Effect of cobalt deficiency in the pregnant ewe on reproductive performance and lamb viability

Fisher, G. E. J.; Macpherson, Allan

doi:10.1016/0034-5288(91)90132-8

Cited by 41 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Such effects could be mediated by altered composition of colostrum and/or the amount ingested by the neonate, or the ability of the neonatal gut to absorb immunoglobulins. For example, low periconception levels of cobalt or vitamin B 12 reduced serum IgG in 2-and 4-week-old lambs (Fisher and Macpherson 1991), whereas some studies report an increase in lamb plasma IgG concentrations following vitamin E supplementation before lambing (Gentry et al 1992). Excess intakes of minerals during pregnancy do not alter colostrum IgG content, but impair immunoglobulin absorption in lambs, and this appears to be largely attributable to the iodine component of the mineral mix (Boland et al 2005).…”

Section: Immune Function and Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals

Sinclair

Rutherford

Wallace

et al. 2016

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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Abstract. The concept that postnatal health and development can be influenced by events that occur in utero originated from epidemiological studies in humans supported by numerous mechanistic (including epigenetic) studies in a variety of model species. Referred to as the 'developmental origins of health and disease' or 'DOHaD' hypothesis, the primary focus of large-animal studies until quite recently had been biomedical. Attention has since turned towards traits of commercial importance in farm animals. Herein we review the evidence that prenatal risk factors, including suboptimal parental nutrition, gestational stress, exposure to environmental chemicals and advanced breeding technologies, can determine traits such as postnatal growth, feed efficiency, milk yield, carcass composition, animal welfare and reproductive potential. We consider the role of epigenetic and cytoplasmic mechanisms of inheritance, and discuss implications for livestock production and future research endeavours. We conclude that although the concept is proven for several traits, issues relating to effect size, and hence commercial importance, remain. Studies have also invariably been conducted under controlled experimental conditions, frequently assessing single risk factors, thereby limiting their translational value for livestock production. We propose concerted international research efforts that consider multiple, concurrent stressors to better represent effects of contemporary animal production systems.

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Section: Immune Function and Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals

Sinclair

Rutherford

Wallace

et al. 2016

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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“…For supplementation with 0.06 mg Co per day, lamb performance was not different from that of a positive control group. Fisher and MacPherson (1991) reported two experiments. In each experiment ewes were fed either a deficient diet (0.06 mg Co/kg DM) or one supplemented with 0.1 mg Co per day (weekly drench) throughout gestation.…”

Section: Cobaltmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential for improving physiological, behavioural and immunological responses in the neonatal lamb by trace element and vitamin supplementation of the ewe

Rooke¹,

Dwyer²,

Ashworth³

2008

Animal

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Neonatal lamb mortality represents both a welfare issue (due to the considerable suffering and distress) and an important production inefficiency. In lambs, approximately 80% of mortality can be attributed to the starvation-mismothering-exposure complex and occurs in the first 3 days after birth. It was the object of this review to determine the micronutrient(s) most likely to have a positive effect on neonatal lamb survival when included above the requirement for that micronutrient. Micronutrients discussed were Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, vitamins A and E and n-3 fatty acids. For Co, Fe, Mn and Zn, there was no evidence of positive responses to supplementation. Cu and I had toxicity thresholds that were sufficiently close to requirement that supplementing above requirement presented a risk of inducing toxicity. In the case of vitamin A, while serum concentrations indicated that sub-optimal status did exist, long-term buffering from liver stores (from grazing) makes experimentation difficult and practical benefits to supplementation unlikely. Therefore, the most likely candidates for supplementation were Se, vitamin E and fatty acids. Fatty acid supplementation with fish oils or docosahexaenoic acid-containing algal biomass consistently improved lamb vigour but it is unlikely that supplementation will be economic. Positive responses to Se supplementation throughout gestation were recorded. However, in many studies the Se status of control ewes was marginal and there is a need for more studies where control ewes are clearly adequate in Se. Positive responses to vitamin E supplementation above requirement in the last-third of gestation were observed but the optimum dietary inclusion of vitamin E and period of feeding during pregnancy still require clarification.Keywords: lamb mortality, sheep, supplementation, trace elements, vitamins IntroductionNeonatal lamb mortality is a significant welfare and production concern. Mortality of live-born offspring can be as high as 25%, which extrapolates to more than four million lamb deaths annually in the UK. Lamb mortality represents both a welfare issue (due to the considerable suffering and distress) and an important production inefficiency (Mellor and Stafford, 2004). In lambs, approximately 80% of mortality can be attributed to the starvation-mismotheringexposure complex and, as a consequence, the vast majority of pre-weaning deaths occur in the first 3 days after birth (Haughey, 1993). Thus the neonatal period is critical for ensuring pre-weaning survival. Since considerable technological and management changes have failed to improve these mortality figures, examining the behaviour and adaptations of the animals may be a more fruitful route to improving neonate survivability. The nutrition of the ewe is an important factor that may influence ewe and lamb behaviour and therefore survival of the lamb.Under-nutrition of the ewe has an important influence on the lamb at the extreme being manifested as intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR). The effects of under (and over)...

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“…Thus, the growth and resistance of the newborn can thus be lowered after a period of deficiency in one or several vitamins or trace mineral elements, i.e. vitamin B12 [102,118], vitamin E [119], copper [120] in ovines or after a period of deficiency of selenium (Se) in bovines [121] or in ovines [122]. Some of these consequences are linked to the fact that newborn animals usually face a period of high demand immediately after birth, caused notably by a brisk change of the oxygen partial pressure at the level of lungs and other sources of ROS production.…”

Section: Defense Against Ros and The Outcome Of Gestationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gestation linked radical oxygen species fluxes and vitamins and trace mineral deficiencies in the ruminant

2006

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-In mammals, radical oxygen species (ROS) are essential factors of cell replication, differentiation and growth (oxidative signal), notably during gestation, but are also potentially damaging agents. In Women, ROS play a role in remodeling of uterine tissues, implantation of the embryo, settlement of the villi and development of blood vessels characteristic of gestation. The body stores of vitamins and minerals of gestating females are used to keep ROS fluxes at a level corresponding to oxidative signals and to prevent an imbalance between their production and scavenging (oxidative stress), which would be detrimental to the mother and fetus. There is some evidence that, although based on different regulatory mechanisms, most of the effects of ROS reported in humans also occur in pregnant ruminant females, some of which have been actually reported. Many vitamins and trace elements have dual effects in the organism of mammals: (a) they are involved in the control of metabolic pathways or/and gene expression, (b) but most of the time they also display ROS trapping activity or their deficiencies induce high rates of ROS production. Deficiencies induce different disorders of gestation and can be induced by different kinds of stress. An example is given, corresponding to the decreased contents of cobalt of forages, when exposed to sustained heavy rains, so that the supply of vitamins B12 to the organism of the ruminant that grazes them is reduced and failure of gestation is induced. Outdoor exposure of ruminants to adverse climatic conditions by itself can increase the vitamin and trace element requirements. Adaptation of production systems taking into account these interactions between gestation and sources of stress or change of the quality of feeding stuffs as well as further developments of knowledge in that field is necessary to promote sustainable agricultural practices.gestation / ovine / bovine / vitamins / trace elements / antioxidant enzymes / radical oxygen species / radical phenomena

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Effect of cobalt deficiency in the pregnant ewe on reproductive performance and lamb viability

Cited by 41 publications

References 10 publications

Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals

Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals

The potential for improving physiological, behavioural and immunological responses in the neonatal lamb by trace element and vitamin supplementation of the ewe

Gestation linked radical oxygen species fluxes and vitamins and trace mineral deficiencies in the ruminant

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