PHYSIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC ISSUES FOR TOLERANCE TO HEAT STRESS IN SUBTROPICAL SHEEP AND GOATS RAISED IN HOT DRY AREAS | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Animal Production | ||
| Article 4, Volume 62, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 37-47 PDF (437.75 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejap.2025.325255.1091 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Adel Aboulnaga* ; Shaimaa Mohamed; Rasha Ahmed; Layaly Gamal; Mohmed Shafie | ||
| Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Near East region is getting warm at a faster rate than the global average. Egypt is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (CC). Local livestock are facing significant challenges in regulating their physiological functions under stressful hot dry conditions. The present article reviews studies conducted on tolerance of subtropical Egyptian sheep and goats breeds to heat stress (HS) under different hot and dry regions. Respiration rate (RR) increased significantly with HS and has been identified as a reliable measure for differentiating heat-tolerant local sheep. Changes in RR are less pronounced in local goats (which reflect better tolerance to HS) than sheep. Local goats adapt HS, primarily, by reducing their heat production, while local sheep rely on their respiration function to cope with HS. Body weight of subtropical sheep and goats are related to their thermoregulation capacity, heavy weight animals are less suited to hot dry environment. Genomic analyses have identified several genomic regions associated with adaptation of local sheep and goats to hot dry conditions. Their adaptation is mediated by a complex network of genes that function together rather than relying on single candidate genes. Adaptation strategies to environmental stress in hot dry areas reported by the breeders, include precision feeding to enhance feed efficiency, improving farm facilities and innovative breeding promoting well adapted animals and enhance the resilience of local sheep and goats breeds in hot dry areas. Future research in arid areas, should emphasize their molecular mechanisms that underlie heat tolerance to hot dry conditions. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Subtropical sheep and goats; heat stress tolerance; hot dry environments; physiological adaptations; genomic analysis | ||
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