Abstract

PEREZ, Ricardo Vicente et al. Heat stress impacts in hair sheep production. Review. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.1, pp.205-222.  Epub June 11, 2020. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v11i1.4923.

In view of the problem of global warming and climate change, small ruminants may be key to maintain animal protein production since they are more heat stress tolerant than most other domestic animals. Hair breed sheep are known for their ability to grow and reproduce under conditions of high temperatures and low nutrient availability. Their adaptation to heat stress involves a complex interaction between thermoregulation mechanisms and the presence of genetic factors. These confer physiological plasticity to these breeds, allowing them to tolerate hot climates without drastically affecting their productivity. In Mexico, hair sheep are distributed in different climates throughout the country. The lack of strict reproductive seasonality in these breeds has allowed the sheep industry to maintain constant mutton production year-round. Very limited research has addressed hair breeds’ ability to produce under heat stress conditions. The present review describes the effects of heat stress on reproductive performance, lamb growth and thermoregulation in hair sheep breeds.

Keywords : Heat-adapted sheep; Hyperthermia; Homothermia; Sheep fertility; Hair breeds.

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