title: Parity and litter size effects on maternal behavior of Small Tail Han sheep in China.
abstract: The effects of parity and litter size on maternal behavior of Small Tail Han sheep was investigated at Linyi University, China. Sixty-eight ewes were observed from parturition to weaning. Continuous focal animal sampling was used to quantify the duration of maternal behaviors. Ewe feces were collected every 2 days and estradiol concentration was measured with an enzyme immunoassay kit. All lambs were weighed 24 h after parturition and again at 35 days of age. Parity increased sucking, following, grooming, low-pitched bleat, head-up and udder-refusal behavior and decreased aggressive behavior (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively), and litter size showed significant effect on sucking, following and low-pitched bleat behavior (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). The lambs of multiparous ewes were significantly heavier than primiparous ewes at birth (P < 0.01) and were significantly heavier at weaning age (P < 0.01). Similar results were founded for birth weight and weaning weight gain in litter size (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). Estradiol concentration in feces was higher in multiparous ewes than primiparous ewes. Parity and litter size may have effects on maternal behavior during lactation. Ewes that have 2-3 lambs may be more suitable for production of Small Tail Han sheep in China.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Shen-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Linyi Agriculture Science Institute, Linyi, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Fu-Kuan
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001835:Body Weight; D002681:China; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008098:Litter Size; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Small Tail Han sheep; estradiol; litter size; maternal behavior; parity