Genetic Resistance of Creole Goats to Cowdriosis in Guadeloupe Status in 1995

Abstract

A genetic predisposition to resistance (R)/susceptibility (S) has been demonstrated for cowdriosis in certain goal lines. In order to identify genetic markers of R/S and to follow their transmission to the offspring, 4 groups of sires and dams were crossbred in 1991, 1992, and 1993: Rr, RS, SR, and SS. The offspring were challenged at the age of six months with subsequent challenge of the S parent. From 28 presumed S dams, 7 turned out R and from 2 presumed S sires, 1 was R and the other undefinable. The resistance rate was 76% for 21 RR kids and 45% for 20 RS kids. The R character seems to be better transmitted by dams than the S one. No difference was observed between R and S goats in terms of incubation period and body temperature level after challenge. There was no statistical effect found of sex, litter size, or birth mass on the R/S character; only a slight effect on daily mass gain was observed. Sperm has been collected from 4 S sires (died after challenge) and 5 R sires, and stored in liquid nitrogen in order to conceive additional SR and SS progeny. Several caprine leucocyte antigens seem to be genetic markers of R (Be 1, CLY) and of S (Be 9, Be 22, Be 23). Further powerful tools like microsatellites and probes defining other interesting loci possibly involved in disease pathogenesis are now at hand and will be included in future experiments.

Association studies using random and “candidate” microsatellite loci in two infectious goat diseases

“…The difference of allele frequencies at the MHC class II loci, DRBP1 and DYA, between the resistant and susceptible groups in the Cowdriosis population study indicated a possible influence of the MHC region as we also demonstrated by serological MHC class I typing in a previous study [4]. The detected association could not be demonstrated in family material up to now.…”

“…For the Cowdriosis study, a total of 82 unrelated (37 classified resistant, 45 susceptible) experimentally challenged animals [4] with Cowdria ruminantium were tested. In the nematode resistance study, a total of 155 multiparous, lactating French alpine goats (2-4 years old) were naturally pasture-infected, predominantely with the parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis.…”

“…The detected association could not be demonstrated in family material up to now. Through the cross-breeding programme [4], originally started by the Cirad/EMVT, it was not possible to generate sufficient offspring for statistical analyses of the respective resistant/susceptible groups. Two of the included presumed "susceptible" sires, originating from a non-endemic area had to be classified "resistant" after challenge.…”

“…In addition, we tested microsatellites of the Bovidae origin located next to "candidate" genes of interest. By studying infectious diseases with immunogenetic and immunopathological components, such as Cowdriosis [4] and gastro-intestinal Nematode infection [5] in goats, we looked for microsatellites linked to genes controlling immune mediators such as the cytokines Interleukine 4 (IL4) [1] and Interferon-gamma (INFg) [7], playing a possible role in disease pathogenesis. Microsatellites linked to immuno-relevant loci as the Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC) [2] and the VbetaT-cell receptor (TCRVβ) [3] locus were also included.…”

The Application of Genomic Technologies to Investigate the Inheritance of Economically Important Traits in Goats

“…The variability of goat MHC class I proteins has been linked to resistance to the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus infection, a disease that causes joint inflammation and lameness in adults and encephalitis in kids [112]. Other diseases where MHC polymorphisms may play an important role in the development of an appropriate immune response are cowdriosis [113,114], trichostrongyliasis [115], and Johne's disease [116]. It should be emphasized, however, that the immunological basis of these associations has not been elucidated yet.…”