jacobson
Summary: The reproductive performance of maiden ewes is poorer than that of multiparous ewes, and the extent and causes of this difference are not well understood in Australian sheep farming. This study compared the reproductive performance of maiden ewes and multiparous ewes on the same farms and found significant differences in lamb marking rate and reproductive success. Strategies to improve reproductive rate and lamb survival can address the suboptimal reproductive performance of maiden ewes.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tom Clune, Shane Besier, Sam Hair, Serina Hancock, Amy Lockwood, Andrew Thompson, Martina Jelocnik, Caroline Jacobson
Summary: This study investigated the causes of perinatal lamb deaths for lambs born to primiparous ewes in Western Australia. The main causes of death were identified as starvation-mismosthering-exposure, dystocia, and stillbirth. Additionally, a pathogenic strain of Chlamydia pecorum (ST23) was detected in aborted and stillborn lambs on multiple farms.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Mieghan Bruce, John M. Young, David G. Masters, Gordon Refshauge, Andrew N. Thompson, Paul R. Kenyon, Ralph Behrendt, Amy Lockwood, David W. Miller, Caroline Jacobson
Summary: Dystocia contributes to significant lamb and ewe mortality in sheep production in Australia and New Zealand. The financial impacts of dystocia on the Australian sheep industry are substantial, and reducing dystocia through improved genetics and management can lead to improved animal welfare and farm profit.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Paul R. Kenyon, Rene A. Corner-Thomas
Summary: This review provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of breeding ewe lambs, as well as factors affecting breeding success and management guidelines. It highlights the differences between ewe lamb and mature ewe reproductive performance, and outlines the potential long-term consequences of breeding ewe lambs. The review also identifies areas requiring further research.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sergio Villanueva-Saz, Marta Borobia, Antonio Fernandez, Calasanz Jimenez, Andres Yzuel, Maria Teresa Verde, Maria Angeles Ramo, Luis Figueras, Hector Ruiz
Summary: This article introduces vector-borne diseases caused by Babesia and Theileria in sheep, focusing on the pathogenic mechanisms associated with anaemia. It explains the clinical signs, pathogenesis, and diagnostic methods.
Article
Parasitology
Thomas Clune, Amy Lockwood, Serina Hancock, Mieghan Bruce, Andrew N. Thompson, Sue Beetson, Angus J. Campbell, Elsa Glanville, Daniel Brookes, Colin Trengove, Ryan O'Handley, Caroline Jacobson
Summary: The study revealed a low seroprevalence of N. caninum in Australian breeding ewes, and exposure to the pathogen was unlikely to explain the abortion and perinatal mortalities observed in primiparous ewes.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wenkui Ma, Hao Wu, Guangdong Li, Laiqing Yan, Likai Wang, Mengmeng Zhao, Shengyu Guan, Shang Xu, Xiaokai Guo, Fenze Liu, Pengyun Ji, Abulizi Wusiman, Guoshi Liu
Summary: Melatonin promotes the growth and development of lambs by regulating gene expression and intestinal microbial flora.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hongwei Duan, Junjie Hu, Longfei Xiao, Jianshu Lv, Yong Zhang, Xingxu Zhao
Summary: In sheep granulosa cells (GCs), the production of melatonin was inhibited by E2 through an ERA and ERB-mediated process, which also affected the expression of melatonin receptors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander L. Pendleton, Sean W. Limesand, Ravi Goyal
Summary: Maintaining constant blood flow to the brain is important to prevent brain damage. Preterm neonates are unable to reduce cerebral blood flow in response to increased blood pressure. This study presents an innovative approach to measure fetal blood flow and pressure, which can be used to study the response of cerebral blood vessels. This method could also be applied to study blood vessels in other organs.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Amellia Redfearn, Estelle Janodet, Jody McNally, Heather Brewer, Emma Doyle, Rebecca Doyle, Sabine Schmoelzl
Summary: Dystocia is a major cause of lamb mortality, leading to newborn hypoxia, CNS damage, increased risk of starvation, exposure, mismothering and death. This study found that dystocic ewes exhibited lower expression of maternal behaviors and higher expression of avoidance behaviors, as well as performing fewer behaviors overall compared to eutocic ewes. Dystocia significantly affects the quality and quantity of ewe maternal behavior, increasing the risk of lamb avoidance, maternal disinterest, and lamb death.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kebede Habtegiorgis, Aynalem Haile, Tesfaye Getachew, Adisu Jimma, Deribe Gemiyo
Summary: This study analyzed the litter size, litter weight, and preweaning lamb mortality of Doyogena sheep managed under a community-based breeding program (CBBP). The results showed that the ongoing selection program had a positive influence on the survival rate of lambs. Improving the flock environment and providing special care for multiple-born and small lambs would further improve lamb survival.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Hao Tian, Qi Qi, Fengxiang Yan, Chunxin Wang, Fujun Hou, Weimin Ren, Li Zhang, Jian Hou
Summary: Supplementation of prepubertal oocytes with sericin and FLI in IVM medium significantly improved the blastocyst development rate, suggesting the potential for enhancing the developmental competence of oocytes in juvenile in vitro embryo transfer technology. These findings may contribute to the advancement of assisted reproductive technologies in relevant fields.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Anne L. Ridler, Kate J. Flay, Paul R. Kenyon, Hugh T. Blair, Rene A. Corner-Thomas, Emma J. Pettigrew
Summary: This study investigated the factors associated with lamb mortality and its cause, comparing lambs born to ewe hoggets with those born to mature-age ewes. The study found that low birthweight, multiple litter size, and increasing ewe hogget average daily gain during pregnancy were risk factors for lamb mortality. Stillbirth was the most common cause of mortality for lambs born to ewe hoggets, and the risk factors for stillbirth were similar to those for overall lamb mortality. Different causes of mortality were observed between lambs born to ewe hoggets and those born to mature-age ewes.
Article
Physiology
Amy L. Wooldridge, Robert J. Bischof, Hong Liu, Gary K. Heinemann, Damien S. Hunter, Lynne C. Giles, Rebecca A. Simmons, Yu-Chin Lien, Wenyun Lu, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Karen L. Kind, Julie A. Owens, Vicki L. Clifton, Kathryn L. Gatford
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Timothy Hugh Barker, Karen Lee Kind, Peta Danielle Groves, Gordon Stanley Howarth, Alexandra Louise Whittaker
BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES
(2018)
Article
Physiology
Dane M. Horton, David A. Saint, Kathryn L. Gatford, Karen L. Kind, Julie A. Owens
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Reproductive Biology
Megan Lim, Hannah M. Brown, Karen L. Kind, Jeremy G. Thompson, Kylie R. Dunning
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2019)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
T. L. Nowland, K. Kind, M. L. Hebart, W. H. E. J. van Wettere
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jamee Daly, Hayley Smith, Hayley A. McGrice, Karen L. Kind, William H. E. J. van Wettere
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Megan Tscharke, Karen Kind, Jennifer Kelly, Dave Kleemann, Jose Len
JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tom Flinn, Jessica R. Gunn, Karen L. Kind, Alyce M. Swinbourne, Alice C. Weaver, Jennifer M. Kelly, Simon K. Walker, Kathryn L. Gatford, William H. E. J. van Wettere, David O. Kleemann
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2020)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alyce M. Swinbourne, Karen L. Kind, Tom Flinn, David O. Kleemann, William H. E. J. van Wettere
Summary: Caffeine has potential benefits in treating infant injuries and animal production, particularly in improving respiratory function and providing neuroprotection. However, attention should be paid to details such as dosage, duration, and administration pathway to increase production efficiency and reduce mortality rates.
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
William H. E. J. van Wettere, Karen L. Kind, Kathryn L. Gatford, Alyce M. Swinbourne, Stephan T. Leu, Peter T. Hayman, Jennifer M. Kelly, Alice C. Weaver, David O. Kleemann, Simon K. Walker
Summary: Heat stress significantly impairs reproduction of sheep, with the most destructive effects occurring 5 days before to 5 days after oestrus for ewes and 14-50 days post-mating for rams. Elevated temperatures during pregnancy also reduce lamb birthweight and survival, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to mitigate these impacts in extensively grazed sheep.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Annie Whitty, Karen L. Kind, Kylie R. Dunning, Jeremy G. Thompson
Summary: This study found that under low oxygen conditions (7%), oocyte developmental competence is negatively impacted when glucose availability is limited. However, under low oxygen with high glucose concentration or adequate availability, developmental rates can be restored to levels seen in 20% oxygen groups. This highlights the importance of considering glucose concentration and physical culture conditions when comparing the effects of different oxygen concentrations during in vitro maturation.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tom Flinn, David O. Kleemann, Alyce M. Swinbourne, Jennifer M. Kelly, Alice C. Weaver, Simon K. Walker, Kathryn L. Gatford, Karen L. Kind, William H. E. J. van Wettere
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hayley McGrice, Jennifer M. Kelly, David O. Kleemann, Karen L. Kind, Alissa J. Hampton, Patrick Hannemann, Simon K. Walker, William H. E. J. van Wettere
REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
Article
Developmental Biology
M. Lim, H. M. Brown, K. L. Kind, J. Breen, M. R. Anastasi, L. J. Ritter, E. K. Tregoweth, D. T. Dinh, J. G. Thompson, K. R. Dunning
REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
(2019)