Fusionspeptid-, Redox-, Viruscore- und sonstige Proteine. Alle analysierten Single ORF (SO)-VVOV Rekombinanten vermittelten einen signifikanten Schutz vor einer tödlichen Belastung mit Aujeszky-Virus. Zwei der Rekombinanten (SO 93-, SO 94-VVOV) enthalten ORFs, die für ATI/Fusionspeptid-Proteine kodieren. In SO 19- und SO 70-VVOV sind dagegen für Redoxproteine kodierende ORFs integriert. Weiterführende Untersuchungen zeigten, dass SO 94- und SO 19-VVOV in zwei weiteren Modellsystemen immunstimulatorisch aktiv sind. Im Baculo-Virussystem exprimierte Proteine waren nur in Kombination mit Vaccinia Lister-Virus (VV) wirksam. Dabei zeigten jeweils Virus-Protein-Gemische mit dem geringsten Proteinanteil den stärksten immunstimulatorischen Effekt. Proben in denen VV durch bovines Herpes-Virus-1 ersetzt wurde, sind dagegen nicht wirksam. Dies lässt auf eine Beteiligung VV-spezifischer Faktoren schließen. Übereinstimmend mit diesen Ergebnissen führte eine Frameshift-Mutation in ORF 94r von SO 94mut-VVOV nur zur Abschwächung und nicht zum vollständigen Verlust der immunstimulatorischen Wirkung. Beide in Schizosaccharomyces pombe exprimierten Proteine, sp-ORF19 und sp-ORF94r, induzierten keinen signifikanten Schutz im Aujeszky Maus Modell. Mit der Identifikation einzelner immunstimulatorisch aktiver PPVO-Komponenten ist es erstmals gelungen, den paramunisierenden Effekt von Parapox-Viren einzelnen viralen Genen zu zuordnen. Insbesondere stellen SO 94- und SO 19-VVOV viel versprechende Kandidaten für die prophylaktische bzw. therapeutische Anwendung in verschiedenen Indikationen als auch für weitere Untersuchungen des Wirkmechanismus dar.

Fusionspeptid-, Redox-, Viruscore- und sonstige Proteine. Alle analysierten Single ORF (SO)-VVOV Rekombinanten vermittelten einen signifikanten Schutz vor einer tödlichen Belastung mit Aujeszky-Virus. Zwei der Rekombinanten (SO 93-, SO 94-VVOV) enthalten ORFs, die für ATI/Fusionspeptid-Proteine kodieren. In SO 19- und SO 70-VVOV sind dagegen für Redoxproteine kodierende ORFs integriert. Weiterführende Untersuchungen zeigten, dass SO 94- und SO 19-VVOV in zwei weiteren Modellsystemen immunstimulatorisch aktiv sind. Im Baculo-Virussystem exprimierte Proteine waren nur in Kombination mit Vaccinia Lister-Virus (VV) wirksam. Dabei zeigten jeweils Virus-Protein-Gemische mit dem geringsten Proteinanteil den stärksten immunstimulatorischen Effekt. Proben in denen VV durch bovines Herpes-Virus-1 ersetzt wurde, sind dagegen nicht wirksam. Dies lässt auf eine Beteiligung VV-spezifischer Faktoren schließen. Übereinstimmend mit diesen Ergebnissen führte eine Frameshift-Mutation in ORF 94r von SO 94mut-VVOV nur zur Abschwächung und nicht zum vollständigen Verlust der immunstimulatorischen Wirkung. Beide in Schizosaccharomyces pombe exprimierten Proteine, sp-ORF19 und sp-ORF94r, induzierten keinen signifikanten Schutz im Aujeszky Maus Modell. Mit der Identifikation einzelner immunstimulatorisch aktiver PPVO-Komponenten ist es erstmals gelungen, den paramunisierenden Effekt von Parapox-Viren einzelnen viralen Genen zu zuordnen. Insbesondere stellen SO 94- und SO 19-VVOV viel versprechende Kandidaten für die prophylaktische bzw. therapeutische Anwendung in verschiedenen Indikationen als auch für weitere Untersuchungen des Wirkmechanismus dar.

Submitted by Cássio da Cruz Nogueira (cassionogueirakk@gmail.com) on 2017-05-05T15:48:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_RespostasTermoliticasQualidade.PDF: 2911339 bytes, checksum: 16606563db514b622fa794e8578b8b32 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2017-05-10T15:44:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_RespostasTermoliticasQualidade.PDF: 2911339 bytes, checksum: 16606563db514b622fa794e8578b8b32 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-10T15:44:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_RespostasTermoliticasQualidade.PDF: 2911339 bytes, checksum: 16606563db514b622fa794e8578b8b32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estudo visou aprofundar o conhecimento sobre as características anátomo-fisiológicas relacionadas à capacidade de perda de calor corpóreo e sua relação com a qualidade seminal de machos ovinos naturalizados ao ambiente tropical. Nove machos da raça Santa Inês (SIN) e sete da raça Morada Nova (MN) foram submetidos a dois experimentos. O primeiro ensaio compreendeu o monitoramento das características de pelame (quantidade de melanina, espessura de capa, comprimento e diâmetro dos pelos), da taxa de sudação, dos indicadores fisiológicos de conforto térmico (frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca, temperatura retal, temperatura de superfície de pelame, temperatura de epiderme e temperaturas superficiais escrotais) da qualidade seminal (concentração espermática, motilidade progressiva, integridade de membrana plasmática, defeitos maiores, defeitos menores e defeitos totais) e integridade do parênquima testicular aliados às variáveis metereológicas, aferidas ao longo do ano. A análise estatística foi realizada com uso dos procedimentos GLM e LSMEANS do programa SAS, versão 9.1.3. Diferenças significativas (P<0,05) foram observadas entre o verão e as estações mais amenas do ano (outono e inverno), havendo incremento dos parâmetros termolíticos durante a estação quente. Já a qualidade seminal não variou ao longo do ano. No segundo experimento, foi avaliada a capacidade de manutenção da homeotermia corpórea e testicular de ovinos naturalizados sob desafio térmico. Os animais foram submetidos ao teste de tolerância ao calor que consiste na manutenção do animal à sombra (período 1), seguida de exposição ao sol (período 2) e retorno à sombra (período 3). Nos três períodos foram aferidos: frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca, temperatura de superficiais de tronco, dorso, globo ocular e bolsa escrotal, por termografia infravermelha. O nível de adaptabilidade dos animais foi medido pelo índice de tolerância ao calor. A qualidade seminal e integridade de parênquima testicular foram avaliadas antes e após o desafio térmico. No Período 1, as variáveis apresentaram valores basais, em ambos os genótipos. No Período 2 observou-se incremento significativo das variáveis envolvidas na termólise (P<0,05), condizente com situação de desconforto térmico. No Período 3, as variáveis retomaram os valores basais, e algumas apresentaram valores mais baixos que os observados no Período 1. As variáveis seminais e ultrassonográficas não sofreram ação do insulto térmico. Conclui-se que ovinos MN e SIN apresentam eficientes mecanismos termolíticos que favorecem a preservação da funcionalidade gonadal, sendo considerados resilientes ao desafio térmico imposto em sistemas de produção em clima tropical. / The study aimed to deepen knowledge about anatomical and physiological features related to body heat loss ability and relation to semen quality of naturalized sheep Morada Nova and Santa Ines on tropical environment. Nine male Santa Inês and seven Morada Nova breed were subjected to two experiments. The first test included monitoring of coat features (amount of melanin, thick, length and diameter of the fibers), sweat rate, physiological indicators of thermal comfort (respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, surface temperature, skin temperature and scrotal surface temperature), sperm quality (sperm concentration, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, major defects, minor defects and total defects) and testicular parenchyma integrity coupled with the meteorological variables measured throughout the year. Statistical analysis was performed using the GLM and LSMEANS procedures of SAS software, version 9.1.3. Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed between the summer and fall and winter, with increase in termolitics parameters during the hot season. Already sperm quality did not vary throughout the year. The second experiment evaluated the capacity of rams to maintain body and testicular homeothermy under thermal challenge. Animals were subjected to heat tolerance test, which consists maintenance in the shade (period 1), followed by exposure to the sun (period 2) and return to the shadow (period 3). In the three periods were measured: respiratory rate, heart rate, body surface temperature, back, eyeball and scrotum, by infrared thermography. Adaptability of the animals was measured by heat tolerance index calculation. Sperm quality and testicular parenchyma integrity were evaluated before and after the heat challenge. In Period 1, the variables had baseline values for both genotypes. In Period 2, the variables involved in thermolysis significantly increased (P<0.05), which matches a thermal discomfort situation. In Period 3, the variables returned to baseline values and some values were lower than those in Period 1. Seminal and ultrasonographic variables did not share with thermal insult. It is concluded that MN and SIN rams had efficient thermolytic mechanisms that favor preserving gonadal functionality. The animals were considered resilient to a thermal challenge.

Får- och byggnadskroppsdelar - Handlingar och spatiala relationer kring byggnadsdeponeringar av får på Öland. Sheep and building body parts - Actions and spatial relations regarding buildingdeposits of sheep on Öland. Abstract This essay studies ten Ölandic examples of sheep bodies or sheep body parts deposited in Iron Agebuildings. In addition to literary works, the source material examined in the essay also consists ofunpublished sources and two osteological examinations, which were carried out as a part of thework on the essay (appendix 1 &amp; 2).The purpose of the essay is to study both the actions that become visible through the skeletalmaterial, and the possible presence of spatial patterns regarding the bone deposits. The work iscarried out using an action-theoretical approach. Furthermore, a comparative method is used toexamine the ten sites in relation to each other. The results from this are ambiguous. The thesis' mainconclusion is; 1) that the bodies of sheep was sometimes disintegrated on Öland during the IronAge, to be; 2) placed in a certain spatial proximity of the foundation of roof-supporting posts. Keywords: Öland, Iron Age, Ritual Deposits, Sheep, bodies, body parts, foundation, sacrifice, action-theory

Aufgabenstellung dieser Arbeit ist es, wichtige Hinweise zur Verbesserung der Betreuung von Ovis d. dalli, einer in menschlicher Obhut noch äußerst krankheitsanfälligen Tierart, zu erarbeiten. Dafür wird die Haltung von Ovis d. dalli in 3 deutschen zoologischen Gärten bezüglich der Häufigkeitsverteilung der klinischen Erkrankungen, der Todesursachen, der annualen Verteilung der Geburten, der Populationsdynamik, der Fütterung und der Gehegegestaltung untersucht. Weiterhin werden Referenzwerte für labordiagnostische Parameter bei klinisch gesunden Tiere gewonnen. Die Erkrankungshäufigkeit – Erk/Jahr – wird als Beurteilungskriterium für das klinische Herdengeschehen empfohlen. Die Gesamterkrankungshäufigkeit liegt bei 1,09 Erk/Jahr, wobei sich eine Zunahme der Erkrankungshäufigkeit während der Haltungsperioden nachweisen läßt. Der Vergleich der Erkrankungshäufigkeiten ergibt, daß die Schwerpunkte des klinischen Geschehens im Bereich des Digestionsapparates, des Bewegungsapparates und bei Weibchen im Abortgeschehen liegen. Als besonders schwerwiegendes Geschehen erweist sich die Paratuberkulose in 2 Beständen. Weitere bedeutungsvolle Krankheiten sind Chorioptesräude, Ostertagiose und systemische Infektionen der Jungtiere. Für eine Beurteilung der Schutzwirkung der Impfstoffe sind die Gruppen zu klein und zu viele ungeklärte epizootiologische Fragen offen, um eine eindeutige Aussagen treffen zu können. Die Besonderheiten der labordiagnostischen Parameter, die in den eigenen Untersuchungen bestimmt werden, bestätigen im wesentlichen die Werte von Untersuchungen aus der Wildbahn. Bei der Auswertung der Todesursachen stehen mit 37 % ebenfalls Störungen des Verdauungsapparates im Vordergrund. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt sind mit 29 % Störungen des Respirationsapparates, die im klinischen Geschehen eine unbedeutende Rolle spielen. In menschlicher Obhut und in der Wildbahn sind Pasteurella sp. maßgeblich am Pneumoniegeschehen beteiligt. Die meisten Verluste treten während der Aufzuchtphase auf, so daß die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit zu Beginn der Geschlechtsreife für Männchen bei 29,5 % und für Weibchen bei 40,3 % liegt. Der Konzentratfutteranteil der Fütterung sollte günstiger über den Tag verteilt und nicht als Erstfutter am Morgen verabreicht werden. Die Fütterung von Rauhfutter sollte in überdachten Raufen erfolgen. Der annuale Zyklus der Nahrungsveränderung in der Wildbahn – mit der Zielstellung der Senkung der Aufzuchtverluste – sollte durch höhere Rohproteinanteile in der Ration ab April wenigstens partiell simuliert werden. Die Verabreichung von Supplementen ist sorgfältig zu kontrollieren, um einen Abusus zu vermeiden. Die Analyse der Populationsdynamik hat die stetige Überalterung der Bestände ausgewiesen, die zu langsamen Generationsfolgen und zum Zusammenbruch von Populationen geführt hat. Für die wildbahnunabhängige Erhaltung von Ovis d. dalli in menschlicher Obhut ist es notwendig, mit dem stattfindenten Inzuchtprozeß gezielt umzugehen. Insbesondere ist zur Vorbeuge von hereditären Störungen eine Anpaarung mit nur einem Bock über einen längeren Zeitraum zu vermeiden. Bei der Gehegegestaltung sind komplizierte Aufbauten zu vermeiden, da sie möglicherweise ein erhöhtes Verletzungsrisiko in sich bergen. Als vorteilhalft werden Stallungen mit mehreren Zugängen, Sichtblenden durch Strukturierung des Geheges und Verhinderung des direkten Besucherkontaktes erkannt. Für die Reduzierung von Stressoren in der Herde – insbesondere während der Lammsaison – sind Muttergruppen nur während der Brunft gemeinsam mit geschlechtsreifen Böcken zu halten. / It is the goal of this study to research the important factors that would contribute to a better care of Ovis d. dalli – a species which is still rather prone to disease in human care. Therefore the keeping of Ovis d. dalli was studied in three German zoological gardens with respect to incidence rates, causes of death, annual distribution of births, population dynamics, feeding, and enclosure design. Furthermore, reference values for laboratory parameters in healthy animals could be gained. The incidence rate (cases of disease per annum) is recommended as criterion for the evaluation of the current health state of a flock. In this study the total incidence rate is 1.09 cases/annum, whereby an increase in the incidence rate could be documented for the periods of keeping. The comparison of incidence rates shows that the main areas of healthconcerns are located in the digestive system, the skeletal and muscular system, and in females abortions. As a particularly serious event paratuberculosis in two stocks needs to be mentioned. Further important disorders include Chorioptes mange, Ostertagia infection and systemic infection in young animals. Due to many unsolved epizootiological issues and too small groups, the evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccines defies definite and conclusive interpretation. The specific pattern of laboratory values, which were determined in the investigations of this study, confirm basically the values drawn from investigations in the wild. The analysis of deaths also shows that with 37 %disorders of the digestive system are a main area of concern. Another area of concern are disorders of the respiratory system with 29 %, which play a less important role in clinical cases. In human care as well as in the wild primarily Pasterurella sp. are involved in pneumonia cases. The highest losses occur during the rearing stage so that the probability of survival at the beginning of maturity is 29.5 % in males and 40.3 % in females. The portion of concentrated food in the feed should be better spread out throughout the whole day and not be given all at once with the first morning feed. The feeding of roughage should be offered in troughs with coverd shelters. In order to lower the number of lossses during rearing, the annual cycle of food changes in the wild should be at least partially copied by feeding higher portions of crude protein starting in April. The adding of supplements needs to be carefully controlled to prevent abuse. The analysis of population dynamics reveals a continuous increase in the percentage of old animals resulting in slower alternation rates of generations and the breakdown of populations. In order to keep Ovis d. dalli successfully in human care – independent from the wild, it is imperative to pay the current inbreeding the required attention. To prevent hereditary disorders it is particularly important to avoid breeding with only one ram over longer periods of time. Enclosure design should abstain from sophisticated structures because they seem to increase the risk of injury. As advantageous the following features could be identified: shelters with several entrances, structuring of the enclosure in such a way that visibility is limited and direct contact with visitores is prevented. To reduce stress in the flock, especially during lambing season, groups of ewes are to be kept with mature rams only during rutting season.

Changes in the abundance and distribution of free (drinking) water can influence wildlife in arid regions. In the western USA, free water is considered by wildlife managers to be important for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Nonetheless, we lack information on the influence of habitat and landscape features surrounding water sources, including wildlife water developments, and how these features may influence use of water by sexes differently. Consequently, a better understanding of differential use of water by the sexes could influence the conservation and management of those ungulates and water resources in their habitats. We deployed remote cameras at water sources to document water source use. For mule deer specifically, we monitored all known water sources on one mountain range in western Utah, during summer from 2007 to 2011 to document frequency and timing of water use, number of water sources used by males and females, and to estimate population size from individually identified mule deer. Male and female mule deer used different water sources but visited that resource at similar frequencies. On average, mule deer used 1.4 water sources and changed water sources once per summer. Additionally, most wildlife water developments were used by both sexes. We also randomly sampled 231 water sources with remote cameras in a clustered-sampling design throughout Utah in 2006 and from 2009 to 2011. In association with camera sampling at water sources, we measured several site and landscape scale features around each water source to identify patterns in ungulate use informative for managers. We used model selection to identify features surrounding water sources that were related to visitation rates for male and female bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Top models for each species were different, but supported models for males and females of the same species generally included similar covariates, although with varying strengths. Our results highlight the differing use of water sources by the sexes. This information will help guide managers when siting and reprovisioning wildlife water developments meant to benefit those species, and when prioritizing natural water sources for preservation or enhancement.

Many wildlife populations globally are experiencing unprecedented declines, and without accurate and precise estimates of abundance, we will not be able to conserve these vulnerable species. Remote cameras have rapidly advanced as wildlife monitoring tools and may provide accurate and precise estimates of abundance that improve upon traditional methods. Using remote cameras to estimate abundance may be less expensive, less intrusive, less dangerous, and less time consuming than other methods. While it is apparent that remote cameras have a place in the future of wildlife monitoring, research, and management, many questions remain concerning the proper use of these tools. In an effort to answer some of these questions, we used remote cameras to study a population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Utah, USA from 2012 to 2014. In Chapter 1, we compared methods using remote cameras against 2 traditional methods of estimating abundance. In Chapter 2, we evaluated the relationship between deployment time of cameras and proportion of photos needed to be analyzed to obtain precise estimates of abundance. We found that methods using remote cameras compared favorably to traditional methods of estimating abundance, and provided a number of valuable advantages. In addition, we found that remote cameras can produce precise estimates of abundance in a relatively short sampling period. Finally, we identified the optimal sampling period to produce precise estimates of abundance for our study population. Our findings can help researchers better utilize the potential of remote cameras, making them a more suitable alternative to traditional wildlife monitoring.

Many wildlife populations globally are experiencing unprecedented declines, and without accurate and precise estimates of abundance, we will not be able to conserve these vulnerable species. Remote cameras have rapidly advanced as wildlife monitoring tools and may provide accurate and precise estimates of abundance that improve upon traditional methods. Using remote cameras to estimate abundance may be less expensive, less intrusive, less dangerous, and less time consuming than other methods. While it is apparent that remote cameras have a place in the future of wildlife monitoring, research, and management, many questions remain concerning the proper use of these tools. In an effort to answer some of these questions, we used remote cameras to study a population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Utah, USA from 2012 to 2014. In Chapter 1, we compared methods using remote cameras against 2 traditional methods of estimating abundance. In Chapter 2, we evaluated the relationship between deployment time of cameras and proportion of photos needed to be analyzed to obtain precise estimates of abundance. We found that methods using remote cameras compared favorably to traditional methods of estimating abundance, and provided a number of valuable advantages. In addition, we found that remote cameras can produce precise estimates of abundance in a relatively short sampling period. Finally, we identified the optimal sampling period to produce precise estimates of abundance for our study population. Our findings can help researchers better utilize the potential of remote cameras, making them a more suitable alternative to traditional wildlife monitoring.

Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wurde nahe der Ortschaft Hemmoor (Niedersachsen) ein kaiserzeitlicher Urnenfriedhof entdeckt, aus dem die sogenannten Hemmoorer Eimer stammen. Die vorliegenden 32 Tierknochenreste wurden bei der anthropologischen Bestimmung der Knochenfunde aus sechs Eimern aussortiert. Das wichtigste Fundstück ist ein Hühnerknochenfragment, daß mit seiner Datierung in den Zeitraum zwischen dem Ende des 2. bis zur ersten Hälfte des 3. Jahrhunderts einen wichtigen Nachweis für den Beginn der Haltung dieses Hausgeflügels darstellt. Die weiteren Knochenreste stammen überwiegend von Schafen oder Ziegen. Die Altersbestimmung ergab, daß kaum eines der Tiere älter als zwei Jahre wurde. Bei diesen Stücken fiel auf, daß es sich zumeist um Skelettreste aus den unteren Beinabschnitten handelt, die nur wenig Fleisch tragen. / At the end of the 19th century close of the locality Hemmoor (Lower Saxony) an urn cemetery from the time of the Roman Iron Age was discovered, on that the so-called Hemmoor situla were found. The 32 fragments presented here were found during the anthropological examination of the cremated bone finds from six situlae. The most important piece of the finds is a chicken bone fragment dated into the period between the end of the 2nd up to the first half of the 3rd century. It represents an important evidence for the beginning of the animal husbandry of house poultry. The further bone remainders come predominantly from sheep or goats. The age determination resulted in that no one of the animals became hardly older than two years. In addition it was noticeable that most remainders come from the bones of the lower limbs. That bones carry not a lot of meat.

The cost of lamb mortality caused by cold exposure has been estimated at approximately 40 million dollars per year. This value is probably conservative as it does not include the cost due to the reduction in productivity in hypothermic lambs that manage to survive or the cost of reduced selection potential incurred by fewer lambs surviving until selection. The objectives of this research was to investigate whether sire-line variation exists in neonatal lamb cold tolerance and whether polymorphism in the β₃ adrenergic receptor gene can be used as a genetic marker for lamb cold tolerance and lean muscle growth. The influence of the climate, birthweight, age of dam at lambing, gender and birth rank on neonatal lamb cold tolerance was also analysed. Neonatal lamb mortality due to cold exposure was analysed in four field trials that used neonatal lamb morality from cold exposure as a predictor of neonatal lamb cold tolerance. Sire-line variation in neonatal lamb morality was observed in all trials, though it appeared that this effect was largely mediated through sire-line variation in lamb birth weight. Variation in lamb birth weight between birth rank classed was also found to be responsible for the influence of birth rank on neonatal lamb mortality due to cold exposure. The age of dam at lambing and the lamb gender was not observed to influence neonatal lamb mortality due to cold exposure. The sires from the cold tolerance study and the progeny of the lean muscle growth study were genotyped for the β₃ adrenergic receptor locus. Other studies have found evidence that a major gene exists in the catecholamine stimulation of brown adipose thermogenesis and evidence that the β₃-AR gene is a likely candidate. However, this hypothesis and the hypothesis that polymorphism in the β₃-AR gene is also linked to lean muscle growth in lambs was not confirmed in this study. So while it appears that the results were confounded by experimental design, there is evidence that influence of polymorphism in the ovine β₃ AR gene on neonatal lamb mortality and/or lean muscle growth is not sufficient to be considered a major gene effect. The implications of this experiment on the sheep industry and sheep farmers in general are huge. While completely eliminating lamb deaths due to inadequate cold tolerance is impossible, this study shows that large gains in lamb survival could be possible through selective breeding.