From birth to colostrum: Early steps leading to lamb survival

Reproduction Nutrition Development

Volumn 46, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 431-446

  Nowak, Raymond ^a   Poindron, Pascal ^a  

^a UMR85 PHYSIOLOGIE DE LA REPRODUCTION ET DES COMPORTEMENTS   (France)

Author keywords

Bonding; Colostrums; Energy reserve; Ewe; Lamb; Maternal behaviour; Nutrition; Suckling; Survival

Indexed keywords

IMMUNOGLOBULIN;

ADAPTATION; BIRTH; BIRTH WEIGHT; BREAST FEEDING; CHILD PARENT RELATION; CHILDBIRTH; COLOSTRUM; CONFERENCE PAPER; IMMUNITY; LAMB; LITTER SIZE; MATERNAL ATTITUDE; NEWBORN DEATH; NEWBORN MORTALITY; NONHUMAN; SUCKLING; SURVIVAL;

ANIMAL NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY; ANIMALS; ANIMALS, NEWBORN; ANIMALS, SUCKLING; BEHAVIOR, ANIMAL; BIRTH WEIGHT; COLOSTRUM; FEMALE; LITTER SIZE; MATERNAL BEHAVIOR; SHEEP; SURVIVAL RATE;

OVIS; OVIS ARIES;

EID: 33748270859     PISSN: 09265287     EISSN: 12979708     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2006023     Document Type: Conference Paper

References (114)

1. Mellor DJ. Integration of perinatal events, pathophysiological changes and consequences for the newborn lamb. Br Vet J 1988, 144: 552-569.
2. Nowak R, Porter RH, Levy F, Orgeur P, Schaal B. Role of mother-young interactions in the survival of offspring in domestic mammals. Rev Reprod 2000, 5: 153-163.
3. Watson RH. Observed levels of mortality in relation to lambing and early stages of growth of sheep in Australia. World Rev Anim Prod 1972, 8: 104-113.
4. Alexander G. Constraints to lamb survival. In: Lindsay DR, Pearce DT (Eds), Reproduction in sheep. Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, Australian Wool Corporation, 1984, p 199-208.
5. Alexander G. What makes a good mother? Components and comparative aspects of maternal behaviour in ungulates. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1988, 17: 25-41.
6. Eales FA, Small J, Gilmour JS. Neonatal mortality of lambs and its causes. In: Haresign W (Ed), Sheep Production, London: Butterworths, 1983.
7. Alexander G. Temperature regulation in the newborn lamb. V. Summit metabolism. Aust J Agric Res 1962, 13: 144-164.
8. Alexander G, Williams D. Shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis during summit metabolism in young lambs. J Physiol (Lond) 1968, 198: 251-276.
9. Alexander G. Birth weight of lambs: influences and consequences. In: Elliot K, Knight J (Eds), Size at birth, Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1974.
10. Sykes AR. The shelter requirements of the newborn lamb. Proc NZ Soc Anim Prod 1982, 42: 7-11.
11. Obst JM, Day HR. The effect of inclement weather on mortality of Merino and Corriedale lambs on Kangaroo Island. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1968, 7: 239-242.
12. Obst JM, Ellis JN. Weather, ewe behaviour and lamb mortality. Agric Rec 1977, 4: 44-49.
13. Alexander G, Lynch JJ, Mottershead BE, Donnelly JB. Reduction in lamb mortality by means of grass wind-breaks: results of a five-year study. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1980, 13: 329-332.
14. Lynch JJ, Mottershead BE, Alexander G. Sheltering behaviour and lamb mortality amongst shorn Merino ewes lambing in paddocks with restricted area of shelter or no shelter. Appl Anim Ethol 1980, 6: 163-174.
15. Egan JK, McLaughlin JW, Thompson RL, McIntyre JS. The importance of shelter in reducing neonatal lamb deaths. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 1972, 12: 470-472.
16. Sykes AR, Griffiths RG, Slee J. Influence of breed, birth weight and weather on the body temperature of newborn lambs. Anim Prod 1976, 22: 395-402.
17. Levieux D. Transmission de l'immunité passive colostrale : le point des connaissances. In: Jarrige R (Ed), Physiologie et Pathologie Périnatales chez les Animaux de Ferme, Paris, INRA, 1982, p 345-369.
18. Hadjipanayiotou M. Composition of ewe, goat and cow milk and of colostrum of ewes and goats. Small Rum Res 1995, 18: 255-262.
19. McGance I, Alexander G. The onset of lactation in the Merino ewes and its modification by nutritional factors. Aust J Agric Res 1959, 10: 699-719.
20. Eales FA, Small J. Effects of colostrum on summit metabolic rate in Scottish blackface lambs at five hours old. Res Vet Sci 1981, 30: 266-269.
21. Alexander G, Lloyd DH. Relationship of milk production to number of lambs born or suckled. Aust J Agric Res 1959, 10: 721-724.
22. McNeill D, Murphy PM, Purvis IW. Lactogenesis and colostrum production in ewes. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1988, 17: 437.
23. Hall DG, Egan AR, Foot ZJ, Parr RA. Effect of litter size on colostrum production in crossbred ewes. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1990, 18: 240-243.
24. Murphy PM, Lindsay DR, Purvis IW. The importance of the birth site on the survival of Merino lambs. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1994, 20: 251-254.
25. Hall DG, Piper LR, Egan AR, Bindon BM. Lamb and milk production from Booroola ewes supplemented in late pregnancy. Aus J Exp Agric 1992, 32: 587-593.
26. Hall DG, Holst PJ, Shutt DA. The effects of nutritional supplements in late pregnancy on ewe colostrum production, plasma progesterone and IGF-1 concentrations. Aus J Exp Agric 1992, 43: 325-337.
27. Shubber AH, Doxey DL. Colostrum production by ewes and the amounts ingested by lambs. Res Vet Sci 1979, 27: 280-282.
28. Shubber AH, Doxey DL, Black WJ, FitzSimons J. Immunoglobulin levels in ewe colostrum and in lamb serum. Res Vet Sci 1979, 27: 283-285.
29. Sawyer M, Willadsen CH, Osburn BI, McGuire TC. Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins from ewe to lamb and its influence on neonatal lamb mortality. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1977, 171: 1255-1259.
30. Hight GK, Jury KE. Hill country sheep production. II. Lamb mortality and birth weights in Romney and Border Leicester × Romney flocks. NZ J Agric Res 1970, 13: 735-752.
31. Purser AF, Young GB. Mortality among twin and single lambs. Anim Prod 1964, 6: 321-329.
32. Stevens D, Alexander G, Lynch JJ. Lamb mortality due to inadequate care of twins by Merino ewes. Appl Anim Ethol 1982, 8: 243-252.
33. Alexander G, Stevens D, Kilgour R, de Langen H, Mottershead BE, Lynch JJ. Separation of ewes from twin lambs: incidence in several sheep breeds. Appl Anim Ethol 1983, 10: 301-317.
34. Alexander G. The behaviour of newly born lambs. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1958, 2: 123-125.
35. Alexander G. Lamb survival: physiological considerations. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1964, 5: 113-122.
36. Alexander G, Williams D. Teat-seeking activity in lambs during the first hours of life. Anim Behav 1966, 14: 166-176.
37. Gonyou HW, Stookey JM. Behavior of parturient ewes in group-lambing pens with and without cubicles. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1985, 14: 163-171.
38. Gonyou HW, Stookey JM. Use of lambing cubicles and the behavior of ewes at parturition. J Anim Sci 1983, 56: 787-791.
39. Lécrivain E, Janeau G. Comportement d'isolement et de recherche d'abri de brebis agnelant en plein air dans un système d'élevage à caractère extensif. Biol Behav 1987, 12: 127-148.
40. Stevens D, Alexander G, Lynch JJ. Do Merino ewes seek isolation or shelter at lambing? Appl Anim Ethol 1981, 7: 149-155.
41. Poindron P, Soto R, Romeyer A. Decrease of response to social separation in preparturient ewes. Behav Proc 1997, 40: 45-51.
42. Welch RA, Kilgour R. Mis-mothering among Romney. NZ J Agric 1970, 25: 771-776.
43. Arnold GW, Morgan PD. Behaviour of the ewe and lamb at lambing and its relation to lamb mortality. Appl Anim Ethol 1975, 2: 25-46.
44. Alexander G, Stevens D, Bradley LR. Distribution of field birth-sites of lambing ewes. Aust J Exp Agric 1990, 30: 759-767.
45. Lynch JJ, Alexander G. Sheltering behaviour of lambing Merino sheep in relation to grass hedges and artificial windbreaks. Aust J Agric Res 1977, 28: 691-701.
46. Poindron P, Le Neindre P. Endocrine and sensory regulation of the maternal behavior in the ewe. Adv Study Behav 1980, 11: 75-119.
47. Poindron P, Raksanyi I, Orgeur P, Le Neindre P. Comparaison du comportement maternel en bergerie à la parturition chez des brebis primipares ou multipares de race Romanov, Préalpes de Sud et Île-de-France. Gén Sélect Evol 1984, 16: 503-522.
48. O'Connor CE, Lawrence AB, Wood-Gush DGM. Influence of litter size and parity on maternal behaviour at parturition on Scottish Blackface sheep. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1992, 33: 345-355.
49. Owens JL, Bindon BM, Edey TN, Piper LR. Behaviour at parturition and lamb survival of Booroola Merino sheep. Livest Prod Sci 1985, 13: 359-372.
50. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB. Variability in the expression of maternal behaviour in primiparous sheep: effects of genotype and litter size. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1998, 58: 311-330.
51. Dwyer CM, McLean KA, Deans LA, Chirnside J, Calvert SK, Lawrence AB. Vocalisations between mother and young in sheep: effects of breed and maternal experience. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1998, 58: 105-119.
52. Shillito EE, Hoyland VJ. Observation on parturition and maternal care in Soay sheep. J Zool 1971, 165: 509-512.
53. Levy F, Kendrick K, Keverne EB, Porter RH, Romeyer A. Physiological, sensory and experiential factors of parental care in sheep. Adv Study Behav 1996, 25: 385-473.
54. Poindron P, Nowak R, Levy F, Porter RH, Schaal B. Development of exclusive mother-young bonding in sheep and goats. Oxf Rev Reprod Biol 1993, 15: 311-364.
55. Keller M, Meurisse M, Poindron P, Nowak R, Shayit M, Ferreira G, Levy F. Maternal experience influences the establishment of visual/auditory, but not of olfactory recognition of the newborn baby lamb by ewes at parturition. Dev Psychobiol 2003, 43: 167-176.
56. Poindron P, Keller M, Levy F. Maternal responsiveness and maternal selectivity in domestic sheep and goats: the two facets of maternal attachment. Dev Psychobiol 2006, (in press).
57. Stevens D, Alexander G, Mottershead BE, Lynch JJ. Role of the lambs in post-partum separation of ewes from twin lambs. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1984, 15: 751.
58. Nowak R, Lindsay DR. Discrimination of Merino ewes by their newborn lambs: important for survival? Appl Anim Behav Sci 1992, 34: 61-74.
59. Putu IG, Poindron P, Lindsay DR. Early disturbance of Merino ewes from the birth site increases lamb separations and mortality. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1988, 17: 298-301.
60. Morgan PD, Arnold GW, Charlick AJ. The response of newly lambed ewes to handling of their lambs. J Aust Inst Agric Sci 1974, June: 149-150.
61. Putu IG, Poindron P, Lindsay DR. A high level of nutrition during late pregnancy improves subsequent maternal behaviour of Merino ewes. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1988, 17: 294-297.
62. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB. Maternal behaviour in domestic sheep (Ovis aries): constancy and change with maternal experience. Behaviour 2000, 137: 1391-1413.
63. Lagercrantz H, Slotkin TA. The "stress" of being born. Sci Am 1986, 254: 100-107.
64. Vince MA. Newborn lambs and their dams: the interaction that leads to sucking. Adv Study Behav 1993, 22: 239-268.
65. Vince MA, Ward TM. The responsiveness of newly born Clun Forest lambs to odour sources in the ewe. Behaviour 1984, 89: 117-127.
66. Schaal B, Orgeur P, Arnould C. Olfactory preferences in newborn lambs: Possible influences of prenatal experience. Behaviour 1995, 132: 351-365.
67. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB. Does the behaviour of the neonate influence the expression of maternal behaviour in sheep. Behaviour 1999, 136: 367-389.
68. Slee J, Springbett A. Early post-natal behaviour in lambs of ten breeds. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1986, 15: 229-240.
69. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB, Brown HE. Simm G. Effect of ewe and lamb genotype on gestation length, lambing ease and neonatal behaviour of lambs. Reprod Fertil Dev 1996, 8: 1123-1129.
70. Val-Laillet D, Nowak R. Socio-spatial criteria are important for the establishment of maternal preference in lambs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2006, 96: 269-286.
71. Nowak R, Lindsay DR. Effect of genotype and litter size on discrimination of mothers by their twelve-hour-old lambs. Behaviour 1990, 115: 1-13.
72. Nowak R, Poindron P, Putu IG. Development of mother discrimination by single and multiple newborn lambs. Dev Psychobiol 1989, 22: 833-845.
73. Nowak R. Mother and sibling discrimination at a distance by three- to seven-day-old lambs. Dev Psychobiol 1990, 23: 285-295.
74. Nowak R, Murphy TM, Lindsay DR, Alster P, Andersson R, Uvnas-Moberg K. Development of a preferential relationship with the mother by the newborn lamb: importance of the sucking activity. Physiol Behav 1997, 62: 681-688.
75. Val-Laillet D, Simon M, Nowak R. A full belly and colostrum: two major determinants of filial love. Dev Psychobiol 2004, 45: 163-173.
76. Nowak R, Boivin X. De la relation mère-jeune à la relation homme-animal: l'exemple de l'agneau. In: Baudoin C (Ed), L'Éthologie Appliquée Aujourd'hui, Vol I: Bien-Être, Élevages et Expérimentation. Paris: Editions ED, 2002, p 127-35.
77. Napolitano F, Annicchiarico G, Caroprese M, De Rosa G, Taibi L, Sevi A. Lambs prevented from suckling their mothers display behavioral, immune and endocrine disturbances. Physiol Behav 2003, 78: 81-89.
78. Goursaud AP, Nowak R. Colostrum mediates the development of mother preference by newborn lambs. Physiol Behav 1999, 67: 49-56.
79. Nowak R, Goursaud AP, Orgeur P, Levy F, Boivin X, Uvnas-Moberg K. Development of mother preference by newborn lambs: colostral factors and CCK. Physiol Behav, (submitted).
80. Val-Laillet D, Giraud S, Tallet C, Boivin X, Nowak R. Non nutritive sucking: one of the major determinants of filial love. Dev Psychobiol 2006, 48: 220-232.
81. Alexander G, Lynch JJ. Phalaris windbreaks for shorn and fleeced lambing ewes. Proc Aus Soc Anim Prod 1976, 11: 161-164.
82. Cloete SWP. Observations on litter size, parturition and maternal behaviour in relation to lamb mortality in fecund Dormer and South African Mutton Merino ewes. SA J Anim Sci 1992, 22: 214-221.
83. Murphy PM, Lindsay DR, Le Neindre P. Temperament of Merono ewes influences maternal behaviour and survival of lambs. Proc 32nd Cong Int Soc Appl Ethol 1998, 32: 131.
84. Lynch JJ, Leng RA, Hinch GN, Nolan J, Bindon BM, Piper LR. Effects of cotton-seed supplementation on birthweights and survival of lambs from a range of litter sizes. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1990, 18: 516.
85. Kelly RW, Speijer EJ, Ralph IG, Newnham JP. Lambing performances and wool production in maiden adult Merino ewes fed different amount of lupin seed in midpregnancy. Aust J Agric Res 1992, 43: 339-354.
86. Murphy PM, McNeill D, Fisher JS, Lindsay DR. Strategic feeding of Merino ewes in late pregnancy to increase colostrum production. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 1996, 21: 227-230.
87. Banchero GE, Quinans G, Martin GB, Lindsay DR, Milton JTB. Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 1. Metabolic and hormonal responses to high-energy supplement in the final stages of pregnancy. Reprod Fertil Dev 2004, 16: 633-643.
88. O'Doherty JV, Crosby TF. The effect of diet in late pregnancy on progesterone concentration and colostrum yield in ewes. Theriogenology 1996, 46: 233-241.
89. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB, Bishop SC, Lewis M. Ewe-lamb bonding behaviours at birth are affected by maternal undernutrition in pregnancy. Brit J Nutr 2003, 89: 123-136.
90. Shipka MP, Ford SP. Relationship of circulating oestrogen and progesterone concentrations during late pregnancy and the onset phase of maternal behaviour in the ewe. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1991, 31: 91-99.
91. Thomson AM, Thomson W. Lambing in relation to the diet of the pregnant ewe. Brit J Nutr 1949, 2: 290-305.
92. Whateley J, Kilgour R, Dalton DC. Behaviour of hill country sheep breeds during farming routines. Proc NZ Soc Anim Prod 1974, 34: 28-36.
93. Le Neindre P, Murphy T, Boissy A, Purvis IW, Lindsay DR, Orgeur P, Bouix J, Bibé B. Genetics of maternal ability in cattle and sheep. 6th World Cong Gen Appl Livest Prod 1998, 27: 23-30.
94. Alexander G, Stevens D, Bradley LR, Barwick SA. Maternal behaviour in Border-Leicester, Glen Vale (Border Leicester derived) and Merino sheep. Aust J Exp Agric 1990, 30: 27-38.
95. Cloete SWP, Scholtz AJ. Lamb survival in relation to lambing and neonatal behaviour in medium wool Merino lines divergently selected for multiple rearing ability. Aust J Exp Agric 1998, 38: 801-811.
96. Haughey KG. Perinatal lamb mortality - Its investigation, causes and control. Irish Vet J 1993, 46: 9-28.
97. Haughey KG. The effect of birth injury to the foetal nervous system on the survival and feeding behaviour of lambs. In: Wodzicka-Tomasczewska M, Edey TN, Lynch JJ (Eds), Reviews in Rural Science, Vol 4, Armidale: University of New England, 1980, p 109-111.
98. Dwyer CM. Behavioural development in the neonatal lamb: effect of maternal and birth-related factors. Theriogenology 2003, 59: 1027-1050.
99. Knight TW, Lynch PR, Hall DRH, Hockey HUP. Identification of factors contributing to the improved lamb survival in Marshall Romney sheep. NZ J Agric Res 1988, 31: 259-271.
100. O'Connor CE, Jay NP, Nicol AM, Beatson PR. Ewe maternal behaviour score and lamb survival. Proc NZ Soc Anim Prod 1985, 45: 159-162.
101. Lambe NR, Conington J, Bishop SC, Waterhouse A, Simm G. A genetic analysis of maternal behaviour score in Scottish Blackface sheep. Anim Sci 2001, 72: 415-425.
102. Kilgour RJ, Szantar-Coddington MR. Arena behaviour of ewes selected for superior mothering ability differs from that of unselected ewes. Anim Reprod Sci 1995, 37: 133-142.
103. Kuchel RC, Lindsay DR. Maternal behaviour and the survival of lambs in superfine wool sheep. Reprod Fertil Dev 2000, 11: 391-394.
104. Dwyer CM, Lawrence AB, Bishop SC. The effects of selection for lean tissue content on maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours in Scottish Blackface sheep. Anim Sci 2001, 72: 555-571.
105. Cloete SWP, Scholtz AJ, Gilmour AR. Olivier JJ. Genetic and environmental effects on lambing and neonatal behaviour of Dormer and SA Mutton Merino lambs. Livest Prod Sci 2002, 78: 183-193.
106. Atkins KD. The comparative productivity of five ewe breeds. I. Lamb growth and survival. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 1980, 20: 272-279.
107. Kilgour R, De Langen H. Neonatal behaviour in "easy care" sheep. Rev Rural Sci 1980, 4: 117-118.
108. Kelly RW. Lamb mortality and growth to weaning in commercial Merino flocks in Western Australia. Aust J Agric Res 1992, 43: 339-354.
109. Banchero GE, Quinans G, Martin GB, Milton JTB, Lindsay DR. Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy. Reprod Fertil Dev 2004, 16: 645-653.
110. Miller BV. Pregnacy and lambing. In: Cottle DJ (Ed), Australian Sheep and Wool Handbook, Melbourne, Inkata Press, 1991.
111. Nowak R, Poindron P, Le Neindre P, Putu IG. Ability of 12-hour-old Merino and crossbred lambs to recognise their mothers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1987, 17: 263-271.
112. Shillito EE, Alexander G. Mutual recognition amongst ewes and lambs of four breeds of sheep (Ovis aries). Appl Anim Ethol 1975, 1: 151-165.
113. Nowak R. Lamb's bleats: important for the establishment of the mother-young bond? Behaviour 1990, 115: 14-29.
114. Nowak R, Poindron P, Sebe F, Hart KW, Chadwick A, Blache D. Divergent selection on temperament affect vocal and locomotor activity in isolated lambs. Proc Aust Soc Anim Prod 2006, (in press).