Pinpointing genes relating to variations in milk production could help breed animals resilient to warming conditions, a study suggests. Image Some Chios sheep are more resilient than others to seasonal temperature fluctuations. Dairy sheep in the Mediterranean could be bred to retain productivity in a changing climate, research has shown. Some Chios sheep, whose milk is used to produce feta and other cheeses, are more resilient than others to temperature fluctuations throughout the seasons, a study has shown. Groups of genes may enable some sheep to remain productive in hot and cold conditions, according to the research involving scientists from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the Roslin Institute. Selecting sheep with those genes for breeding could help flocks adapt in the region, which is vulnerable to climate change. Large-scale study Scientists created a mathematical model of resilience to fluctuations in climate, based on records of milk productivity, time of lambing and weather throughout the seasons. Data relating to almost 40,000 ewes was used for the study, collected by the Chios Sheep Breeders’ Cooperative ‘Macedonia’ in Greece. Some animals responded better than others to temperature fluctuations in hot or cold conditions, with some hardly being affected by changes, analysis found. Ewes’ resilience to hot or cold temperatures depended on the season in which they had produced lambs, scientists observed. Animals that had lambed in spring generally responded better to hot conditions. Beneficial genes Resilience may be linked to groups of genes and inherited traits may enable farmers to use selective breeding to mitigate against climate change, the findings from the first study of its kind indicate. Researchers used their data modelling to categorise sheep according to their resilience to hot and cold conditions for the three lambing seasons – autumn, winter and spring. Future studies could focus on specific genes associated with resilience to temperature fluctuations in individual animals. This insight could inform how to optimise breeding selection for this trait, alongside other desirable characteristics such as reproductive potential. Our findings have implications for selectively breeding animals with genes that enable resilience to changing climates and for farm management, such as the time of year when ewes are bred. Professor Georgios BanosSRUC and the Roslin Institute The study, published in Scientific Reports, was carried out within the Horizon 2020 research project iSAGE “Innovation for Sustainable Sheep and Goat Production in Europe (679302)”, coordinated by the Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, AUTH. Our aim in iSAGE was to identify challenges and opportunities and make the European sheep and goat sectors more sustainable, competitive and resilient. In this study, working together with industry, we propose strategies addressing future climate challenges that are applicable in practice. Professor Georgios ArsenosProject coordinator, AUTH ** The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. ** Related links Scientific publication TB insights may help breed healthier African cattle Breeding for disease resilience is cost-effective Gene map to aid studies of key traits in sheep
