The$biology$of$maternal$behavior$...
Transcript of The$biology$of$maternal$behavior$...
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The$biology$of$maternal$behavior$in$sheep$and$goats $$
Natasha$Pe7for$Cornell$Department$of$Animal$Science$
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Maternal$bonding:$two$components$
• “SelecAvity”$– Only$in$some$species$– Exclusivity!$“My$offspring$and$only$my$offspring.”$
– No$milk$for$anybody$else!$
• “Responsiveness”$– Maternal$care$&$drive$• Nursing,$nurturing$• Acceptance$$
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Ecology:$Why$selec%ve$maternal$bonding?$
• Sheep$have$few$offspring$at$once,$but$live$in$a$large$social$group.$Ewes$rejoin$the$flock$within$days.$
• Maternal$bonding$evolved$to$maximize$survival$– Milk$is$a$precious$resource!$Save$it$for$your$lambs.$
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What$does$exclusive$bonding$look$like?$Ewes:$– Want$only$their$lamb(s),$and$reject$other$lambs$
• SomeAmes$with$surprising$aggression!$– Are$protecAve$of$their$lambs$– Are$quite$upset$when$their$lamb$is$removed$
• HighWpitched$distress$bleats$– Bond$strongly$(bond$is$hard$to$break!)$– Can$recognize$their$lamb$by$its$$voice$within$24$hours$
Lambs$– Aren’t$nearly$so$selecAve$– Can$recognize$mom$within$$a$few$days$
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When$does$bonding$happen?$• “SensiAve$period”$lasts$for$around$1$to$4$hours$a^er$birth$• Can$take$as$li_le$as$30$minutes$for$the$bond$to$form$
• This$is$why$we$use$jugs!$(Lambing/bonding$pens)$Or$give$ewes$plenty$of$space$out$on$pasture.$
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What$ewe$behaviors$are$important$for$bonding?$
• Licking$and$smelling!$
• Low$rumbling$noises$
• ReacAons$from$the$lambs$
• Nursing$
• Smell$smell$smell!$
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What$about$lamb$behaviors?$
• The$more$vigorous$the$lamb,$the$be_er!$– Louder,$more$bouncy$lambs$get$more$a_enAon$
• Some$breeds$tend$to$be$more$lively$as$newborns$• Difficult$births$make$for$less$vigorous$lambs$(and$ewes)$
• Nursing$–$good$for$lamb$and$ewe$alike$– Not$technically$necessary$for$bonding$but$very$helpful$
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AmnioAc$fluid$is$important!$
• Boosts$both$responsiveness$and$selecAvity$• FirstWAme$mothers$need$to$smell$amnioAc$fluid$for$proper$
bonding$– “Primiparous”$ewes$won’t$accept$a$washed$lamb$– Experienced$mothers$aren’t$as$dependent$on$AF$but$it$helps$
• AF$has$a$unique$“signature”$–$$goes$beyond$smell$• Primes$to$the$brain$to$learn$a$lamb’s$scent$
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The$importance$of$VCS$
• Vaginocervical-s/mula/on-• “Stretch$receptors”$–$nerves$in$the$birth$canal$send$signals$to$the$brain,$which$releases$oxytocin$
• FastWtracks$the$bonding$process$• Can$also$be$used$to$foster$a$new$lamb$or$kid$– Works$up$to$27$hours$a^er$parturiAon$
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What’s$going$on$behind$the$scenes?$
Hormones,$a$brief$descripAon$of$the$key$players:$$• Progesterone:$maintains$pregnancy$(and$much$more)$• Estradiol:$an$estrogen.$Promotes$growth$of$Assues$important$
for$estrous,$pregnancy$(and$also$does$much$more)$
• Oxytocin$–$the$“love”$hormone.$Also$contracAons,$lactaAon$
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What’s$going$on$behind$the$scenes?$
Hormones:$
From$Dwyer$(2013)$
Key--OT:$Oxytocin$OTR:$Oxytocin$receptor$$ERWα:$Estrogen$receptor$alpha$$LPV:$LowWpitched$vocalizaAons$$Others:$brain$regions$&$neurotransmi_ers$
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What’s$going$on$behind$the$scenes?$
From$R.$Nowak,$M.$Keller,$D.$ValWLaillet,$F.$Lévy$(2007)$$$
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When$does$bonding$fail?$
• Ewe$and$lamb$don’t$get$enough$Ame$together$– SeparaAon$shortly$a^er$birth$– LambWstealing$(“grannying”)$
• Inexperience$(fear!)$– First$Ame$mothers$
• GeneAcs$• Poor$nutriAon$during$gestaAon$• Stress$during$gestaAon$• Difficult/prolonged$delivery$• Ewe$temperament?$
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How$can$we$encourage$good$bonding?$• Save$your$energy$for$the$firstWAmers$
– Primiparas$may$benefit$more$from$longer$Ame$at$birth$site.$– Get$rid$of$failures$(a^er$given$proper$chances$to$succeed)$
• Allow$ewes$space$and/or$privacy$– More$crowded$pens$need$checked$more$o^en$
• Minimize$stressors$and$disrupAon$$– from$late$gestaAon$through$bonding$Ame$
• Ram$selecAon$
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Happy$Lambing!$