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Genetic variability in resistance to gastro-intestinal strongyles during early lactation in Creole goats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

N. Mandonnet ,
A. Menendez-Buxadera ,
R. Arquet ,
M. Mahieu ,
M. Bachand  and
G. Aumont
N. Mandonnet*
Affiliation:
Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, Domaine Duclos, 97170 Petit-Bourg, French West Indies
A. Menendez-Buxadera
Affiliation:
Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, Domaine Duclos, 97170 Petit-Bourg, French West Indies
R. Arquet
Affiliation:
INRA, Domaine expérimental de Gardel, 91120 Le Moule, French West Indies
M. Mahieu
Affiliation:
Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, Domaine Duclos, 97170 Petit-Bourg, French West Indies
M. Bachand
Affiliation:
Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, Domaine Duclos, 97170 Petit-Bourg, French West Indies
G. Aumont
Affiliation:
Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, Domaine Duclos, 97170 Petit-Bourg, French West Indies
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The study was undertaken in a Creole goat flock at INRA-Gardel in Guadeloupe, to evaluate the opportunity to use artificial selection as a means of controlling gastro-intestinal infection during early lactation. The flock grazed all year on Digitaria decumbens pastures. Faecal and blood samples were taken from kids at 11 months of age and from does at kidding before drenching (week 0) and at weeks 4 and 6 after kidding. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were estimated using a modified McMaster method. Blood samples were used to determine packed cell volume (PCV) and eosinophil concentrations (EOS) values. Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum were the main strongyle species identified in faecal cultures. The data came from 1092 litters obtained from 688 does sired by 142 bucks and 413 dams. Variance and covariance components for genetic and residual effects were estimated with multivariate animal models using the restricted maximum likelihood VCE package. Repeatability and overall heritability for FEC during the post-partum period were 0·17 and 0·10±0·02. The genetic correlations between FEC and PCV were −0·56±0·11 at 4 weeks after kidding and −0·79±0·13 at 6 weeks after kidding. The genetic correlations between FEC and EOS were 0·37±0·15 at 4 weeks after kidding and 0·68±0·17 at 6 weeks after kidding. Hence, does that contributed least to pasture contamination during the postpartum period also had low EOS and high PCV breeding values. The genetic correlations between FEC measured at 11 months of age and FEC during periparturient period ranged from 0·57±0·12 to 0·76±0·16. Therefore, breeding goats for increased resistance during the post-weaning period will lead to a less marked and less persistent rise in doe FEC during early lactation. The epidemiological implications of this selection have to be quantified in terms of lower pasture contamination, lower kid parasitism, and higher milk production of does.

Keywords

genetic parametersgoatsNematodaresistance
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 82 , Issue 3 , June 2006 , pp. 283 - 287
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2006

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