151661 20251017144625.0 doi 10.1016/j.atech.2025.100869 sideral 143327 ART-2025-143327 eng Abecia, José A. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-2827-3054 Weaning reduces body temperature and heart rate, and increases heart rate variability in ewes 2025 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Weaning elicits strong responses in ewes and lambs, which makes it a significant welfare concern; however, limited and sometimes contradictory information is available on the physiological responses of dams at weaning. The aim of this study was to quantify the physiological changes in ewes that occur after weaning. Four days before weaning (d0), eleven lactating Rasa Aragonesa ewes received a surgically implanted subcutaneous body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR) biologger that had been programmed to take measurements every 15 min from d2 to d3. HR variability (HRV) variables were calculated based on the raw ECG data that were recorded every 5 min between 1700 and 1900 h. At 1130 h on the day of weaning, ewes and lambs were separated and housed in different barns. In the lactation period, ewes were fed a concentrate ration (1 kg of pellets) that was offered at 0800 h, 1 kg alfalfa hay, and barley straw ad libitum. After weaning, ewes were fed 0.5 kg barley straw, only. After weaning, BT and HR decreased gradually (P < 0.001), and HRV variables (SDNN and RMSSD) increased significantly (P < 0.001). The reductions in BT and HR in ewes after weaning seemed to be caused by the management procedures (detention of lactation and drastic reduction in feed offered) usually applied at weaning; however, the increase in HRV after weaning indicated recovery from stress, improved autonomic regulation, and welfare. HRV data collected by subcutaneous biologgers provided valuable insights into the physiological and emotional well-being of ewes at weaning. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/HORIZON EUROPE/101136346/EU/European Partnership Animal health and Welfare/EUPAHW info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by-nc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.es info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Canto, Francisco Viola, Irene Manenti, Isabella Toschi, Paola Miretti, Silvia 2008 700 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali. Área Producción Animal 10 (2025), 100869 [7 pp.] Smart agricultural technology 2772-3755 9075017 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/151661/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2614301 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/151661/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:151661 articulos driver 2025-10-17-14:23:47 ARTICLE