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Detection of quantitative trait loci for internal parasite resistance in sheep. I. Linkage analysis in a Romney×Merino sheep backcross population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2010

S. DOMINIK ,
P. W. HUNT ,
J. McNALLY ,
A. MURRELL ,
A. HALL  and
I. W. PURVIS
S. DOMINIK*
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
P. W. HUNT
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
J. McNALLY
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
A. MURRELL
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
A. HALL
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
I. W. PURVIS
Affiliation:
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: Tel: 0061 2 6776 1376. Fax: 0061 2 6776 1333. E-mail: sonja.dominik@csiro.au
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Summary

This study aimed to identify putative quantitative trait loci (QTL) that significantly affect internal parasite resistance in a backcross sheep population. A Romney×Merino backcross (to Merino) flock was challenged in 3 separate infections with Trichostrongylus colubriformis (primary and secondary) and Haemonchus contortus (tertiary). Haematological parameters were measured and faecal worm egg counts (FWEC) were established to estimate parasite burden. QTL mapping was conducted for FWEC and for the changes in haematocrit following H. contortus challenge and in eosinophil numbers following T. colubriformis challenge. Animals were genotyped for 55 microsatellite markers on selected chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 15, 21, and 22. Four putative quantitative trait loci were found; these being for eosinophil change in the primary infection (OAR 21), for FWEC in the first infection and eosinophil change in the secondary infection (OAR 3) and for FWEC in the secondary infection (OAR 22). No significant quantitative trait loci were detected for FWEC or haematocrit change during the Haemonchus contortus infection. The position of the putative quantitative trait loci for eosinophil change on OAR 3 is consistent with other reports of parasite resistance quantitative trait loci, implying some commonality between studies.

Keywords

sheepquantitative trait locieosinophilserythrocytes
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 137 , Issue 8 , July 2010 , pp. 1275 - 1282
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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