Searching for SNPs that affect sheep robustness: CYP17 SNP affects behavioural responses to psychological stress

Hough, D. , Cloete, S.W.P., Swart, P. and Cloete, J.J.E. (2013) Searching for SNPs that affect sheep robustness: CYP17 SNP affects behavioural responses to psychological stress. In: 20th Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics Conference, Napier, New Zealand, 20-23 Oct 2013, pp. 503-506.

Abstract

The ability of animals to adapt to stress is not only an animal health and welfare concern, but also influences reproduction potential and robustness. An important pathway involved in the stress response is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) that results in the release of cortisol from the adrenal gland. In this study the cortisol responses of South African Merinos were measured to assess HPAA responsiveness to stress and relate it to behavioural stress responses to flock-isolation. The experiment was structured according to a 2×2 statistical design, with CYP17 genotype (WT1/WT1 vs. WT1/WT2) and selection line (H-line vs. L-line) as factors. Selection line criteria was based on divergent selection for (H-line) or against (L-line) maternal multiple rearing ability, where the H-line generally outperformed the L-line in terms of reproduction, animal welfare and resistance to certain pathogens. The CYP17 genotype is involved in the biosynthesis pathway of cortisol. In the present study the CYP17 genotype showed a significant influence on behavioural stress responses, where three parameters of the flock-isolation test were affected (P<0.05), namely the number of bleats uttered, the urinating frequency and the average distance from a human operator. It is suggested that the CYP17 genotype affects behavioural responses via its effects on cortisol production, and that the SNPs located within the CYP17 genotype may have application in marker-assisted selection of sheep.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hough, Dr Denise
• Authors: Hough, D., Cloete, S.W.P., Swart, P., and Cloete, J.J.E.
• Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General); Q Science > QL Zoology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Research Group: Biochemistry Department, Stellenbosch University
• Copyright Holders: © 2013 Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors