Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Heritability01:06

Heritability

Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic" a trait is,...
Cloning of Dolly the Sheep01:08

Cloning of Dolly the Sheep

The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual,  the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter telomeres than other...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genetic variation in milk urea nitrogen concentration of dairy cattle and its implications for reducing urinary nitrogen excretion - CORRIGENDUM.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2019
Same author

Genetic variation in milk urea nitrogen concentration of dairy cattle and its implications for reducing urinary nitrogen excretion.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2019
Same author

Heritability of ram mating success in multi-sire breeding situations.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2018
Same author

Genetic analysis and genomic selection of stayability and productive life in New Zealand ewes.

Journal of animal science·2015
Same author

Derivation of a new lamb survival trait for the New Zealand sheep industry.

Journal of animal science·2015
Same author

The effects of age, weight, and sire on pregnancy rate in cattle.

Journal of animal science·2015
Same journal

Chromium propionate supplementation modulates rumen fermentation, immune response, temperament, and growth of recently weaned brangus steers.

Journal of animal science·2026
Same journal

In vivo methane abatement by pyromellitic diimide in sheep and redirection of rumen hydrogen by co-administered feed additives.

Journal of animal science·2026
Same journal

Ruminal 5-hydroxytryptophan increases serum serotonin and peripheral vasodilation in growing beef cattle.

Journal of animal science·2026
Same journal

Water intake and consumption behaviour of colony and privately-owned healthy domestic cats fed 100% dry, 50% dry and 50% wet, and 100% wet diets: A comparison of research and home environments.

Journal of animal science·2026
Same journal

Gestational Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation in F0 Beef Heifers: Impacts on F1 Heifer Nutrient Digestibility, Metabolic Balance, and F1 Dam and F2 Fetus Development.

Journal of animal science·2026
Same journal

A self-reinforcing transcriptional loop: ELF5 directly activates the STAT5B promoter to orchestrate milk protein synthesis in water buffalo.

Journal of animal science·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
14:40

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings

Published on: October 25, 2015

Genetic parameters for ewe rearing performance.

J M Everett-Hincks1, N G Cullen

  • 1AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand. julie.everett-hincks@agresearch.co.nz

Journal of Animal Science
|June 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic selection for litter survival in sheep is ineffective due to very low heritability. However, focusing on body condition score (BCS), maternal behavior, and litter weight can improve ewe and flock performance.

More Related Videos

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
09:09

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Published on: August 8, 2017

In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus
11:59

In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus

Published on: April 28, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
14:40

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings

Published on: October 25, 2015

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
09:09

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Published on: August 8, 2017

In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus
11:59

In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus

Published on: April 28, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Animal Genetics
  • Sheep Breeding
  • Quantitative Genetics

Background:

  • Ewe performance traits are crucial for flock productivity.
  • Understanding genetic parameters informs effective breeding strategies.
  • Previous studies have explored various sheep performance indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine genetic parameters for ewe performance traits in New Zealand sheep flocks.
  • To assess the potential for genetic gain in litter survival and other ewe traits.
  • To guide future sheep selection programs for improved flock performance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized animal performance records from AgResearch Lamb Survival Database and Sheep Improvement Limited.
  • Analyzed data from 3 lambing years (2003-2005) across 24 flocks.
  • Involved 31,651 ewes of various breeds, predominantly Romney, Coopworth, and Texel.

Main Results:

  • Heritabilities and repeatabilities for litter survival traits were very low.
  • Heritabilities for litter weight traits ranged from 0.12 to 0.28; repeatabilities ranged from 0.18 to 0.29.
  • Repeatabilities for body condition score (BCS) and maternal behavior score were low to moderate.

Conclusions:

  • Including litter survival traits in sheep selection programs offers minimal genetic gain.
  • Genetic gains are achievable for BCS, maternal behavior score, and litter weight traits.
  • Investigating the incorporation of these traits into selection programs is recommended for enhancing ewe and flock performance.