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The genetic control of IgA activity against Teladorsagia circumcincta and its association with parasite resistance in naturally infected sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2002

S. A. J. STRAIN ,
S. C. BISHOP ,
N. G. HENDERSON ,
A. KERR ,
Q. A. MCKELLAR ,
S. MITCHELL  and
M. J. STEAR
S. A. J. STRAIN
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
S. C. BISHOP
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS
N. G. HENDERSON
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
A. KERR
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
Q. A. MCKELLAR
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ
S. MITCHELL
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
M. J. STEAR
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
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Abstract

Previous studies in deliberately infected sheep have shown an association between IgA activity against 4th-stage larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta and parasite growth, development and fecundity. The purpose of this research was to determine if these results could be confirmed in naturally infected sheep and to explore the hypothesis that plasma IgA activity could help to identify resistant lambs with shorter adult nematodes. Plasma IgA activity was skewed with most animals having relatively low levels of IgA activity. Plasma IgA activity was repeatable and highly heritable. Animals with increased IgA activity had lower egg counts and shorter adult female T. circumcincta. Therefore, under conditions of natural parasite challenge, plasma IgA activity may help to identify lambs resistant to T. circumcincta.

Keywords

sheepnematodaTeladorsagia circumcinctaIgAmarkerindicator trait
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 124 , Issue 5 , May 2002 , pp. 545 - 552
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press

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