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. 2014 Aug:166:190-198.
doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.04.034.

Genomics and disease resistance studies in livestock

Stephen C Bishop  1 , John A Woolliams  1
Affiliations

Genomics and disease resistance studies in livestock

Stephen C Bishop et al. Livest Sci. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

This paper considers the application of genetic and genomic techniques to disease resistance, the interpretation of data arising from such studies and the utilisation of the research outcomes to breed animals for enhanced resistance. Resistance and tolerance are defined and contrasted, factors affecting the analysis and interpretation of field data presented, and appropriate experimental designs discussed. These general principles are then applied to two detailed case studies, infectious pancreatic necrosis in Atlantic salmon and bovine tuberculosis in dairy cattle, and the lessons learnt are considered in detail. It is concluded that the rate limiting step in disease genetic studies will generally be provision of adequate phenotypic data, and its interpretation, rather than the genomic resources. Lastly, the importance of cross-disciplinary dialogue between the animal health and animal genetics communities is stressed.

Keywords: Bovine tuberculosis; Epidemiology; Genetics; Infection; Infectious pancreatic necrosis; Tolerance.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Definitions used in the paper are: Resistance is the ability of the host animal to exert control over the parasite or pathogen lifecycle; Tolerance is the net impact on performance of a given level of infection; Resilience is the productivity of an animal in the face of infection. The figure (from Bishop, 2012) shows a schematic representation of performance and level of infection (or some function that linearises the relationship between level of infection and performance). The regression slope represents Tolerance, point A indicates Resistance and point B represents Resilience.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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