Validation of automated electronic oestrus detection in sheep as an alternative to visual observation

Alhamada, Moutaz; Debus, Nathalie; Lurette, Amandine; Bocquier, François

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.12.032

Cited by 30 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This equation confirms the slight underestimation (94 or 93.4%) with the automated method compared with visual observations. It also fully agrees with our previous independent measurements (93%; Alhamada et al, 2016).…”

Section: Libido Pen Testssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Paddock tests: automated evaluation of the rams' libido in the flock We hypothesised that the AD, previously validated for detection of oestrus in ewes (Alhamada et al, 2016), and also validated in the present experiment, would allow automatic evaluation of the rams' libido. Here we were more interested in the number of mounts performed by each ram than by the ewes' behaviour.…”

Section: Libido Pen Testsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The evaluation of each ram requires at least 30 min of observations, which need to be repeated on at least six occasions to account for factors of variation (Stellflug and Berardinelli, 2002). Among these factors, variability in oestrus intensity can be partially limited by using several ewes at the same time (Gouletsou and Fthenakis, 2010;Alhamada et al, 2016). However, this method is time consuming and laborious and a simple, fast, reliable and inexpensive alternative is needed to estimate ram libido.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An automated method for the evaluation of ram libido in real mating conditions

Alhamada

Debus

Bocquier

2017

Animal

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We investigated if sexual behaviour of rams can be assessed with an electronic Alpha-Detector (AD) which automatically records mounts of mating rams. To evaluate the rams' libido (i.e. all sexual activities), we used six intact and six vasectomised rams in pen tests in three different seasons (late spring, autumn and early spring). The pen tests consisted of 30-min visual observations of each ram placed in a group of six Merino ewes (three ewes in oestrus and three ewes not in oestrus). In the pen tests, sexual behaviour was recorded and divided into two categories: pre-copulatory and copulatory. For validation purposes, during the pen tests the 12 rams were equipped with the AD and the number of times the 18 oestrous ewes were mounted were counted over a period of 3 days. Of the 1191 mounts visually identified in the six 30-min sessions, 1026 were recorded automatically by the AD (i.e. 94%). The paddock test is an automated method consisting of the same rams wearing an AD and placed in a flock of ~250 Merino ewes on two occasions (late spring (spring 1) and early spring of the following year (spring 2)), their copulatory activities were automatically recorded over a 5-day period. The results of the pen tests in the three seasons revealed no difference between the two types of rams (breeding v. detecting rams). Based on live observations high correlations (r=+0.81, P<0.003 for breeding and r=+0.76, P<0.02 for detecting rams) were found between pre-copulatory and copulatory behaviours. The libido of the two types of rams measured in pen tests showed high repeatability across the three seasons (83 and 75%, P<0.05 for copulatory and pre-copulatory behaviours, respectively). When measured automatically in paddock tests over two consecutive springs, even higher repeatability was observed in both breeding (94%; P<0.01) and detecting rams (97%; P<0.004) in the number of mounts. In addition, high correlations (+0.89

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Section: Libido Pen Testssupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Libido Pen Testsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An automated method for the evaluation of ram libido in real mating conditions

Alhamada

Debus

Bocquier

2017

Animal

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“…Estrus in cattle can be monitored based on individual vocalizations and caller identification (Röttgen et al, 2020) or with proximity loggers (Corbet et al, 2018). This can also be monitored using RFID technology in sheep (Alhamada et al, 2016), while sensor-based systems can detect pig farrowing (Manteuffel et al, 2015;Pastell et al, 2016;Liu et al, 2018).…”

Section: Technologies In Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Potential of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies to Help Address Farm Animal Welfare

2021

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The rise in the demand for animal products due to demographic and dietary changes has exacerbated difficulties in addressing societal concerns related to the environment, human health, and animal welfare. As a response to this challenge, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies are being developed to monitor animal health and welfare parameters in a continuous and automated way, offering the opportunity to improve productivity and detect health issues at an early stage. However, ethical concerns have been raised regarding their potential to facilitate the management of production systems that are potentially harmful to animal welfare, or to impact the human-animal relationship and farmers' duty of care. Using the Five Domains Model (FDM) as a framework, the aim is to explore the potential of PLF to help address animal welfare and to discuss potential welfare benefits and risks of using such technology. A variety of technologies are identified and classified according to their type [sensors, bolus, image or sound based, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)], their development stage, the species they apply to, and their potential impact on welfare. While PLF technologies have promising potential to reduce the occurrence of diseases and injuries in livestock farming systems, their current ability to help promote positive welfare states remains limited, as technologies with such potential generally remain at earlier development stages. This is likely due to the lack of evidence related to the validity of positive welfare indicators as well as challenges in technology adoption and development. Finally, the extent to which welfare can be improved will also strongly depend on whether management practices will be adapted to minimize negative consequences and maximize benefits to welfare.

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“…Des outils d'aide à la détection des chaleurs seraient un atout pour l'IA sans hormone, notamment en filière ovine. Le détecteur de chevauchements Alpha® (Wallace Group) qui est porté par un « bélier détecteur » permet d'automatiser la détection des brebis venant en chaleurs (Alhamada et al, 2016). Des études menées sur des brebis de races Lacaune (laitière) et Mérinos (allaitante) ont notamment permis de réaliser des IA sur chaleurs naturelles à contre-saison après effet mâle.…”

Section: L'ia Après « Eff Et Bouc » Seul (Sans Hormones)unclassified

Vers une maîtrise de la reproduction sans hormones chez les petits ruminants

Pellicer-Rubio

Boissard²,

Grizelj

et al. 2019

INRA Prod. Anim.

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Dans les élevages ovins et caprins, la maîtrise de la reproduction est importante pour une reproduction hors saison sexuelle, pour grouper les mises bas et pour la pratique de l’Insémination Artificielle (IA). Le traitement hormonal d’induction et de synchronisation de l’œstrus et de l’ovulation est aujourd’hui le moyen le plus efficace pour atteindre ces objectifs. Le recours à des traitements photopériodiques et/ou à l’effet mâle apparait comme une solution pour limiter l’utilisation d’hormones dans ces filières.Cet article rappelle les spécificités de la réponse ovulatoire et comportementale des femelles à « l’effet mâle », ainsi que les bases physiologiques qui contribuent à la réussite de cette pratique chez les ovins et les caprins. Le prétraitement des animaux avec des traitements photopériodiques de désaisonnement est un prérequis pour une réponse à l’effet mâle efficace, notamment chez des races très saisonnées comme les races caprines alpine et saanen. Des traitements lumineux sont actuellement disponibles en élevage pour une reproduction par effet mâle en toute saison. Toutefois, ils requièrent l’utilisation de mélatonine à certaines périodes de l’année (notamment pour une reproduction en période estivale). Cet article expose différents travaux réalisés pour développer de nouveaux traitements lumineux sans mélatonine, pouvant être appliqués en bâtiment ouvert. Des protocoles d’IA qui font appel à « l’effet mâle » sont en train d’émerger. Il s’agit pour certains de protocoles basés sur l’association de l’effet mâle avec des progestatifs et/ou des prostaglandines, et qui permettent de pratiquer une seule IA à un moment prédéterminé. Des protocoles d’IA après effet mâle seul (sans hormones) sont également disponibles, et notamment basés sur une détection des chaleurs. Chez les caprins, ils comportent 1 ou 2 moments d’IA, avec ou sans détection de chaleurs préalable. Chez les ovins, la détection des chaleurs est obligatoire pour la pratique de l’IA après un effet bélier seul. Dans les deux espèces, le développement de la détection automatisée des chaleurs facilitera le déploiement des protocoles d’IA sans utilisation d’hormones.

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Validation of automated electronic oestrus detection in sheep as an alternative to visual observation

Abstract: Validation of automated electronic oestrus detection in sheep as an alternative to visual observation. Small Ruminant Research (Online), 97-104.

Cited by 30 publications

References 33 publications

An automated method for the evaluation of ram libido in real mating conditions

An automated method for the evaluation of ram libido in real mating conditions

Exploring the Potential of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies to Help Address Farm Animal Welfare

Vers une maîtrise de la reproduction sans hormones chez les petits ruminants

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