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Analysis of institutional authors

Pérez-Redondo, SaraAuthorCalvete, CarlosAuthorJoy, MargalidaAuthorCalvo, Jorge HugoAuthorLobon, SandraAuthor

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April 25, 2025
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Physiological responses of Rasa Aragonesa ewes to water restriction

Publicated to:J Anim Sci Technol. - 2025-04-14 (), DOI: 10.5187/jast.2025.e23

Authors: Pérez-Redondo, S., Calvete, C., Joy, M., Domínguez, A., Calvo, J. H., & Lobón, S.

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Abstract

Global climate change impacts livestock production, particularly in extensive or semi-extensive systems in semi-arid regions, due to the temperature increases and water scarcity. The aim of this study was to characterize the different physiological responses of Rasa Aragonesa ewes to water restriction. Two hundred and two ewes were challenged to total water restriction for 5 days. Temperature and relative humidity were measured to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI). According to the THI, ewes were also under heat stress conditions. Daily, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were also recorded. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1 and 5. Wool samples were collected on days 0 and 28. Blood samples were used for classic hematological and some biochemical parameters (total proteins, glucose, NEFAs, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and its sulphate (DHEA-S)). In the wool cortisol, DHEA and DHEA-S were also measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HC) were carried out to classify ewes according to their stress response. DMI, BW and BCS significantly lowered during the water stress period (p < 0.05). Most hematological and biochemical parameters were affected (p < 0.05), except for blood cortisol and the blood cortisol:DHEA-S ratio (p > 0.05). After HC analysis, ewes were classified into three clusters based on their stress tolerance. Cluster 1 (C1, n=168) included the most tolerant ewes, followed by Cluster 2 (C2, n=22) and Cluster 3 (C3, n=12), which was the least tolerant. The C3 ewes had the highest blood cortisol and non-esterified fatty acid mobilization, which were associated with the greatest BW loss. In conclusion, the stress conditions affected hematological and biochemical parameters in blood and wool. The majority of Rasa Aragonesa ewes generally demonstrated good tolerance to these stressors (C1, n=168), with only 34 ewes classified as less tolerant.

Keywords

Bienestar animalBioquímicaHematologíaOvinosPruebas de rendimiento

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal J Anim Sci Technol due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 12/170, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Veterinary Sciences.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-10-03:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 1 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10532/7589

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Pérez Redondo, Sara) and Last Author (Lobón Ascaso, Sandra).