Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107694
Juliana Massitel Curti , Caroline Ambiel Barros Gil Duarte , Caroline Gonzatto Fracasso , Stefany Lia Oliveira Camilo , Maria Antonia de Campos Tornich , Lais Sodré Santana Alves , Gabriela Fernanda Vitoretti Machado , Priscilla Fajardo Valente Pereira , Karina Keller Marques da Costa Flaiban
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is fundamental in diagnosing neurological diseases, with lactate described as a relevant biomarker in humans, dogs, and cattle, but little explored in small ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate physicochemical and cytological stability of CSF from healthy goats and sheep, and agreement between a portable lactometer (PL) and an automated biochemical analyzer (ABA) for lactate measurement. CSF samples were collected from ten goats and ten sheep by atlanto-occipital puncture, and stored refrigerated (4°C) for analysis at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h, and frozen (-20°C) for analysis at three, six, and 12 months. Refrigerated samples underwent physicochemical and cytological evaluations, while frozen samples were assessed for electrolytes and lactate using PL and ABA. CSF remained stable for specific gravity, glucose, proteins, and total nucleated cell for up to 72 h (4°C). Electrolyte concentrations varied without clinical relevance, allowing analysis for up to 12 months (-20°C). Lactate measured by PL varied, whereas ABA remained stable in both species. No agreement was observed between PL and ABA in goats and in frozen sheep samples. Physicochemical parameters in CSF from healthy goats and sheep can be analyzed for up to 72 h (4°C) and electrolytes for up to 12 months (-20°C), allowing safe transport to the laboratory. PL can be used in field situations to measure lactate (except in frozen goat samples), but ABA provided greater reliability. Lactate emerges as a promising biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders in small ruminants.
{"title":"Physicochemical and cytological stability of cerebrospinal fluid in small ruminants and agreement between methods for lactate measurement","authors":"Juliana Massitel Curti , Caroline Ambiel Barros Gil Duarte , Caroline Gonzatto Fracasso , Stefany Lia Oliveira Camilo , Maria Antonia de Campos Tornich , Lais Sodré Santana Alves , Gabriela Fernanda Vitoretti Machado , Priscilla Fajardo Valente Pereira , Karina Keller Marques da Costa Flaiban","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is fundamental in diagnosing neurological diseases, with lactate described as a relevant biomarker in humans, dogs, and cattle, but little explored in small ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate physicochemical and cytological stability of CSF from healthy goats and sheep, and agreement between a portable lactometer (PL) and an automated biochemical analyzer (ABA) for lactate measurement. CSF samples were collected from ten goats and ten sheep by atlanto-occipital puncture, and stored refrigerated (4°C) for analysis at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h, and frozen (-20°C) for analysis at three, six, and 12 months. Refrigerated samples underwent physicochemical and cytological evaluations, while frozen samples were assessed for electrolytes and lactate using PL and ABA. CSF remained stable for specific gravity, glucose, proteins, and total nucleated cell for up to 72 h (4°C). Electrolyte concentrations varied without clinical relevance, allowing analysis for up to 12 months (-20°C). Lactate measured by PL varied, whereas ABA remained stable in both species. No agreement was observed between PL and ABA in goats and in frozen sheep samples. Physicochemical parameters in CSF from healthy goats and sheep can be analyzed for up to 72 h (4°C) and electrolytes for up to 12 months (-20°C), allowing safe transport to the laboratory. PL can be used in field situations to measure lactate (except in frozen goat samples), but ABA provided greater reliability. Lactate emerges as a promising biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders in small ruminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 107694"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145886002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107693
Ebadu Areb , Luqi Wang , Qihui Zhu , Lingyuan Ma , Yangyang Bai , Kassahun Bekana , Xiaolei Chen , Chunzhi Wang , Xianyong Lan , Chuanying Pan
The PRDM2 (PR/SET domain 2) gene plays a role in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, nucleic acid template transcription, and in developmental and biosynthetic pathways. This study aimed to evaluate mRNA expression across tissues, genetic variability, and association between the 11-bp insertion (ins) at intron 7 of the goat PRDM2 gene and firstborn litter size. PRDM2 mRNA expression was examined in eight tissues collected from dams of Shaanbei White Cashmere (SBWC) goats. We then evaluated a novel mutation of 11-bp-ins using 1002 firstborn female SBWC goats. The results indicated that PRDM2 mRNA was expressed in all examined tissues, and genetic variation was observed. Litter size was associated with the novel 11-bp-ins genotype. Dams with the II genotype had 2.7 times higher odds of having multiple births than those with the DD genotype. Additionally, five more transcription factor binding sites were predicted from the II sequence, which may have a positive effect on litter size. Furthermore, the Cashmere goat population exerted strong selection pressure on the 11-bp-ins genomic region of the PRDM2 gene. In summary, the findings of this study suggest that PRDM2 is an important candidate gene influencing litter size in goats and may serve as a potential genetic marker for use in breeding programs.
{"title":"A genetic variant of the goat PRDM2 gene and its effect on litter size","authors":"Ebadu Areb , Luqi Wang , Qihui Zhu , Lingyuan Ma , Yangyang Bai , Kassahun Bekana , Xiaolei Chen , Chunzhi Wang , Xianyong Lan , Chuanying Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>PRDM2</em> (PR/SET domain 2) gene plays a role in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, nucleic acid template transcription, and in developmental and biosynthetic pathways. This study aimed to evaluate mRNA expression across tissues, genetic variability, and association between the 11-bp insertion (ins) at intron 7 of the goat <em>PRDM2</em> gene and firstborn litter size. <em>PRDM2</em> mRNA expression was examined in eight tissues collected from dams of Shaanbei White Cashmere (SBWC) goats. We then evaluated a novel mutation of 11-bp-ins using 1002 firstborn female SBWC goats. The results indicated that <em>PRDM2</em> mRNA was expressed in all examined tissues, and genetic variation was observed. Litter size was associated with the novel 11-bp-ins genotype. Dams with the II genotype had 2.7 times higher odds of having multiple births than those with the DD genotype. Additionally, five more transcription factor binding sites were predicted from the II sequence, which may have a positive effect on litter size. Furthermore, the Cashmere goat population exerted strong selection pressure on the 11-bp-ins genomic region of the <em>PRDM2</em> gene. In summary, the findings of this study suggest that <em>PRDM2</em> is an important candidate gene influencing litter size in goats and may serve as a potential genetic marker for use in breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 107693"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145886000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107692
Jia Hao , Si Ouyang , Yubing Wang , Lei Cheng , Dayong Chen , Chunjuan Qiu , Riga Wu , Yongji Xie , Jianhui Tian , Lei An , Guangyin Xi
This study aims to investigate the effect of cyclic guanosine-3’,5’-monophosphate (cGMP) on ovine embryo development, thereby providing new strategies to improve the efficiency of in vitro embryo production (IVP). Following in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of ovine oocytes derived from abattoir, the presumptive zygotes were treated with different concentrations of cGMP. In order to explore the effect of cGMP on the developmental competence of embryos derived from ovum pick-up (OPU)-oocytes, the presumptive zygotes were cultured with cGMP after IVF. The cleavage rate and blastocyst rate were recorded at 24 h and on day 7 after IVF. On day 7, the blastocysts derived from slaughterhouse oocytes were collected to assess mRNA expression of development- and apoptosis-related genes. Additionally, the blastocyst quality, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism of blastocysts were evaluated. The results showed that cGMP significantly increased cleavage rate and blastocyst rate, with an increase in total cell number and ICM. The expression of pluripotency-related gene (NANOG) was upregulated and apoptosis-related gene (CASPASE3) was downregulated after cGMP treatment. The administration of cGMP resulted in decreased lipid content and fatty acid levels, along with a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels were elevated after cGMP treatment. Furthermore, cGMP also increased blastocyst rate of IVF embryos from ovine oocytes collected via OPU. These results demonstrate that cGMP can improve embryo developmental competence by enhancing lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress.
{"title":"Supplementation of cGMP during in vitro culture enhances the developmental competence of sheep embryos","authors":"Jia Hao , Si Ouyang , Yubing Wang , Lei Cheng , Dayong Chen , Chunjuan Qiu , Riga Wu , Yongji Xie , Jianhui Tian , Lei An , Guangyin Xi","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to investigate the effect of cyclic guanosine-3’,5’-monophosphate (cGMP) on ovine embryo development, thereby providing new strategies to improve the efficiency of <em>in vitro</em> embryo production (IVP). Following <em>in vitro</em> maturation (IVM) and <em>in vitro</em> fertilization (IVF) of ovine oocytes derived from abattoir, the presumptive zygotes were treated with different concentrations of cGMP. In order to explore the effect of cGMP on the developmental competence of embryos derived from ovum pick-up (OPU)-oocytes, the presumptive zygotes were cultured with cGMP after IVF. The cleavage rate and blastocyst rate were recorded at 24 h and on day 7 after IVF. On day 7, the blastocysts derived from slaughterhouse oocytes were collected to assess mRNA expression of development- and apoptosis-related genes. Additionally, the blastocyst quality, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism of blastocysts were evaluated. The results showed that cGMP significantly increased cleavage rate and blastocyst rate, with an increase in total cell number and ICM. The expression of pluripotency-related gene (<em>NANOG</em>) was upregulated and apoptosis-related gene (<em>CASPASE3</em>) was downregulated after cGMP treatment. The administration of cGMP resulted in decreased lipid content and fatty acid levels, along with a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels were elevated after cGMP treatment. Furthermore, cGMP also increased blastocyst rate of IVF embryos from ovine oocytes collected via OPU. These results demonstrate that cGMP can improve embryo developmental competence by enhancing lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 107692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145886003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107689
Caio Cesar Carneiro dos Santos , Darlan Silva dos Santos , Kaique Renan da Silva Salvador , Yasmin dos Santos Silva , Silas Boaventura Felix , Thayane Vitória Monteiro Santos , Milena Nóbrega Rabelo , Michelle Christina Bernardo de Siqueira , José Augusto Bastos Afonso da Silva , Francisco Fernando Ramos de Carvalho , João Paulo Ismério dos Santos Monnerat , Marcelo de Andrade Ferreira
The objective of this study was to see how replacing corn silage with cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw), sugarcane bagasse, and urea affect dry matter intake, digestibility, eating behavior, and rumen activity in sheep, while keeping the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels the same. Five different replacement levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) were tested using five Santa Inês sheep males fitted with rumen fistulas (body weight 37.5 ± 5.57 kg), in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) intake, NDF corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) intake, and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake decreased linearly with the replacement level (P < 0.03, P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively), while intake of undigestible NDF (iNDF) increased linearly (P < 0.04). Apparent digestibility of diet DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF also showed a linear decline (P < 0.01 for all variables). There was a linear increase in the ruminal pool of iNDF (P < 0.01) and the retention time of NDFap (Rt) (P < 0.01). Conversely, the ruminal pool of potentially degradable NDF (pdNDF), as well as NDFap passage (kp) and degradation (kd) rates, decreased (P < 0.01 for all variables). Replacement of corn silage with the mixture cactus, sugarcane bagasse and urea did not affect feeding efficiency for DM and NDFap; however, rumination efficiency for both DM and NDFap declined (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). It is concluded that the combination of cactus cladodes, sugarcane bagasse, and urea had not adequately replaced corn silage, as it reduced the passage rates and degradation of NDFap in the rumen, increasing retention time and consequently reducing nutrient consumption. It is recommended to consider not only total NDF content when formulating diets for sheep but also the levels of iNDF and pdNDF.
{"title":"Neutral detergent fiber as a limiting factor in replacing corn silage with cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw) plus sugarcane bagasse and urea","authors":"Caio Cesar Carneiro dos Santos , Darlan Silva dos Santos , Kaique Renan da Silva Salvador , Yasmin dos Santos Silva , Silas Boaventura Felix , Thayane Vitória Monteiro Santos , Milena Nóbrega Rabelo , Michelle Christina Bernardo de Siqueira , José Augusto Bastos Afonso da Silva , Francisco Fernando Ramos de Carvalho , João Paulo Ismério dos Santos Monnerat , Marcelo de Andrade Ferreira","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107689","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107689","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to see how replacing corn silage with cactus cladodes (<em>Opuntia stricta</em> (Haw.) Haw), sugarcane bagasse, and urea affect dry matter intake, digestibility, eating behavior, and rumen activity in sheep, while keeping the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels the same. Five different replacement levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) were tested using five Santa Inês sheep males fitted with rumen fistulas (body weight 37.5 ± 5.57 kg), in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) intake, NDF corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) intake, and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake decreased linearly with the replacement level (P < 0.03, P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively), while intake of undigestible NDF (iNDF) increased linearly (P < 0.04). Apparent digestibility of diet DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF also showed a linear decline (P < 0.01 for all variables). There was a linear increase in the ruminal pool of iNDF (P < 0.01) and the retention time of NDFap (Rt) (P < 0.01). Conversely, the ruminal pool of potentially degradable NDF (pdNDF), as well as NDFap passage (kp) and degradation (kd) rates, decreased (P < 0.01 for all variables). Replacement of corn silage with the mixture cactus, sugarcane bagasse and urea did not affect feeding efficiency for DM and NDFap; however, rumination efficiency for both DM and NDFap declined (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). It is concluded that the combination of cactus cladodes, sugarcane bagasse, and urea had not adequately replaced corn silage, as it reduced the passage rates and degradation of NDFap in the rumen, increasing retention time and consequently reducing nutrient consumption. It is recommended to consider not only total NDF content when formulating diets for sheep but also the levels of iNDF and pdNDF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 107689"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107691
Sergio da Silva Fidelis , Gustavo André Bernado Moura , Sheila Tavares Nascimento , Alex Sandro Campos Maia , Shane K. Maloney , Vinicius de França Carvalho Fonsêca
The field of animal agrivoltaics investigates the use of solar panels as a shading resource for production animals. The field integrates the production of animal protein with an abatement of heat stress, providing better sustainability in a given area. The present study investigated the impact of animal agrivoltaics on heat strain indicators and performance of feedlot sheep. Fifty-two non-castrated crossbred lambs (F1, Santa Inês × Dorper) entered the feedlot with an initial body mass of 35 kg (SD = 0.4) and were fed for 60 days. Half of the lambs were assigned to pens that had shade provided by 20 modules of solar panels (VOLT; area of shade projected = 1.53 m2 animal−1), while the other half were assigned to a conventional feedlot system (CON), with no shade available. We assessed subcutaneous temperature, respiratory rate, and behavioral responses as indicators of thermal strain. Individual feed intake and sheep performance was measured using RFID electronic feeders (e.g., dry matter intake, daily weight gain (kg) and gain/feed ratio) and were compared between treatments. The heat load experienced by sheep was summarized into a single variable that integrated six meteorological variables. The lambs were exposed to 41 hot days. On those hot days, from 10:00–14:00 h, the VOLT lambs were more likely (P = 0.0001) to be in the shade projected by solar panels than in the sun, and the VOLT lambs had subcutaneous temperature that was 0.70ºC (P = 0.0001) lower, and respiratory rate that was 70 resp min−1, lower than the CON lambs. The VOLT lambs spent more time lying (P = 0.0001), ruminating (P = 0.0001), and consumed less feed (P = 0.0001), than the CON lambs, which resulted in a 4 % improvement in the gain/feed ratio (P = 0.0002). During the 60 days of the trial the shading structure generated 2.3 MWh, and 13.70 MWh of electricity for the year, thereby preventing 7.2 tons of CO2e to be emitted to the atmosphere. Our results confirm that animal agrivoltaics can enhance the sustainable intensification of sheep production in tropical areas, as it effectively relieves heat stress, improves animal performance, and has environmental benefits.
{"title":"Animal agrivoltaics facilitates the sustainable intensification of sheep production in tropical areas","authors":"Sergio da Silva Fidelis , Gustavo André Bernado Moura , Sheila Tavares Nascimento , Alex Sandro Campos Maia , Shane K. Maloney , Vinicius de França Carvalho Fonsêca","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The field of animal agrivoltaics investigates the use of solar panels as a shading resource for production animals. The field integrates the production of animal protein with an abatement of heat stress, providing better sustainability in a given area. The present study investigated the impact of animal agrivoltaics on heat strain indicators and performance of feedlot sheep. Fifty-two non-castrated crossbred lambs (F<sub>1</sub>, Santa Inês × Dorper) entered the feedlot with an initial body mass of 35 kg (SD = 0.4) and were fed for 60 days. Half of the lambs were assigned to pens that had shade provided by 20 modules of solar panels (VOLT; area of shade projected = 1.53 m<sup>2</sup> animal<sup>−1</sup>), while the other half were assigned to a conventional feedlot system (CON), with no shade available. We assessed subcutaneous temperature, respiratory rate, and behavioral responses as indicators of thermal strain. Individual feed intake and sheep performance was measured using RFID electronic feeders (e.g., dry matter intake, daily weight gain (kg) and gain/feed ratio) and were compared between treatments. The heat load experienced by sheep was summarized into a single variable that integrated six meteorological variables. The lambs were exposed to 41 hot days. On those hot days, from 10:00–14:00 h, the VOLT lambs were more likely (P = 0.0001) to be in the shade projected by solar panels than in the sun, and the VOLT lambs had subcutaneous temperature that was 0.70ºC (P = 0.0001) lower, and respiratory rate that was 70 resp min<sup>−1</sup>, lower than the CON lambs. The VOLT lambs spent more time lying (P = 0.0001), ruminating (P = 0.0001), and consumed less feed (P = 0.0001), than the CON lambs, which resulted in a 4 % improvement in the gain/feed ratio (P = 0.0002). During the 60 days of the trial the shading structure generated 2.3 MWh, and 13.70 MWh of electricity for the year, thereby preventing 7.2 tons of CO<sub>2e</sub> to be emitted to the atmosphere. Our results confirm that animal agrivoltaics can enhance the sustainable intensification of sheep production in tropical areas, as it effectively relieves heat stress, improves animal performance, and has environmental benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 107691"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Genomic diversity of Indian goats offers insights into developing sustainable goat production systems. In this study, whole-genome sequences from 11 Indian goat breeds (n = 102), generated using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, were compared with publicly available data from 30 global breeds and five outgroup species (n = 101). Following quality control and alignment to the ARS1 reference genome, 21.44 billion high-quality reads were retained for downstream analyses. Sequencing achieved an average coverage of 99.2 %, with a duplication rate of 17.2 % and a mean sequencing depth of ∼9X. SNP discovery varied across breeds, with Kanni Adu (KAN) exhibiting the highest count (1.95 M) and Jharkhand Black (JB) the lowest (30.77 K). JB showed the highest average linkage disequilibrium (r² = 0.859), whereas Jakhrana (JAK) displayed the lowest (r² = 0.496). LD decay (r² < 0.2) typically occurred within 5 kb for most breeds, except JB, Sangamneri (SAN), and KAN. Nucleotide diversity was highest in Changthangi (CHA) and JAK (π = 0.379 and 0.363, respectively), while protein-coding nucleotide diversity (PN) was highest in KAN (0.340). Observed heterozygosity was greatest in CHA (Ho = 0.505), whereas JB exhibited the lowest (Ho = 0.119). Expected heterozygosity was highest in CHA (He = 0.378) and lowest in KAN (He = 0.249). Principal component analysis revealed clear clustering patterns among KAN, Tellicherry (T), SAN, and JB, and further confirmed the distinct separation of other Capra species from C. hircus. Indian goat breeds formed genetically distinct clusters from exotic breeds, with two Pakistani and one Bangladeshi breed grouping closely with them. Indian goats exhibited high within-breed diversity (>94 %). Selection signatures identified through DCMS highlighted shared genomic regions associated with fitness and survival. The combination of strong within-breed diversity, gene flow among indigenous populations, and common selection pressures/shared selection signatures contributes to their admixed genetic nature.
{"title":"Signatures of selection and genomic diversity in diverse Indian goat breeds: A whole genome perspective which suggests Co-evolution","authors":"Nandhini Palaniappan Balasubramaniam , Subrata Koloi , Sanjeev Singh , Avnish Kumar Bhatia , Satpal Dixit , Indrajit Ganguly","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genomic diversity of Indian goats offers insights into developing sustainable goat production systems. In this study, whole-genome sequences from 11 Indian goat breeds (n = 102), generated using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, were compared with publicly available data from 30 global breeds and five outgroup species (n = 101). Following quality control and alignment to the ARS1 reference genome, 21.44 billion high-quality reads were retained for downstream analyses. Sequencing achieved an average coverage of 99.2 %, with a duplication rate of 17.2 % and a mean sequencing depth of ∼9X. SNP discovery varied across breeds, with Kanni Adu (KAN) exhibiting the highest count (1.95 M) and Jharkhand Black (JB) the lowest (30.77 K). JB showed the highest average linkage disequilibrium (r² = 0.859), whereas Jakhrana (JAK) displayed the lowest (r² = 0.496). LD decay (r² < 0.2) typically occurred within 5 kb for most breeds, except JB, Sangamneri (SAN), and KAN. Nucleotide diversity was highest in Changthangi (CHA) and JAK (π = 0.379 and 0.363, respectively), while protein-coding nucleotide diversity (PN) was highest in KAN (0.340). Observed heterozygosity was greatest in CHA (Ho = 0.505), whereas JB exhibited the lowest (Ho = 0.119). Expected heterozygosity was highest in CHA (He = 0.378) and lowest in KAN (He = 0.249). Principal component analysis revealed clear clustering patterns among KAN, Tellicherry (T), SAN, and JB, and further confirmed the distinct separation of other Capra species from <em>C. hircus</em>. Indian goat breeds formed genetically distinct clusters from exotic breeds, with two Pakistani and one Bangladeshi breed grouping closely with them. Indian goats exhibited high within-breed diversity (>94 %). Selection signatures identified through DCMS highlighted shared genomic regions associated with fitness and survival. The combination of strong within-breed diversity, gene flow among indigenous populations, and common selection pressures/shared selection signatures contributes to their admixed genetic nature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 107690"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145886001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107688
Joseba Lizarralde , Nerea Mandaluniz , Alicia Prat-Benhamou , Daniel Martín-Collado , Paula Gaspar-García , Andrés Horrillo , Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón , Yolanda Mena , Roberto Ruiz , Bárbara Soriano
The increasing number of challenges faced by small ruminant farms underlines the relevance of studying their capacity to cope with such challenges, i.e. their resilience. Grounded on farmers' perceptions, the aim of this research is to identify the challenges threating the small ruminants farms and the attributes that make them resilient. The study is focused on the case study of the small ruminant farming system in Spain. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis is followed, based on structured and semi-structured interviews. The results show that the small ruminants farms are generally threatened by institutional challenges in the long term (e.g. policies, bureaucracy and control mechanisms). There are also farm-type-specific challenges such as the increasing input and energy prices, labour conflicts and sick leaves in the short term; and stable/falling production prices, high level of investment, low attractiveness of the sector, lack of labour and succession in the long term. The attributes that commonly foster the resilience of the small ruminant farms are the autonomy, functional diversity, knowledge and innovation, and economic and human capital. Finally, there are resilience attributes that are farm-type-specific, such as the infrastructure capital, being coupled with local and natural capital and the spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Therefore, when designing resilience-enabling policies, the diversity of small ruminant farms and the challenges they face, as well as the combination of common and farm-type-specific resilience attributes should be considered.
{"title":"Assessing resilience capacities of the Small Ruminant farms in Spain: A static approach thanks to field interviews","authors":"Joseba Lizarralde , Nerea Mandaluniz , Alicia Prat-Benhamou , Daniel Martín-Collado , Paula Gaspar-García , Andrés Horrillo , Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón , Yolanda Mena , Roberto Ruiz , Bárbara Soriano","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107688","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107688","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing number of challenges faced by small ruminant farms underlines the relevance of studying their capacity to cope with such challenges, i.e. their resilience. Grounded on farmers' perceptions, the aim of this research is to identify the challenges threating the small ruminants farms and the attributes that make them resilient. The study is focused on the case study of the small ruminant farming system in Spain. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis is followed, based on structured and semi-structured interviews. The results show that the small ruminants farms are generally threatened by institutional challenges in the long term (e.g. policies, bureaucracy and control mechanisms). There are also farm-type-specific challenges such as the increasing input and energy prices, labour conflicts and sick leaves in the short term; and stable/falling production prices, high level of investment, low attractiveness of the sector, lack of labour and succession in the long term. The attributes that commonly foster the resilience of the small ruminant farms are the autonomy, functional diversity, knowledge and innovation, and economic and human capital. Finally, there are resilience attributes that are farm-type-specific, such as the infrastructure capital, being coupled with local and natural capital and the spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Therefore, when designing resilience-enabling policies, the diversity of small ruminant farms and the challenges they face, as well as the combination of common and farm-type-specific resilience attributes should be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 107688"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107687
Isabella Manenti , Paola Toschi , Silvia Miretti , Genaro C. Miranda-de la Lama
The behaviour of sheep, like that of other animals, is the result of a complex interaction between causal mechanisms, their specific function, their development throughout life and their phylogenetic prevalence in the species. Within the domain of animal welfare, behaviour is of paramount importance, as they provide key insights into how individuals cope with environmental challenges and the way these challenges impact their mental states, biological functioning, and species-typical behavioural repertoires. The aim of this review is to critically and narratively examine key aspects of sheep behaviour to enhance the understanding of their biological needs and support improvements in the welfare of sheep raised under different production systems. The review emphasises the fundamental role of sensory systems in animal behaviour and welfare, along with the motivational systems, underlying individual, social, and maternal behaviours. It’s also examines abnormal behaviours in sheep and their implications for human-animal interactions within the production context. The integration of sheep behaviour knowledge with contemporary flock management is strategic to enhance both welfare and productive efficiency. Future research should focus on improving behavioural assessments, improved handling techniques and the possible implementation of precision farming to monitoring sheep behaviour.
{"title":"Principles of sheep behaviour: An overview from a welfare perspective","authors":"Isabella Manenti , Paola Toschi , Silvia Miretti , Genaro C. Miranda-de la Lama","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The behaviour of sheep, like that of other animals, is the result of a complex interaction between causal mechanisms, their specific function, their development throughout life and their phylogenetic prevalence in the species. Within the domain of animal welfare, behaviour is of paramount importance, as they provide key insights into how individuals cope with environmental challenges and the way these challenges impact their mental states, biological functioning, and species-typical behavioural repertoires. The aim of this review is to critically and narratively examine key aspects of sheep behaviour to enhance the understanding of their biological needs and support improvements in the welfare of sheep raised under different production systems. The review emphasises the fundamental role of sensory systems in animal behaviour and welfare, along with the motivational systems, underlying individual, social, and maternal behaviours. It’s also examines abnormal behaviours in sheep and their implications for human-animal interactions within the production context. The integration of sheep behaviour knowledge with contemporary flock management is strategic to enhance both welfare and productive efficiency. Future research should focus on improving behavioural assessments, improved handling techniques and the possible implementation of precision farming to monitoring sheep behaviour.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 107687"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div><div>The study aimed to characterize sheep growth by fitting four nonlinear models (Logistic, Gompertz, Brody and Von Bertalanffy), to Gellapper lamb growth data based on sex (M = males, F = females), birth type (S= singles, T = twins) and season (spring lambing, autumn lambing). Data was obtained from the Kalahari Research Station, Namibia, which comprised 466 wt records of lambs collected from birth to 180 days of age during 2016–2018. A Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed o summarize the multivariate phenotypic data, and identify the traits that explain most of the variation in sheep growth. Each of the growth models were fitted separately to body weight records of all lambs, with sex, birth status and season of birth as fixed factors using the NLMIXED MODEL procedures in SAS. The coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to test model fitness. The PCA showed that the first two principal components dimensions (Dim1 = 74.5 %; Dim2 = 19.3 %) explained 93.8 % of the total variation. Growth curve models showed consistently high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.93) across sexes, birth types, and seasons. All four nonlinear models provided good fits to the growth data (R² > 0.93, p < 0.001). However, model performance varied with sex, birth type, and season (P < 0.001). Females and twins generally showed better fits, with higher R² and lower AIC, BIC, and RMSE values compared to males and singles. Animals born in spring were better described by the models than those from autumn. The parameter estimates differed significantly (P < 0.001) across factors. Asymptotic weights (<em>A</em>) were consistently higher in males and in animals born during spring season, while twins tended to show higher <em>A</em> in the Logistic and Von Bertalanffy models. The growth rate constant (<em>k</em>) was stable across models (0.02–0.04), though lower in Brody (0.01), reflecting its slower approach to maturity. Gompertz and Logistic produced biologically realistic estimates, with inflection points (IA) around 54–56 days and initial weights (IW) between 16–22 kg. The evaluation of growth models revealed that the degree of maturity (<em>U</em>) was generally within the expected biological range (0.70–0.95), indicating that the majority of fitted models provided realistic estimates of the proportion of adult size attained at different ages. Focusing on later body weights, which contributed most strongly to Dim1, could yield the greatest genetic gains in Gellapper sheep. Overall, the Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy models were the most suitable for describing growth, providing lower error indices and parameter estimates consistent with the biology of the animals while the Brody model tended to overestimate mature weight and fit the data less accurately. These findings suggest that the preferred models support selecti
{"title":"Modeling growth for Gellapper sheep raised under arid extensive production system","authors":"Uaipo Ngorio , Clarice Princes Mudzengi , Tinotenda Nhovoro , Soul Washaya","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study aimed to characterize sheep growth by fitting four nonlinear models (Logistic, Gompertz, Brody and Von Bertalanffy), to Gellapper lamb growth data based on sex (M = males, F = females), birth type (S= singles, T = twins) and season (spring lambing, autumn lambing). Data was obtained from the Kalahari Research Station, Namibia, which comprised 466 wt records of lambs collected from birth to 180 days of age during 2016–2018. A Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed o summarize the multivariate phenotypic data, and identify the traits that explain most of the variation in sheep growth. Each of the growth models were fitted separately to body weight records of all lambs, with sex, birth status and season of birth as fixed factors using the NLMIXED MODEL procedures in SAS. The coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to test model fitness. The PCA showed that the first two principal components dimensions (Dim1 = 74.5 %; Dim2 = 19.3 %) explained 93.8 % of the total variation. Growth curve models showed consistently high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.93) across sexes, birth types, and seasons. All four nonlinear models provided good fits to the growth data (R² > 0.93, p < 0.001). However, model performance varied with sex, birth type, and season (P < 0.001). Females and twins generally showed better fits, with higher R² and lower AIC, BIC, and RMSE values compared to males and singles. Animals born in spring were better described by the models than those from autumn. The parameter estimates differed significantly (P < 0.001) across factors. Asymptotic weights (<em>A</em>) were consistently higher in males and in animals born during spring season, while twins tended to show higher <em>A</em> in the Logistic and Von Bertalanffy models. The growth rate constant (<em>k</em>) was stable across models (0.02–0.04), though lower in Brody (0.01), reflecting its slower approach to maturity. Gompertz and Logistic produced biologically realistic estimates, with inflection points (IA) around 54–56 days and initial weights (IW) between 16–22 kg. The evaluation of growth models revealed that the degree of maturity (<em>U</em>) was generally within the expected biological range (0.70–0.95), indicating that the majority of fitted models provided realistic estimates of the proportion of adult size attained at different ages. Focusing on later body weights, which contributed most strongly to Dim1, could yield the greatest genetic gains in Gellapper sheep. Overall, the Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy models were the most suitable for describing growth, providing lower error indices and parameter estimates consistent with the biology of the animals while the Brody model tended to overestimate mature weight and fit the data less accurately. These findings suggest that the preferred models support selecti","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 107686"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107684
Alicia Prat-Benhamou , Alberto Bernués , Bárbara Soriano , Ana M. Olaizola , Daniel Martín-Collado
In the last decades, increasingly complex challenges are threatening the viability of European small ruminant farming systems. Thus, studying the resilience of small ruminant farms is key to strengthen their ability to face the current global scenario and guarantee their long-term viability. This study uses FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) data from 2014 to 2022 to explore how the three resilience capacities (i.e., robustness, adaptation and transformation) contribute to the resilience of Spanish small ruminant farms and examines which farm characteristics are associated with higher resilience outcomes. Each resilience capacity is quantified by considering changes over time in a set of selected indicators. We defined best and worst performers per year for each resilience capacity and used Elastic Net regression models to understand the probability of farms to belong to the best and worst performers based on a set of farm indicators. Overall, farms were more robust than adaptable or transformable, and that their adaptation and transformation was limited. The probability to belong the best performing group was variable in the case studies. Still, some indicators increased farms probability of belonging to the best performing group: Production efficiency for robustness, and Hectares per livestock and On-farm feed ratio for adaptation. By contrast, Family labour ratio was negatively related to the best performers in terms of adaptation. In these regards, strengthening the resilience of small ruminant farms would require strategies building adaptation and transformation considering the farm indicators that contribute to perform better in these capacities.
{"title":"Assessing resilience of small ruminant farms in Spain: A longitudinal analysis based on FADN","authors":"Alicia Prat-Benhamou , Alberto Bernués , Bárbara Soriano , Ana M. Olaizola , Daniel Martín-Collado","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the last decades, increasingly complex challenges are threatening the viability of European small ruminant farming systems. Thus, studying the resilience of small ruminant farms is key to strengthen their ability to face the current global scenario and guarantee their long-term viability. This study uses FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) data from 2014 to 2022 to explore how the three resilience capacities (i.e., robustness, adaptation and transformation) contribute to the resilience of Spanish small ruminant farms and examines which farm characteristics are associated with higher resilience outcomes. Each resilience capacity is quantified by considering changes over time in a set of selected indicators. We defined best and worst performers per year for each resilience capacity and used Elastic Net regression models to understand the probability of farms to belong to the best and worst performers based on a set of farm indicators. Overall, farms were more robust than adaptable or transformable, and that their adaptation and transformation was limited. The probability to belong the best performing group was variable in the case studies. Still, some indicators increased farms probability of belonging to the best performing group: <em>Production efficiency</em> for robustness, and <em>Hectares per livestock</em> and <em>On-farm feed ratio</em> for adaptation. By contrast, <em>Family labour ratio</em> was negatively related to the best performers in terms of adaptation. In these regards, strengthening the resilience of small ruminant farms would require strategies building adaptation and transformation considering the farm indicators that contribute to perform better in these capacities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 107684"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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