Evaluating fertility and growth rate potential of indigenous sheep breeds submitted to heat stress under different management systems

Authors

  • Shakirullah Khan Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Imdad Ullah Khan Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Alam Zeb Khan Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Shahid Zaman Livestock Research and Development Station, Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Abdul Majid Livestock Research and Development Station, Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Atiq Ur Rehman Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Mumtaz Ali Khan Department of Livestock and Dairy Development, Peshawar, Pakistan
  • Hamza Maris Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Rahman Ullah Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • Subhan Qureshi Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

Keywords:

Sheep breeds, thermal stress, growth rate, fertility, stress hormones.

Abstract

Objective: Sheep farming is an important source of livelihood in the southern Khyber Pakhtun Khwa province of Pakistan where they are reared under extensive system (ES). This system has limitations of improper feeding, rearing, and management which negatively affect their productivity. The pres­ent study compares different rearing systems and their stresses on fertility, behavior, and growth rate potential of two sheep breeds of Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: Eighty ewes were selected; forty each from Damani and Balkhi breeds reared in semi-intensive system (SIS) and ES at Paharpur district, Dera Ismail Khan. Blood samples were collected in triplicate on days 0, 14, and 28 of May, and the molecular and behavioral stress, growth, and fertility rates were recorded.

Results: The highest growth and fertility rate were observed in both the breeds in SIS than in ES (p < 0.01). The values of stress indicators (cortisol, heat shock protein (HSP-70)) and behavioral stress parameters were found lower in Damani breed as compared to Balkhi breed in both rearing systems (p < 0.01). All the molecular stress and behavioral stress parameters were negatively associated with metabolic hormones (T3 and T4) (p < 0.01). A positive correlation was observed among all the molecular stress and behavioral stress parameters (p < 0.01). Similarly, T3 and T4 were positively interlinked to one another (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: It was concluded that both Damani and Balkhi sheep showed lower stress levels and better fertility and growth parameter in SIS than ES system of rearing. Local Damani breed exhibited well tolerant ability and genetic adaptation to the local environment as compared to Balkhi breed.

J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(1): 170-176, March 2020

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Published

2020-03-12

How to Cite

Khan, S., Khan, I. U., Khan, A. Z., Zaman, S., Majid, A., Rehman, A. U., Khan, M. A., Maris, H., Ullah, R., & Qureshi, S. (2020). Evaluating fertility and growth rate potential of indigenous sheep breeds submitted to heat stress under different management systems. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 7(1), 170–176. Retrieved from https://banglajol.info/index.php/JAVAR/article/view/46382

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Original Articles

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