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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Assessment of genetic variation for pathogen-specific mastitis resistance in Valle del Belice dairy sheep

José M. YáñezBaldassare PortolanoScott NewmanCristian LarrondoMaria Teresa SardinaMarco Tolone

subject

0301 basic medicineVeterinary medicineResistanceSheep DiseasesMastitisBreedingBiologyPlant disease resistancemedicine.disease_causeGenetic correlationEwe03 medical and health sciencesSettore AGR/17 - Zootecnica Generale E Miglioramento GeneticoStreptococcal InfectionsGenetic variationmedicineAnimalsUdderPathogenDisease ResistanceSheepMastitiGeneral VeterinaryStreptococcusPathogen0402 animal and dairy scienceGenetic VariationStreptococcusEwes; Mastitis; Pathogen; Resistance; Veterinary (all)04 agricultural and veterinary sciencesGeneral Medicinemedicine.diseaseveterinary(all)040201 dairy & animal scienceMastitisDairying030104 developmental biologymedicine.anatomical_structureTraitVeterinary (all)FemaleEwesResearch Article

description

Background: Mastitis resistance is a complex and multifactorial trait, and its expression depends on both genetic and environmental factors, including infection pressure. The objective of this research was to determine the genetic basis of mastitis resistance to specific pathogens using a repeatability threshold probit animal model. Results: The most prevalent isolated pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS); 39 % of records and 77 % of the animals infected at least one time in the whole period of study. There was significant genetic variation only for Streptococci (STR). In addition, there was a positive genetic correlation between STR and all pathogens together (ALL) (0.36 ± 0.22), and CNS and ALL (0.92 ± 0.04). Conclusion: The results of our study support the presence of significant genetic variation for mastitis caused by Streptococci and suggest the importance of discriminating between different pathogens causing mastitis due to the fact that they most likely influence different genetic traits. Low heritabilities for pathogen specific-mastitis resistance may be considered when including bacteriological status as a measure of mastitis presence to implement breeding strategies for improving udder health in dairy ewes.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2016-01-01
10.1186/s12917-016-0781-xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10447/195023