Effects of parity and litter size on maternal behaviour in Kivircik ewes

ABSTRACT Anti-progesterone immunization leads to reversible infertility in mice; this can be achieved by passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody to progesterone (DB3), or by active immunization with either a progesterone–protein (bovine serum albumin; BSA) conjugate or anti-idiotype directed against DB3. Recovery of fertility in treated females varied from 39·5 to 75·5 median days after passive or active (progesterone–BSA) immunization respectively. Litter size after the first pregnancy also differed from 8·6 ±0·8 to 5·0 ±0·6 (mean ± s.e.m.) per mother after passive or active immunization respectively. When litter size was standardized to a maximum of four pups per litter, aberrant maternal responses were observed in the first 5 days after delivery in 40–70% of the nursing mothers. These responses took the forms of cannibalism and failure to retrieve or to nurse pups and resulted in a high incidence of pup rejection (up to 40%), compared with no rejection in control mothers. When mothers were allowed to keep entire litters, an even higher incidence of pup rejection occurred (51% compared with 8% in controls). There was an apparent relation between the degree of negative maternal behaviour and the progesterone antibody concentration in the circulation during the infertile period. Whereas aberrant behaviour occurred mainly within the first 5 days of lactation, it was significantly reduced thereafter. Aberrant behaviour of the mother towards pups may be a consequence of the presence of residual progesterone antibodies in the circulation which affects the process of progesterone withdrawal at parturition that is essential for the establishment of normal maternal responses to the neonate. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 257–267

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Litter size manipulations do not alter maternal behaviour traits in selected lines of rats

Animal Behaviour ◽

10.1016/s0003-3472(81)80080-2 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 1267-1269 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

H. Fuemm ◽

P. Driscoll

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Selected Lines

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Does Nursing Behaviour of Sows in Loose-Housing Pens Differ from That of Sows in Farrowing Pens with Crates?

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12020137 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 137

Author(s):

Dierck-Hinrich Wiechers ◽

Swetlana Herbrandt ◽

Nicole Kemper ◽

Michaela Fels

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Natural Conditions ◽

Natural Behaviour ◽

Two Systems

Sows confined to farrowing crates are restricted in performing natural behaviour such as maternal behaviour. Loose-housing farrowing pens (LH) and farrowing pens with crates (FC) were compared regarding sows’ nursing behaviour via video analyses over four weeks per batch (one day per week). Nursing frequency was similar in LH and FC pens (1.25 ± 0.82 vs. 1.19 ± 0.75 nursings/sow/hour; p > 0.05). However, nursing duration differed between the two systems (LH: 5.7 ± 4.6 min vs. FC: 7.0 ± 5.0 min; odds ratio (OR) 1.168, p = 0.011). In LH pens, more nursing bouts were sow-terminated than in FC pens (OR 0.427, p = 0.001). The probability of sow-terminated nursing occurring increased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 3.479, adjusted p (padj) < 0.001), while that of observing unnursed piglets decreased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 0.301, padj < 0.001) and rose with increasing litter size (OR 1.174, p = 0.010). We conclude that nursing behaviour was affected by the farrowing system, with shorter nursing duration and more nursing terminations by the sow in LH than in FC pens. Since this corresponds to the nursing behaviour of sows in semi-natural conditions, it can be assumed that sows in LH pens are more likely to exhibit natural nursing behaviour.

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Influence of litter size and parity on maternal behaviour at parturition in Scottish Blackface sheep

Applied Animal Behaviour Science ◽

10.1016/s0168-1591(05)80071-1 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 345-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

C.E. O'Connor ◽

A.B. Lawrence ◽

D.G.M. Wood-Gush

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Maternal Behaviour

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Variability in the expression of maternal behaviour in primiparous sheep: Effects of genotype and litter size

Applied Animal Behaviour Science ◽

10.1016/s0168-1591(97)00148-2 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 58 (3-4) ◽

pp. 311-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

C.M. Dwyer ◽

A.B. Lawrence

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Maternal Behaviour

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Ewe and lamb behaviour at parturition in prolific and non-prolific sheep

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a96-014 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 9-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

M. H. Fahmy ◽

S. Robert

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Litter Size ◽

Contact Time ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Foetal Membranes ◽

Ewe Lamb

This study was conducted to investigate ewe and lamb behaviour at parturition in prolific and non-prolific sheep. Observations were taken on 16 Romanov (R), 16 Finnsheep (F) and 13 Suffolk (S) ewes at their first and second parturitions. Time intervals between displaying first signs of uneasiness and first contraction, rupture of foetal membranes bag and first contraction, sighting the first lamb and expulsion of the last lamb, and contact time between ewes and their litters were assessed and correlated with litter size, and litter weight at birth and at weaning. Romanov ewes had the largest litters (3.02), took longer to deliver (120.7 min), and interacted more with their lambs (30.9 min) after lambing. F and S ewes were similar in many behavioural traits despite significant differences in number and weight of lambs delivered. Prolific R and F ewes lambing single and twin lambs delivered them faster than S ewes with similar litter sizes. Duration of lambing was significantly correlated with ewe–lamb contact but only for the two prolific breeds (r = 0.51 and 0.76 for R and F, respectively). Ewe-lamb contact was also correlated with litter size (r = 0.83), litter weight at birth (r = 0.72) and at weaning (r = 0.47) but only in F ewes. For R, F, and S ewes lambing litters of one and two lambs, the average intervals between first sight of a lamb and its expulsion were 9.2, 20.8, and 25.8 min, the intervals between expulsion and standing were 37.0, 18.6, and 19.6 min, and between standing and suckling, 24.2,20.4, and 27.2 min per lamb, respectively. The average contact time between a ewe and each of her lambs was 13.1, 8.8, and 11.0 min, respectively. The corresponding intervals for R and F ewes lambing up to four lambs were 10.3 and 11.1, 43.3 and 21.4, 35.7 and 25.6, and 8.8 and 7.8 min (P > 0.05) per lamb, respectively. The data showed several differences between prolific and non-prolific sheep in behavioural traits at birth. Key words: Maternal behaviour: Lamb behaviour, Romanov, Finnsheep, Prolific sheep

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Pituitary and ovarian response to transient doe-litter separation in nursing rabbits

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/reprod/118.2.361 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 361-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

E Ubilla ◽

PG Rebollar ◽

D Pazo ◽

AI Esquifino ◽

JM Alvarino

Keyword(s):

Pituitary Gland ◽

Litter Size ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Major Effect ◽

Free Access ◽

Plasma Prolactin ◽

Follicular Waves ◽

Higher Sensitivity

The effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, FSH and oestradiol concentrations, as well as the effect on LH response to exogenous GnRH administered at the time of artificial insemination, were determined in nursing rabbits. The effects on fertility, and litter size after parturition, as well as litter survival after doe-litter separation, were also studied. Control does (n = 12) had free access to nursing, whereas biostimulated does (n = 12) were separated from their litters for 48 h before artificial insemination. Plasma prolactin concentrations were decreased 24 h after the doe-litter separation (P < 0.05). The response of prolactin to suckling reached 10 times the basal values measured on day 10 after parturition (P < 0.0001). Increased oestradiol concentrations were found during the 48 h after the doe-litter separation: at 0 h, before artificial insemination (P< 0. 0001), 1.0-2.0 h after artificial insemination (P < 0.001), at 2.5 h (P < 0.05), 3.0 h (P < 0.01), and at 3.5 h (P < 0.05) after artificial insemination. Exogenous GnRH administered at the time of artificial insemination caused a greater LH response in does previously separated from their litters during 48 h (P < 0.01). The transient doe-litter separation did not affect plasma FSH concentrations, fertility, litter size or litter survival. These results suggest that a transient separation of nursing does from their litters before artificial insemination results in a decrease in plasma prolactin concentrations that could promote growth of follicular waves, and high steroidogenesis activity, leading to increased oestradiol concentrations and inducing higher sensitivity of the pituitary gland to exogenous GnRH. These findings associated to the absence of suckling episodes would lead to higher LH response and, therefore, exert a major effect on fertility.

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Effects of Fetus Weight, Dam Strain, Dam Weight, and Litter Size on the Craniofacial Morphogenesis of CL/Fr Mouse Fetuses Affected with Cleft Lip and Palate

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1597/1545-1569_1997_034_0325_eofwds_2.3.co_2 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 325-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kazuaki Nonaka ◽

Yasunori Sasaki ◽

Yoshihisa Watanabe ◽

Ken-ichi Yanagita ◽

Minoru Nakata

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Cleft Lip ◽

Cleft Lip And Palate ◽

Craniofacial Morphology ◽

Strain Effect ◽

Craniofacial Growth ◽

Lateral Cephalogram ◽

Mouse Fetus ◽

Mouse Fetuses ◽

Craniofacial Morphogenesis

Objective: This study examined the factors related to the morphogenesis of the craniofacial complex of the CL/Fr mouse fetus affected with CLP based on the findings of a lateral cephalogram. Design: Embryo transfer experiments were performed to determine the effect of the fetus weight, dam strain, dam weight, and litter size on the intra-uterine craniofacial morphogenesis of CL/Fr mouse fetuses. On the 18th gestational day, each pregnant dam that had received CL/Fr mouse embryos was laparotomized to remove the transferred fetuses that had developed in the uteri of the cleft lip and palate (CLP)-susceptible CL/Fr strain dam and the CLP-resistant C57BL strain dam. A cephalometric observation of the craniofacial morphology of each fetus was subsequently performed. Results: Based on a multiple regression analysis, the standardized partial regression coefficients of the affected fetus weight, the dam weight, and the litter size on the maxillary size of the affected CL/Fr fetus were 0.71 (p < .01), 0.03, and −0.07. According to a least-squares analysis of variance, the dam strain effect in addition to the effect of the affected fetus weight on the maxillary size and the cranial size of the affected fetuses was significant (p < .01 for cranial size, p < .05 for maxillary size) and close to a significant level (p = .09) for the mandibular size of the affected fetuses. The adjusted maxillary size and cranial size after statistically eliminating the effects of the affected fetus weight, dam weight, and lifter size on each original craniofacial size of the affected fetuses that had developed in the CL/Er dam strain were also significantly smaller than those of the affected fetuses that had developed in the C57BL dam strain. Conclusions: The present results indicate that the craniofacial growth of the CL/Fr mouse fetus affected with CLP increased in proportion to the fetus weight. The dam strain effect, in addition to the effect of the affected fetus weight, could thus not be ignored when the etiology of the spontaneous CLP was examined, while the uterine environment, provided by the CL/Fr strain dam, retarded the intra-uterine craniofacial growth of the affected fetuses. It was therefore concluded that the dam strain effect, as well as the effect of the affected fetus weight, both play an important role on the craniofacial morphogenesis of the CL/Fr strain of the affected fetuses that developed in both strain dams.

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Breastfeeding Training through Role-Play and Effects on Mother-infant Attachment Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.25159/2520-5293/6232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Farokh Saljughi ◽

Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽

Shahnaz Kohan ◽

Soheila Ehsanpour

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Maternal Employment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Role Play ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Infant Attachment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.

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