Modelling genetic selection for gastrointestinal parasites resistance in small ruminants

• Main Author: Assenza, Fabrizio
• Format: Others
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://oatao.univ-toulouse.fr/12172/1/assenza.pdf; Assenza, Fabrizio <http://www.idref.fr/181713543>. Modelling genetic selection for gastrointestinal parasites resistance in small ruminants. PhD, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, 2014

Abomasal nematodes are a major constraint to small ruminants industry worldwide. Recently their economic impact has increased due to the recrudescence of anthelmintic resistance among many parasite populations. Genetic selection might be a valid strategy for enhancing the efficacy of anthelmintics. We explored the genetic variability, in both sheep and goat, possibly available for a breeding plan featuring parasite resistance as its breeding goal. The results obtained in terms of heritabilities, genetic correlations and QTLs, suggest that the variation in the genetic pool of the population under study might comply with the requirements of a breeding goal including both parasite resistance and production traits. Furthermore, marker assisted selection could be a feasible option to enhance the selection response.