The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning

Gibson, Michaela J.; Rogers, Chris W.; Pettigrew, Emma J.; Pain, Sarah J.; Dittmer, Keren E.; Herath, Hitihamy M. G. P.; Back, Penny J.

doi:10.3390/ruminants2010006

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The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning

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Hitihamy M. G. P. Herath

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Penny J. Back

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School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Brian J. Leury

Ruminants 2022, 2(1), 101-111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants2010006

Received: 8 November 2021 / Revised: 21 December 2021 / Accepted: 12 January 2022 / Published: 17 January 2022

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ruminants 2021-2022)

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Abstract

Growth rates associated with different artificial rearing systems have been thoroughly examined in many species. However, the effect of different rearing systems on bone morphology has not been described. The objective of this study was to examine differences in the bone mass and the relationship of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measures of bone with muscle area of ewe-reared lambs and artificially reared lambs. Lambs were opportunistically collected from a concurrent trial examining changes in ewe mammary glands during lactation. Thirteen lambs were artificially reared while the remaining nine were left on their dam. Measures of stature were taken throughout the six-week trial period. At approximately six weeks of age, the lambs were euthanized and the tibia was collected and scanned using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Artificially reared lambs had reduced live weight gain and an altered pattern of stature growth. There was no effect of treatment on bone morphology (p > 0.05), but ewe reared lambs had a greater cortical bone content to muscle area ratio than artificially reared lambs (0.06 vs. 0.15, respectively). Differences in growth between ewe reared lambs and artificially reared lambs emphasizes the importance of adequate preweaning nutrition for livestock production systems that routinely use artificial rearing systems. View Full-Text

Keywords: bone; artificial rearing; tibia; lamb; bone strength; pQCT

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gibson, M.J.; Rogers, C.W.; Pettigrew, E.J.; Pain, S.J.; Dittmer, K.E.; Herath, H.M.G.P.; Back, P.J. The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning. Ruminants 2022, 2, 101-111. https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants2010006

AMA Style

Gibson MJ, Rogers CW, Pettigrew EJ, Pain SJ, Dittmer KE, Herath HMGP, Back PJ. The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning. Ruminants. 2022; 2(1):101-111. https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants2010006

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gibson, Michaela J., Chris W. Rogers, Emma J. Pettigrew, Sarah J. Pain, Keren E. Dittmer, Hitihamy M.G.P. Herath, and Penny J. Back. 2022. "The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning" Ruminants 2, no. 1: 101-111. https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants2010006

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The Effect of Artificial Rearing on Live Weight Gain and Bone Morphology of the Tibia in Lambs Prior to Weaning

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