Logo image
Back
Seasonal metabolic factors may be responsible for deaths in sheep exported by sea
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Seasonal metabolic factors may be responsible for deaths in sheep exported by sea

R.B. Richards, M.W. Hyder, J. Fry, N.D. Costa, R.T. Norris and A.R.B. Higgs
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol.42(2), pp.215-226
1991
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9910215
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Metabolic responses to persistent inappetance were studied in sheep transported by sea from Australia to the Arabian Gulf in May and August. In the May voyage inappetant sheep successfully mobilised fat and generated ketones to supply energy and few died (0.83%). However, in August, inappetant sheep failed to mobilise fat for more than a few days and the death rate was much higher (3.27%). The causes of death were similar in both voyages; approximately 65% of the deaths were due to inanition. We postulated that in May, sheep coming from dry pastures were nearing the end of a cycle of liveweight loss and were metabolically adjusted to using adipose reserves for energy. However, in August, sheep had entered a period of liveweight gain on green pastures and were consequently unable to sustain lipolysis for energy supply when inappetant.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#13 Climate Action

Source: InCites

Metrics

24 Record Views
16 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences
3.51.799 Farm Animal Welfare
Web Of Science research areas
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas
Agricultural Sciences
Logo image