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REVIEW

A review of the genetic and epigenetic factors affecting lamb survival

F. D. Brien A B C L , S. W. P. Cloete D E , N. M. Fogarty A F , J. C. Greeff A G , M. L. Hebart A C , S. Hiendleder A C H , J. E. Hocking Edwards A I , J. M. Kelly A J , K. L. Kind A C H , D. O. Kleemann A J , K. L. Plush A C and D. R. Miller K
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Sheep CRC Ltd, CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B Formerly South Australian Research and Development Institute, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.

C School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.

D Directorate Animal Sciences, Elsenburg, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa.

E Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

F NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

G Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.

H Robinson Institute, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

I South Australian Research and Development Institute, Struan Research Centre, Naracoorte, SA 5271, Australia.

J South Australian Research and Development Institute, Turretfield Research Centre, Rosedale, SA 5350, Australia.

K AgForce Queensland, Level 1, 183 North Quay, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.

L Corresponding author. Email: Forbes.Brien@adelaide.edu.au

Animal Production Science 54(6) 667-693 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13140
Submitted: 12 April 2013  Accepted: 7 December 2013   Published: 7 February 2014

Abstract

Poor lamb survival pre-weaning is a major source of reproductive inefficiency in Australian sheep flocks. While nutrition and management options have been extensively researched and promoted to improve lamb survival, the present review focuses on the prospects for obtaining genetic gain and helps identify selection strategies for boosting such gains to improve overall reproductive efficiency in the Australian sheep industry. Estimated heritability for lamb survival using linear model analysis is low, although use of threshold models suggests that heritability could be higher, which, if true, could help explain the substantial genetic gains obtained in long-term selection experiments. Epigenetic mechanisms may hinder selection and quantitative trait-loci identification through confounding and/or masking genetic variances and co-variances. With sufficient information, these effects could be considered in genetic evaluations by identifying those components that are amenable to selection. Regarding indirect selection, finding effective criteria for improving lamb survival has proved elusive. Most measures of maternal behaviour, temperament and lambing difficulty researched are poorly correlated genetically with lamb survival. Of lamb behaviours and thermo-genic indicators studied, latency to bleat following handling by humans is moderately genetically correlated with lamb survival, as is neonatal rectal temperature. Industry application remains to be adequately explored for the more promising of these measures. Finally, in lieu of direct selection for lamb survival, there is merit in selecting for multiple-rearing ability or its equivalent, possibly with additional selection criteria for lamb survival and reproductive efficiency.


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