Genetic parameters for resistance to the <it>Salmonella abortusovis </it>vaccinal strain Rv6 in sheep

• Main Authors: Bouix Jacques, François Dominique, Weisbecker Jean-Louis, Brunel Jean-Claude, Lantier Isabelle, Boivin Roger, Gautier-Bouchardon Anne V, Berthon Patricia, Lantier Frédéric, Moreno Carole R, Elsen Jean-Michel
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: BMC 2003-03-01
• Series: Genetics Selection Evolution
• Subjects: genetic parameters; Salmonella; sheep; disease resistance
• Online Access: http://www.gsejournal.org/content/35/2/199

<p>Abstract</p> <p>An experimental population (1216 lambs from 30 sires) of the Inra401 sheep was created in an Inra flock to allow QTL detection for susceptibility to <it>Salmonella </it>infection, wool and carcass traits. The Inra401 is a sheep composite line developed from two breeds: Berrichon du Cher and Romanov. At 113 days of age on average, the lambs were inoculated intravenously with 10⁸<it>Salmonella abortusovis </it>Rv6 (vaccinal strain). They were slaughtered 10 days after the inoculation. Several traits were measured at inoculation and/or slaughtering to estimate the genetic resistance of the lambs to <it>Salmonella </it>infection: specific IgM and IgG1 antibody titres, body weight loss, spleen and pre-scapular node weights and counts of viable <it>Salmonella </it>persisting in these organs. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the genetic variability of the traits related to salmonellosis susceptibility. The heritabilities of the traits varied between 0.10 and 0.64 (significantly different from zero). Thus, in sheep as well as in other species, the determinism of resistance to <it>Salmonella </it>infection is under genetic control. Moreover, the correlations between the traits are in agreement with the known immune mechanisms. The genetic variability observed should help QTL detection.</p>