Small Ruminant Research最新文献

{"title":"Metagenomic analysis of dried lamb abomasa processed by different drying techniques and the production of traditional liquid rennet","authors":"Hasan Alptuğ Akgün ,&nbsp;Tuğba Kök Taş","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the first metagenomic analysis of lamb abomasum and investigates the effects of different drying methods (sun-drying and oven-drying) as well as kefir microorganisms on the microbial and technological properties of traditional liquid rennet. Fresh and dried abomasum samples were prepared utilizing the microbial diversity of kefir, and changes in pH, salt content, milk-clotting activity, and microbial populations were monitored throughout a 45-day preparation period. Metagenomic analyses were performed to assess the microbial diversity associated with abomasum and kefir supplementation. Metagenomic profiling revealed, for the first time, the rich microbial diversity of lamb abomasum. Kefir application enhanced microbial diversity, with <em>Lactobacillus parakefiri</em> becoming dominant while <em>Clostridium</em> species decreased. Drying methods influenced enzymatic activity, with sun-dried samples exhibiting higher milk-clotting activity. This study provides the first metagenomic profile of lamb abomasum, highlights the production potential of kefir-enriched rennet, and demonstrates the impact of different drying techniques on rennet quality. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable and innovative approaches in traditional cheesemaking.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Replacement of soybean meal with camelina meal in diet of fattening lambs: Influence on feed intake, performance and ruminal fermentation parameters","authors":"Zahra Jooshakipour ,&nbsp;Daryoush Alipour ,&nbsp;Mohammad Javad Abarghuei ,&nbsp;Hassan Aliarabi","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with different levels of camelina meal (CM) on feed intake, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and estimated microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) in fattening Grey Shirazi lambs. Thirty-two lambs (95.0 ± 10.0 days old; body weight of 28.5 ± 1.3 kg) were individually housed for 83 days. Experimental diets were Con (control, diet without CM), CM33 (diet containing 33 % DM of CM instead of SBM), CM66 (diet containing 66 % DM of CM instead of SBM) and CM100 (diet containing 100 % DM of CM instead of SBM). The DM, EE, NDFom, ADFom and ADL contents of CM were higher than in SBM and the ash, CP, NFC and ME contents were lower than those of SBM. There was a tendency for increased dry matter intake (DMI) and final BW in lambs nourished with the CM33 diet compared to the control diet (L = 0.053 and Q = 0.013 respectively). The highest values of gain and average daily gain (ADG) were observed in lambs consuming the CM33 diet (Q = 0.012 and Q = 0.0012). The 66 % CM diet enhanced feed conversion ratio (FCR) (Q = 0.041). Lambs fed the 33 % CM diet exhibited greater DM and OM digestibility than other groups (DM: L = 0.014, Q = 0.028; OM: L = 0.109, Q = 0.028). The pH, total VFA, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate levels did not differ between lambs fed SBM and different levels of CM (P &gt; 0.05). No significant variation was detected in ruminal NH₃-N production between lambs fed the CM33 or CM66 diets and those receiving the control diet. Lambs fed the 33 % CM diet showed a trend toward lower ruminal NH₃-N compared to those fed the control diet (L = 0.002, Q = 0.024). In lambs fed the 33 % CM diet, acetate concentration (C = 0.037), acetate:propionate ratio (C = 0.028), and methane production (C = 0.024) decreased, while propionate concentration increased (C = 0.022) compared to the control diet. Lambs receiving the CM33 diet exhibited a higher EMNS than those fed the control diet (Q = 0.038 and C = 0.011). Regarding SMB, CM inclusion at varying levels significantly diminished protozoal counts and subfamilies of <em>Entodiniinae</em> and <em>Diplodiniinae</em> (L &lt; 0.0001). The population of <em>Isotricha</em> (L = 0.011<em>)</em> and the subfamily of <em>Ophrioscolecinae</em> (L = 0.002) decreased only in the CM100 diet compared to the control diet. This study demonstrates that CM can replace SBM up to 100 % of dietary DM in lamb diets without compromising performance, with 33 % inclusion yielding optimal improvements in efficiency and sustainability. These findings, coupled with camelina's agronomic advantages in water-limited conditions, suggest that CM represents a sustainable alternative to SBM in ruminant production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107621"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145223258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of gestational age by developing formulae and assessing embryonic and fetal development by ultrasonic fetometry in Bangladeshi crossbreed (Jamunapari × Black Bengal) goats","authors":"Khadija Begum ,&nbsp;Md Ahaduzzaman ,&nbsp;Azizunnesa","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study was designed to estimate the gestational age (GA) and determine the appropriate parameters related to gestational stages in Jamunapari cross breed goats (Jamunapari × Black Bengal), conducted at Chattogram district, Bangladesh. For this purpose, six different gestational parameters [gestational sac diameter (GSD), gestational sac length (GSL), crown- rump length (CRL), trunk diameter (TD), bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and placentome diameter (PD)] were checked by ultrasonography at different stages of pregnancy. Goats (n = 150) were used for pregnancy diagnosis by trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Pregnancy was confirmed by the presence of amniotic fluid, fetal heartbeat, fetal ribs, femur, trunk etc. The gestational age was estimated statistically (EGA) and compared to actual GA (AGA). GSD, GSL, PD and CRL were significantly different between estimated and actual gestation age while PD did not vary significantly up to the second trimester of pregnancy. At early stage of pregnancy, GSD, GSL and CRL did not show significant variation between estimated and actual gestational age. PD and BPD in mid pregnancy while TD in late pregnancy were not significantly different between EGA and AGA. Significant relations were detected between actual pregnancy stage and certain parameters at different stages of pregnancy. The EGA, when calculated with a margin of ±1–5 days, did not significantly vary in estimating the expected date of delivery (EDD) across all measured parameters, except for TD when subtracting 1–5 days. The study concludes that GSD, GSL, and CRL are highly reliable for estimating gestational age in the first trimester; BPD, TD, and PD are reliable in the second trimester; and TD is most reliable in the third trimester. The EDD may vary by ±1–5 days when using the derived equations for all six parameters, but it may vary by ±4 days specifically when using TD measurements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal genetic variation reveals the origin of Arabian sheep and their introgression with African and Asian sheep","authors":"Nasser A. Al-Araimi ,&nbsp;Raed M. Al-Atiyat ,&nbsp;Agusto Luzuriaga-Neira ,&nbsp;João Pimenta ,&nbsp;José Melo-Ferreira ,&nbsp;Albano Beja-Pereira","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aimed to provide insight into the genetic diversity, phylogenetic history, and maternal origin of the native sheep populations from the Arabian Peninsula and test hypotheses regarding the possible introgression of mtDNA from Arabian Peninsula sheep into African and Asian populations. The mtDNA sequencing of 17 populations from Arabia and Africa was conducted, and mtDNA data on six populations from Asia and Africa were compared with our data. Measurements of genetic diversity indices (h and π) were higher for populations from the Arabian Peninsula than for those from Africa. Based on the estimated population structure, comparing pairwise <em>F</em>_<em>ST</em> and AMOVA values between Arabian and African populations indicated low genetic differentiation. According to phylogenetic relationship analysis (neighbour-joining (NJ) tree), the Arabian Peninsula sheep population sequences were grouped into four maternal haplogroups (HPGs): A, B, C, and E. Among these groups, HPG B was predominant, HPG A was the second most common HPG, and the remaining HPGs (C and E) exhibited lower frequencies in the studied Arabian sheep breeds. In addition, median-joining network analysis provided strong evidence of previous introgression between Arabian, African and Asian sheep, which might have arisen through seafaring trade or the migratory movements of ancient humans. Finally, Approximate Bayesian Computation support the colonization of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula via two colonization routes, an older one in the north and a more recent one in the south.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107636"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitogenomic characterization and phylogenetic insights into Attappady Black goats of South India: Evidence of matrilineal affinity with Iranian bezoars","authors":"Marykutty Thomas ,&nbsp;Jinty Sukumaran ,&nbsp;P.M. Rojan ,&nbsp;M.R. Akhila ,&nbsp;J. Saalom King ,&nbsp;K.A. Bindu","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Attappady Black goats, reared by tribal communities in South India, have adapted to extensive grazing in mountainous forest ecosystems, undergoing natural selection-driven evolution. However, their genetic origins and phylogeographic history remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Attappady Black goats to elucidate their matrilineal ancestry, genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships. The 16,641 bp mitogenome exhibits the typical caprine mitochondrial architecture, comprising 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the coding region, including three non-synonymous SNPs, with two located in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COX3) gene and one in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6), suggesting potential functional implications. Additionally, a novel homoplasmic dinucleotide deletion was detected in the 16S rRNA gene. While most tRNAs exhibited a conserved cloverleaf secondary structure, tRNA-Lys lacked a complete D-arm and tRNA-Ser displayed a truncated D-arm, indicative of lineage-specific structural adaptations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a closer matrilineal affinity of Attappady Black goats with Iranian bezoars than with other domestic goat breeds, suggesting a distinct evolutionary lineage. These findings provide valuable insights into the mitogenomic diversity, structural adaptations and evolutionary history of Attappady Black goats, contributing to a deeper understanding of caprine domestication and phylogeography.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107627"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Income over loss: How management systems lower mortality and increase farm incomes from small ruminants in urbanizing Africa","authors":"Faizal Adams ,&nbsp;Amos Mensah ,&nbsp;Ebenezer Donkor ,&nbsp;Ayat Ullah ,&nbsp;Antoinette Simpah Anim-Jnr ,&nbsp;James Osei Mensah ,&nbsp;Seth Etuah ,&nbsp;Gifty Boakye Appiah","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small ruminant (sheep and goat) production is often promoted as low-labor and low-investment, yet empirical evidence on how management systems affect performance in urban and peri-urban contexts remains limited. This study investigates the determinants of management system choice among livestock farmers and evaluates the causal effects of these systems on mortality rates and farm income. Using data from 400 randomly sampled farmers in Ejisu and Juaben (Ashanti region, Ghana) during April–May 2024, we employed a multinomial logit model to analyze system adoption drivers. A multinomial treatment effect model further isolated the causal impacts of management systems on outcomes. Results indicate that 50.5 % of farmers use free-range systems, 30 % semi-intensive, and 20 % intensive systems. Key determinants for adopting semi-intensive or intensive systems over free-range include: gender, education, herd size, extension service access, primary occupation, religious affiliation, marital status, engagement in non-farm businesses, and market proximity. Critically, semi-intensive and intensive systems significantly reduced mortality rates and increased farm income compared to free-range systems. These findings demonstrate that targeted investments in livestock infrastructure (e.g., housing), veterinary services, extension support, and technical training can enhance productivity and economic returns for smallholders. To ensure sustainable urban small ruminant production, policies must be context-specific, accounting for the distinct requirements of each management system. Additionally, the extensive or free-range systems could be improved by adopting animal tethering on communal lands to reduce mortality rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107626"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145223128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systematic review on the impacts of community-based sheep breeding programs on animal productivity, food security, women's empowerment, and identification of interventions for climate-smart systems under the extensive production system in Ethiopia","authors":"Assemu Tesfa ,&nbsp;Mengistie Taye ,&nbsp;Aynalem Haile ,&nbsp;Zerihun Nigussie ,&nbsp;Dina Najjar ,&nbsp;Shigdaf Mekuriaw ,&nbsp;Suzanne van Dijk ,&nbsp;Shimels E. Wassie ,&nbsp;Andreas Wilkes ,&nbsp;Dawit Solomon","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review was conducted to appraise the impact of community-based sheep breeding programs in Ethiopia on animal genetic improvement, household food security, women’s empowerment, and to identify integrative climate-smart interventions. The review includes 51 documents from databases such as PubMed, AJOL, CAB Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, together with grey literature and institutional reports. Community-based breeding programs (CBBP) in Ethiopia provide a participatory approach that empowers farmers by addressing the limitations of crossbreeding and nucleus breeding programs. CBBP have brought significant improvements in growth and reproductive traits, food security, and women empowerment. Compared to baseline values, the intervention resulted in a 3.63 %, 5.6 %, 7.58 %, and 7.25 % improvement in birth weight, weaning weight, six-month weight, and yearling weight, respectively. Besides, litter size was improved by 0.09, and lambing intervals and age at first lambing were reduced by 21.31 days and 75.68 days, respectively. These gains has got translated into improved household livelihoods and food security through increased income from the sale of improved animals. Since 2019, seven women-led CBBPs comprising 486 members have been established, enhancing women’s participation in small ruminant breeding. For the implementation of small ruminant breeding, including CBBPs, 16 stakeholders with 34 linkages were identified. However, apart from research centers, kebele experts, and projects such as the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), most institutions have contributed little, largely due to unclear institutional frameworks. This gap has resulted in the malfunctioning of several CBBP villages. Despite notable achievements, the program continuous to face technical, financial, and institutional challenges persist. Strengthening CBBPs through the integration of climate-smart strategies remains critical for ensuring long-term sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107622"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145223127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and validation of stable reference genes for quantitative PCR in small ruminants under high-altitude hypoxic and tropical conditions","authors":"Mahanthi Vasu ,&nbsp;Sonika Ahlawat ,&nbsp;Reena Arora ,&nbsp;Rekha Sharma ,&nbsp;NH Mohan ,&nbsp;MA Mir ,&nbsp;Manoj Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a routinely-used technique for quantifying the expression of target genes across various tissues, as well as under different physiological and environmental conditions. The selection of suitable reference genes is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data interpretation in gene expression studies. At present, there are no suitable reference gene (RG) panels available for small ruminant populations reared in high-altitude hypoxic and tropical environments. Hence, this study aimed to identify a set of stably expressed reference genes from a pool of 18 candidates (<em>RPS9, BACH1, RPS15, GAPDH, PPIB, UXT, RPS28, PPIA, YWHAZ, RPLP0, ACTB, HPRT1, HMBS, SDHA, B2M, PGK1, RPL19,</em> and <em>TBP</em>) in four tissues (skin, muscle, heart, and lung) of sheep and goat populations reared at high-altitude and tropical conditions. The stability of these genes was evaluated using commonly employed statistical algorithms including geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, Delta Ct (ΔCt), and RefFinder. Consistent rankings were observed across different algorithms and RefFinder was subsequently utilized to provide a comprehensive ranking by integrating the outputs from different methods. Genes with higher stability rankings, like <em>B2M, PPIB, BACH1</em> and <em>ACTB</em> are more reliable and well-suited for accurate normalization. On the other hand, <em>RPS15, RPLP0,</em> and <em>TBP</em> genes were identified as the least stable, indicating their limited suitability for normalization purposes. Our findings were validated by conducting qPCR analysis on two target genes (<em>KRT18</em> and <em>KRT19</em>) using skin samples from sheep and goat breeds. On the basis of these results, we recommend <em>B2M, PPIB, BACH1</em> and <em>ACTB</em> as reliable internal control genes for qPCR studies involving small ruminant populations adapted to distinct altitudes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107651"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inbreeding and population structure in the Swedish Landrace goat and a signature of selection in the region of the casein genes","authors":"Bernadett Hegedűs ,&nbsp;Piter Bijma ,&nbsp;Anna M. Johansson","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Swedish Landrace goat is the most common dairy goat in Sweden. However, very few genetic studies have been done on this breed. This study therefore aimed to describe the population structure and the level of inbreeding. Forty-eight (48) samples from eight farms were studied with a medium density SNP chip. To study the population structure, a principal coordinate analysis and an admixture analysis were conducted. The level of inbreeding was investigated with three measures; observed heterozygosity, F_ROH and approximated coancestry. The results show that there is some structuring in the population and this structure is not solely due to the geographic location of these farms. The inbreeding level varies between the farms but is comparable to other European non-island goat populations. A potential signature of selection was identified on Chromosome 6 with ROH in the region of the casein genes. This is an important finding that shows that there have been selection for milk production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107650"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sweet and deproteinized sheep whey: A nutrient-rich coproduct with seasonal variability","authors":"Clarissa Detomi de Albuquerque ,&nbsp;Muriel Cerny ,&nbsp;Fabiana Luísa Silva ,&nbsp;Loubnah Belahcen ,&nbsp;Elodie Doutart ,&nbsp;Magali Peter ,&nbsp;Hélène Tormo ,&nbsp;Romain Valentin","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of sweet and deproteinized sheep whey across seasons. Whey type significantly affected composition, with deproteinized whey showing lower total solids (6.82 %) than sweet whey (7.64 %), primarily due to reduced protein (0.89 % vs. 1.56 %) and fat (0.19 % vs. 0.55 %) content. Both were lactose-rich (50 g/L). Seasonal variations were observed, with higher fat in summer and increased sugar in winter. Sheep whey consists primarily of saturated fatty acids (80 %), with polyunsaturated fatty acids (2.6 %) showing a favorable ω6/ω3 ratio (3.44–2.85) compared to cow whey (4.0). Seasonal diets influenced fatty acid composition, increasing MUFA in summer and SFA in winter. Essential (31,7 %) and branched-chain (19 %) amino acids were present, with proline and glutamic acid abundant. The study is limited to a single dairy over one year, and findings may not fully represent other dairies, breeds, or production conditions. These results highlight whey’s potential as a valuable cheese coproduct for innovative foods and sustainable artisanal sheep dairy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107635"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}