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Physiological correlates of maternal-offspring behaviour in sheep: a factor analysis
C M Dwyer1, W S Dingwall, A B Lawrence
1Animal Biology Division, SAC, Edinburgh, UK. c.dwyer@ed.sac.ac.uk
Physiology & Behavior
|September 25, 1999
Summary
Maternal hormones and lamb breed influence sheep maternal behavior. Oestradiol links to affiliative actions, while progesterone relates to lamb activity, revealing two key behavioral axes.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Sheep Husbandry
Background:
- Maternal behavior in sheep is regulated by ovarian hormones (oestrogen, progesterone) and oxytocin.
- Sheep breeds, like Suffolk and Scottish Blackface, exhibit distinct maternal behavior patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between maternal behavior, offspring behavior, and ovarian hormone levels during sheep gestation.
- To identify underlying factors contributing to variations in maternal care.
Main Methods:
- Factor analysis was employed to analyze relationships between behavioral variables and hormone levels.
- Embryo transfer was used to cross-breed Suffolk and Scottish Blackface ewes.
- Plasma concentrations of oestradiol-17beta and progesterone were measured during late gestation.
Main Results:
- Three factors explained 50% of the variation: lamb activity, ewe maternal behavior, and ewe-lamb sucking interactions.
- Lamb breed influenced activity levels (latency to stand, suckling frequency).
- Ewe breed affected maternal behavior factors, with oestradiol linked to grooming and progesterone to lamb activity.
Conclusions:
- Sheep maternal behavior is organized along two distinct behavioral axes.
- Maternal oestradiol concentration is associated with affiliative behaviors like grooming.
- Hormonal and genetic factors significantly shape maternal care strategies in sheep.