ILCA had recently initiated a multidisciplinary research programme designed to investigate genetic variation in resistance to endoparasites in African breeds in sheep and goats. The work to be carried out in this SPG will address one of the objectives of the ILCA programme, that is, to investigate the mechanism of resistance as a means of identifying phenotypic markers associated with resistance. The outcomes of this research will be an improved understanding of immune mechanisms operating against the parasite. This knowledge can be applied towards identification of phenotypic markers which are more accurate measures of resistance (indicator traits), or be of use as predictors of resistance. In addition, this work will highlight those genes (candidate genes) which may be useful for subsequent molecular analysis. It is expected that marker assisted selection will facilitate the efficient incorporation of resistance to parasites into genetic improvement programmes in Australia and Africa.
The first year of the project focused on the assembly of equipment and capital items and to establish experimental techniques and procedures. The second year activities saw these techniques and procedures applied to an intensive screening program using Red Maasai(resistant) and Dorper(susceptible) breeds of sheep in Kenya. While there was an early setback with the outbreak of disease, and subsequent loss of lambs, considerable progress has been made in building collaborative links and developing immunological assays and procedures. Extra funding and a project extension was provided to allow a KARI scientist (Kenyan National) to visit Australia to broaden her skills base.
Links:
[1] http://www.aciar.gov.au/iarc/International Livestock Research Institute
[2] http://www.aciar.gov.au/programarea/Livestock Production Systems