Multitrait indices to predict worm length and number in sheep with natural, mixed predominantly Teladorsagia circumcincta infection

Mair, C. , Matthews, L. , Prada J. de Cisneros, J., Stefan, T. and Stear, M. J. (2015) Multitrait indices to predict worm length and number in sheep with natural, mixed predominantly Teladorsagia circumcincta infection. Parasitology, 142(6), pp. 773-782. (doi: 10.1017/S0031182014001905) (PMID:25586410) (PMCID:PMC4413790)

Abstract

Accurately identifying resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections requires the ability to identify animals with low and high intensities of infection. The pathogenic effects of nematodes depend upon both the length and number of worms, neither of which can be measured in live animals. Indices that predict these quantities are urgently needed. Monthly fecal egg counts, bodyweights, IgA concentrations and pepsinogen concentrations were measured on Scottish Blackface sheep naturally infected with a mixture of nematodes, predominantly <i>Teladorsagia circumcincta</i>. Worm number and average worm length were available on over 500 necropsied lambs. We derived predictive indices for worm length and number using linear combinations of traits measured in live animals. The correlations between the prediction values and the observed values were 0·55 for worm length and 0·51 for worm number. These indices can be used to identify the most resistance and susceptible lambs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mair, Dr Colette and Stefan, Mr Thorsten and Stear, Professor Mike and Matthews, Professor Louise and Prada Jimenez de Cisneros, Dr Joaquin
• Authors: Mair, C., Matthews, L., Prada J. de Cisneros, J., Stefan, T., and Stear, M. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Parasitology
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0031-1820
• ISSN (Online): 1469-8161
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Parasitology 142(6):773-782
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
62983	1	The influence of selective breeding on MHC diversity	Michael Stear	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/L004070/1	RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED
53676	1	Why some hosts have high parasite burdens and the implications for the design of sustainable control strategies	Louise Matthews	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOME)	091717/Z/10/Z	RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED