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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
14:40
Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
Factors affecting birth weight in sheep: maternal environment
D S Gardner1, P J Buttery, Z Daniel
1Centre for Reproduction and Early Life, Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK. david.gardner@nottingham.ac.uk
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|January 25, 2007
Summary
Litter size significantly impacts lamb birth weight, with maternal nutrition, birth weight, and lamb sex also playing key roles. Understanding these factors is crucial for sheep husbandry and predicting future health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Birth weight is a critical indicator of neonatal and adult health.
- Identifying factors influencing birth weight variation is essential for livestock management and animal welfare.
- Previous research has explored various maternal and environmental influences on offspring size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the key factors influencing lamb birth weight in sheep using two distinct datasets.
- To analyze the impact of maternal characteristics, nutritional status, and environmental variables on birth weight.
- To provide insights applicable to sheep husbandry and the broader understanding of birth weight determinants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two large sheep datasets with differing breeds and sample sizes.
- Employed regression analysis to examine relationships between maternal factors and lamb birth weight (Study 1).
- Applied multilevel modeling to assess multiple influences including ewe weight, parity, litter size, and year of birth (Study 2).
Main Results:
- Litter size was the most significant factor influencing lamb birth weight.
- Other significant factors included year of birth, maternal birth weight, maternal nutrition, lamb sex, ewe barrenness, and maternal body composition at mating.
- Interactions between variables were selectively investigated, revealing complex relationships.
Conclusions:
- Litter size, maternal characteristics, nutrition, and environmental factors are primary drivers of birth weight variation in sheep.
- Findings have direct implications for optimizing sheep breeding and management practices.
- Birth weight remains a vital predictor of an animal's future health trajectory.
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