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    Intelligent Multi-Modeling Reveals Biological Mechanisms and Adaptive Phenotypes in Hair Sheep Lambs from a Semi-Arid Region


    Silveira, Robson Mateus Freitas, Ribeiro, Fábio Augusto, dos Santos, João Pedro, Fávero, Luiz Paulo, Tedeschi, Luis Orlindo, Alves, Anderson Antonio Carvalho, Sarti, Danilo Augusto, Primo, Anaclaudia Alves, Costa, Hélio Henrique Araújo, Ribeiro, Neila Lidiany, Reitenbach, Amanda Felipe, de Carvalho, Fabianno Cavalcante and Landim, Aline Vieira (2025) Intelligent Multi-Modeling Reveals Biological Mechanisms and Adaptive Phenotypes in Hair Sheep Lambs from a Semi-Arid Region. Genes, 16 (7). p. 812. ISSN 2073-4425

    Abstract

    Background: Heat stress challenges small ruminants in semi-arid regions, requiring integrative multi-modeling approaches to identify adaptive thermotolerance traits. This study aimed to identify phenotypic biomarkers and explore the relationships between thermoregulatory responses and hematological, behavioral, morphometric, carcass, and meat traits in lambs. Methods: Twenty 4-month-old non-castrated male lambs, with an average body weight of 19.0 ± 5.11 kg, were evaluated under natural heat stress. Results: Thermoregulatory variables were significantly associated with non-carcass components (p = 0.002), carcass performance (p = 0.027), commercial meat cuts (p = 0.032), and morphometric measures (p = 0.029), with a trend for behavioral responses (p = 0.078). The main phenotypic traits related to thermoregulation included idleness duration, cold carcass weight, blood, liver, spleen, shank, chest circumference, and body length. Exploratory factor analysis reduced the significant indicators to seven latent domains: carcass traits, commercial meat cuts, non-carcass components, idleness and feeding behavior, and morphometric and thermoregulatory responses. Bayesian network modeling revealed interdependencies, showing carcass traits influenced by morphometric and thermoregulatory responses and non-carcass traits linked to ingestive behavior. Thermoregulatory variables were not associated with meat quality or hematological traits. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex biological relationships underlying heat adaptation and emphasize the potential of combining phenomic data with computational tools to support genomic selection for climate-resilient and welfare-oriented breeding programs.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: advanced analytics; adaptation; phenotypic biomarker; meat traits; thermoregulatory responses;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Mathematics and Statistics
    Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Hamilton Institute
    Item ID: 21411
    Identification Number: 10.3390/genes16070812
    Depositing User: IR Editor
    Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2026 11:14
    Journal or Publication Title: Genes
    Publisher: MDPI
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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