Syed Mohammad Khursheed Naqvi

Effect of nutritional restriction on growth, adaptation physiology and estrous responses in Malpura ewes

The study was conducted to ascertain the effects of nutritional restrictions on growth, physiological adaptability and reproduction in sheep. The experiment was conducted for a period of 35 days covering two estrus cycles in 40 adult Malpura ewes. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals each (100%; 80%; 70%; 60% of ad libitum). The ewes were fed a ration consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. At weekly intervals, physiological responses were recorded and blood samples were also collected. Nutritional restriction of different magnitude (80%; 70%; 60% of ad libitum) altered the growth, physiological adaptability and estrus responses to different extents in Malpura ewes. But the impact was most severe in 60% of ad libitum group. Nutritional restriction to the level of 60% of ad libitum feeding significantly decreased body weight, body condition score, plasma insulin-like growth factor, pulse rate in the morning, respiration rate and pulse rate in the afternoon, plasma glucose, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, plasma tri-iodo-thyronine and thyroxine, plasma cortisol, plasma estradiol, estrus % and estrus duration, while it significantly increased plasma concentration of growth hormone, hemoglobin, plasma concentration of progesterone and estrus cycle length. The study clearly establishes the effect of different levels of nutrition and its impact on the biological functions necessary to adapt to semi-arid environment. Although, 80%, 70% and 60% groups showed signs of nutritional stress, the effects were more pronounced in 60% ewes. Furthermore, this study clearly establishes the role of various hormones required to adapt to different levels of nutritional stress in Malpura ewes.

Effect of two doses of progesterone on estrus response and fertility in acycling crossbred Bharat Merino ewes in a semi-arid tropical environment

The efficacy of two doses of progesterone (P4), i.e. 350 and 300mg was evaluated in acycling crossbred ewes (50) during the autumn breeding season. Ewes were treated with intravaginal progesterone sponges with either 350mg or 300mg for 12 days. At standing estrus, ewes were hand mated (three cycles). Progesterone (350mg) gave a better (P<0.05) estrus response (75%), compared to 300mg dose (42%). Ewes treated with 350mg P4 also showed better (P<0.05) synchronization response (93%) than those treated with 300mg (56%) at 72h after sponge removal. Lower doses of progesterone (300mg) significantly delayed (P<0.01) the onset of estrus. However, dose had no significant influence(P>0.05) on estrus length, conception rate and the proportion of ewes lambing at term. This study indicates that dose of progesterone may have an effect on estrus exhibition and response time without altering the conception rate and lambing in acycling crossbred Bharat Merino ewes during the major breeding season in a semi-arid tropical environment.

Effect of multiple environmental stressors on the adaptive capability of Malpura rams based on physiological responses in a semi-arid tropical environment

ABSTRACT A 45‐day study was conducted where the primary objective was to evaluate the effect of simultaneously imposed multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional, and walking) on the adaptive capability of Malpura rams based on changes in ingestive behavior, physiological, blood biochemical, and endocrine responses. Twenty adult Malpura rams (average body weight 44.9 kg) were used in the study. The rams were divided into 2 groups, CON (n = 10; control) and multiple stressors (MS; n = 10; multiple stressors). All of the rams were stall fed with a diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. The CON rams were maintained in a shed under ambient conditions with ad libitum feeding without walking, whereas MS rams were subjected to multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional, and walking). The feed intake (P < 0.01) was lower and water intake (P < 0.01) was higher in MS compared to CON rams. Among the physiological measurements, respiration rate afternoon (P < 0.01), pulse rate morning (P < 0.01), rectal temperature afternoon (P < 0.01), skin temperature afternoon (P < 0.05), and both morning and afternoon scrotum temperature (P < 0.01) increased significantly in MS rams. Both hemoglobin (P < 0.05), packed cell volume (P < 0.01), increased and plasma glucose (P < 0.01) reduced significantly (P < 0.01) in MS as compared to CON rams. Among the endocrine parameters, the plasma cortisol increased and plasma thyroxin reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in MS rams. The study indicates that Malpura rams have the capability to adjust their physio‐biochemical and endocrine responses to cope with multiple stressors in a hot semi‐arid environment. Furthermore, the study also indicated that respiration rate, rectal temperature, scrotal temperature, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and cortisol may act as ideal biological markers for quantifying the impact of multiple stressors in Malpura rams.

Effect of short-term seclusion of sheep on their welfare indicators

Abstract Separation from the group is a potent stressor for sheep and may have an adverse effect on animal welfare. Therefore, the present study was initiated to determine the effect of short‐term seclusion of sheep on their welfare indicators in terms of behavior and endocrine level. Sixteen ewes aged 3‐4 years were kept together for one month to form a group and get emotionally accustomed to each other. Thereafter, one individual ewe was daily separated from their group and kept in a separate shed to ward off their visual and tactile contact with other group mates. Thus, the 16 ewes of the group were separated from their group individually for 24 hours one after another for one time for each individual. It was found that the dry matter intake, water intake, and body weight were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) after isolation from the group. Respiration rate, pulse rate, and rectal temperature increased significantly (P < 0.05) after separation from the group. Cortisol, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine levels were elevated after separation from the pen mate. The total time spent feeding, ruminating, and lying decreased significantly (P < 005), whereas standing and location time increased significantly (P < 0.05) after separation from the group. The percentage of time spent on different behavior at different hours also differ significantly (P < 0.05) after separation from the group as compared to when the ewes were in the group. Therefore, it can be concluded that seclusion from the group elicits a significant stress on animals, which may be due to emotional distress.