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Genital stimulation facilitates maternal behavior in estrous ewes
P Poindron1, N Rempel, A Troyer
1Laboratoire de Comportement Animal, INRA, Nouzilly, France.
Hormones and Behavior
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Artificial genital stimulation can induce maternal behavior in ewes. This study found that stimulating estrous ewes artificially increased their likelihood of exhibiting maternal responses to lambs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Sheep Husbandry
Background:
- Maternal responsiveness in ewes to newborn lambs is often low.
- The absence of genital stimulation during parturition may contribute to this reduced maternal behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of artificial genital stimulation on the maternal behavior of estrous ewes.
- To determine if artificial stimulation can elicit maternal responses in nonpregnant ewes.
Main Methods:
- Estrus was synchronized in 33 ewes using progestin-saturated vaginal sponges.
- Ewes were divided into a control group and a group receiving artificial genital stimulation.
- Maternal behavior was observed after the presentation of newborn lambs.
Main Results:
- Ewes receiving artificial genital stimulation showed significantly more licking and low-pitched bleating towards lambs.
- Subsequent stimulation of control ewes also increased maternal behavior, eliminating significant group differences.
- Artificial genital stimulation effectively elicited maternal behavior in nonpregnant ewes.
Conclusions:
- The absence of genital stimulation is a factor in the low maternal responsiveness of estrous ewes.
- Artificial genital stimulation is a viable method to induce maternal behavior in ewes, even without pregnancy.
- This finding has implications for improving lambing success and ewe-lamb bonding.