Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) threaten the productivity and health of sheep worldwide, prompting the need for genetic selection to reduce GIN susceptibility. Fecal egg count (FEC), packed-cell volume (PCV), and various production traits were examined in parasitized Rambouillet sheep and compared to sire FEC estimated breeding value (EBV). Rambouillet lambs (n = 77) were inoculated with 10,000 H. contortus L3 larvae. Subsequently, FEC, PCV, and body weight (BW) were captured at seven-day intervals for six weeks. Lambs were sired by one of two rams with post-weaning FEC EBV of −9% or +9%. Mean FEC differed (p = 0.0132) with lambs from the lower EBV sire (“Sire L”) being reduced, versus those from the higher EBV sire (“Sire H”), being 2135 ± 211 vs. 2912 ± 207 eggs per gram, respectively. Males and females did not differ for FEC, but females exhibited a higher mean PCV than males, (33.74 vs. 29.65%, p < 0.0001). Lambs were shorn ~120 d post artificial infection and wool measurements were captured. A negative correlation between FEC and grease fleece weight was observed. Our results describe the response of Rambouillet lambs to artificial H. contortus infection and suggest FEC EBV can reduce susceptibility to GIN in this breed.
Funder
United States Department of Agriculture - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Hatch
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献