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Nutritional Strategies to Alleviate Heat Stress in Sheep

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Sheep Production Adapting to Climate Change

Abstract

Heat stress is the most intriguing factor negatively influencing sheep production. Heat stress management in sheep requires multiple strategies. There are several recent research findings which help to understand the hidden intricacies of nutritional intervention ameliorating the effects of heat stress in sheep. Applications of feed additives in particular were found to be the most widely adapted methodology to alleviate heat stress in an economical way. The commonly attempted feed additives include antioxidants, betaine, chromium, insulin mimics, and manipulation of concentrates to slow fermentation. These applications were either proved to be effective, or are currently being evaluated for their potency in reversing some of the effects of heat stress in sheep. Therefore, this chapter is an attempt to review different viable nutritional strategies to ameliorate heat stress in sheep.

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Dunshea, F.R. et al. (2017). Nutritional Strategies to Alleviate Heat Stress in Sheep. In: Sejian, V., Bhatta, R., Gaughan, J., Malik, P., Naqvi, S., Lal, R. (eds) Sheep Production Adapting to Climate Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4714-5_18

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