The ecological adaptability of cloned sheep to free-grazing in the Tengger Desert of Inner Mongolia, China

doi:10.15302/J-FASE-2014029

Front. Agr. Sci. Eng.

2014, Vol. 1

Issue (3) : 191-200 https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2014029

RESEARCH ARTICLE

The ecological adaptability of cloned sheep to free-grazing in the Tengger Desert of Inner Mongolia, China

Xinxin LI¹,Huijuan WANG^1,²,Guanghua SU¹,Zhuying WEI¹,Chunling BAI¹,Wuni-MENGHE²,Yanhui HOU¹,Changqing YU^1,²,Shorgan BOU^1,^*(

),Guangpeng LI^1,^*(

)

1. The Key Laboratory of National Education Ministry for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Herbivore Reproductive Biotechnology and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
2. The Inner Mongolia Rangeland Ecology Institute, Alashan 750306, China

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Abstract

Since the birth of the first cloned sheep, somatic cell nuclear transfer technology has been successfully used to clone a variety of mammals. Cloned livestock have no apparent health risks, and the quality and safety of the cloned animal products are similar to non-cloned animals. The social behavior and environmental adaptability of postnatal cloned animals, especially when used for grassland farm production purposes, is unknown. In the present study, the cloned Dorper sheep equipped with GPS location devices were free-grazed in a harsh natural environment similar to conditions commonly experienced by Mongolian sheep. The main findings of this research were as follows. (1) Under free-grazing conditions, the cloned sheep showed excellent climatic and ecological adaptability. In extreme temperature conditions ranging from -30 to 40°C, the cloned sheep maintained acceptable body condition and behaved as other sheep. (2) The cloned sheep quickly adapted from a herd feeding strategy to the harsh environment and quickly exhibited a grazing regimen as other free-grazing sheep. (3) The cloned sheep exhibited free-grazing patterns and social behavior as other sheep. (4) The cloned sheep in the harsh environment thrived and produced healthy lambs. Overall, the cloned Dorper sheep exhibited excellent ecological adaptation, which is an important consideration for breeding meat sheep by cloning. The Dorper sheep readily adapted to the free-grazing conditions on the Mongolian plateau grassland, which attests to their ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Keywords somatic cell nuclear transfer free-grazing synchronization Dorper sheep cloned animal ecology

Corresponding Author(s): Shorgan BOU,Guangpeng LI

Online First Date: 17 December 2014 Issue Date: 27 January 2015

Cite this article:

Guangpeng LI,Xinxin LI,Huijuan WANG, et al. The ecological adaptability of cloned sheep to free-grazing in the Tengger Desert of Inner Mongolia, China[J]. Front. Agr. Sci. Eng. , 2014, 1(3): 191-200.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/10.15302/J-FASE-2014029
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/Y2014/V1/I3/191

Fig.1 The cloned Dorper sheep free-grazing in the Tengger Desert of Inner Mongolia, China. (a) The cloned sheep on arrival at the sheepfold; (b) the sheep eating nearby the sheepfold during the first month; (c) the sheep equipped with GPS collar (indicated by the arrow); (d) the cloned sheep (indicated by the arrow) free-grazing with a flock of Alashan sheep.

Fig.2 The paths of the tracked cloned Dorper sheep on 16 March (red line) with traveling distance of 4.9 km (elevation range 1296–1364 m) and on 17 March (blue line) with traveling distance of 5.0 km (elevation range1283 –1307 m)

Fig.3 Average daily movement of the tracked cloned Dorper sheep checked twice per month

Fig.4 Daily distance traveled by the tracked cloned Dorper sheep from 16 March to 27 July 2011

Fig.5 GPS collar temperature recordings of the tracked cloned sheep and ambient air temperature from 16 March to 27 July 2011

Fig.6 Relationship between activity and ambient temperature of the tracked cloned sheep during hot weather on 15 June 2011

Fig.7 (a) The paths of the tracked cloned Dorper sheep with traveling distance of 14.7 km (elevation range 1296–1340 m) on 28 May; (b) the paths of the Alashan sheep with traveling distance of 14.4 km (elevation range 1273–1325 m) on 28 May; (c) the merged paths of the cloned Dorper ram (blue line) and the Alashan sheep (red line) traveling on 28 May.

Fig.8 The activity pattern of the tracked cloned Dorper sheep and Alashan sheep flock grazing on 28 May (from 8:00 to 18:00)

Fig.9 Comparison of grazing activity of the tracked cloned Dorper sheep (a) and Alashan sheep flock (b). T(p) red curve as temperature (°C) recorded in pressure/temperature sensor, T red curve as temperature ( °C ) recorded in temperature sensor; ACC x and ACC y and ACC z as acceleration in g recorded by 3-axis acceleration sensors.

Tab.1 Bodyweight of four cloned Dorper sheep at various times during a grazing study conducted in the Tengger Desert of Inner Mongolia, China

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