Genetic analysis of emotional reactivity in sheep: effects of the genotypes of the lambs and of their dams

Genetics Selection Evolution

Pierre Le Neindre³  Bernard Bibé²  Pascal Poindron¹  Pierre Orgeur¹  Jacques Bouix²  Alain Boissy³ 

[1] Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, UMR85 INRA-CNRS-HN-University, 37380 Nouzilly, France;Station d'amélioration génétique des animaux, INRA, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France;Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores ACS, INRA, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France

关键词: sheep;    social isolation;    human contact;    emotional reactivity;    genetics;   

Others  :  1094225
DOI  :  10.1186/1297-9686-37-5-381

 received in 2004-07-05, accepted in 2005-03-24,  发布年份 2005

【 摘 要 】

A total of 1347 weaned lambs from eight genotypes were tested over five consecutive years: Romanov (ROM) and Lacaune (LAC) pure breeds, the two F1 crossbreeds (RL and LR) and the offspring of ewes from these four genotypes sired with Berrichon-du-Cher rams (BCF). The lambs were individually exposed to three challenging tests involving novelty, human contact and social isolation. Ten synthetic variables were used to express social reactivity (i.e., active vs. passive strategy), exploratory activity and reactivity to humans. BCF crossbreds were more active (i.e., high bleats, locomotion and attempts to escape) than purebreds and F1. In contrast, ROM expressed more passive responses (i.e., low bleats and vigilance postures) than LAC and BCF crossbreds. In addition, ROM approached a motionless human less and had longer flight distances to an approaching human than did LAC and BCF crossbreds. When restrained, ROM, and to a lesser extent B×ROM and B×LR, avoided human contact more than did LAC, RL and B×LAC. Most of these differences were explained by direct additive genetic effects while maternal influences or heterosis effects were rarely significant. The highest heritability was for high bleats (h² = 0.48). Females were more active and avoided human contact more than did males.

【 授权许可】

   
2005 INRA, EDP Sciences