Novel feeding systems to improve sheep health and production
Summary
This project addresses a novel means to increase profitability, health and immune status of sheep through a non hormonal/ non antibiotic natural feed supplement. This research proposal is based around the increasing demand for animal products that are green, clean and ethical. For the sheep producers, this means moving into new practices that do not involve chemical or hormonal treatments of animals, and practices that take into consideration the welfare of the animals. The use of agricultural by-products in sheep nutrition as an alternative to chemical compounds is becoming a new goal in sheep production.
Supervisor(s)
Dr Pietro Celi, Dr Alex Chaves, Professor Herman Raadsma
Research Location
Program Type
PHD
Synopsis
This project will establish the influence of oxidative stress on the immune response, and productive performance of sheep. Should oxidative stress prove to be involved in the regulation of health and reproductive status, the sheep industry will acquire the understanding and the technology to manage better sheep during their productive career. Considering the genetic influence on total antioxidant activity, there may be an opportunity to include this trait in selection programs. This research proposal seeks to ask questions relevant to the productive biology of sheep and will also produce useful information that will improve their nutritional management. The Australian sheep industry needs a long-term vision with clear goals, and a research and development program that will lead to those goals. The supplementation of the diet with antioxidants (by-products of the tomato, olive, fish and grape industry) has the potential to improve not only the health and production level of sheep but also to enhance the quality of milk enriching its concentrations in antioxidant compounds.
Additional Information
- The above opportunity also provides a framework to further develop more specific areas or research such as the impact of antioxidant supplementation on sheep productive performances; sheep health; lamb survival; ruminant physiology; etc.
- Recently 2 Honours students have completed their studies in related projects (Yerba Mate supplementation in ruminants).
- We have a vast experience in ruminant (cattle, goats and sheep) nutrition, production and reproduction. Our Lab also provides facilities to carry out oxidative status and metabolic profile analysis.
- Recently we have acquired a top of the range brand new spectrophotometer to specifically measure oxidative stress biomarkers in biological samples (blood, plasma, cell cultures, tissue biopsies, exhaled breath condensate).
- Please send CV and a statement relating your skills/interests specific to this project to: Dr Pietro Celi pietroc@camden.usyd.edu.au
- Overseas applicants, please clearly indicate availability of funds and/or institutional support to cover international tuition fees at The University of Sydney.
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Keywords
Sheep; antioxidant; oxidative stress; nutrition; wool production; lamb survival; immune system.
Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 942
Other opportunities with Dr Pietro Celi
- Peri-conceptional nutritional stress: effects on dairy cows' reproductive performances and consequences for progeny performance
- The benefits of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguanensis) in dairy rations on cows’ productive performances and their progeny
- Timing, nature, extent and impact of diseases on dairy goat health and production in Australia
Other opportunities with Dr Alex Chaves
- Supplementation of probiotic fibrolytic enzymes to improve the utilisation of fibre by ruminants
- Using the fuel crisis to relieve the drought: an evaluation of distillers grains as an environmentally sustainable ruminant feed
- Assessing the environmental and nutritional potential of using biodiesel by-products (arising from both food and non-food crops) as ruminant feed
- The benefits of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguanensis) in dairy rations on cows’ productive performances and their progeny
Other opportunities with Professor Herman Raadsma
- Genetic diversity assessment of the koala: applying novel genomic methods and assessing genetic exchangeability across the species range
- Conservation Genomics and the significance of adaptive variation in the Koala
- Koala Conservation management and integrated ecological modelling
- The benefits of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguanensis) in dairy rations on cows’ productive performances and their progeny
- Peri-conceptional nutritional stress: effects on dairy cows' reproductive performances and consequences for progeny performance