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Assessment of genetic variation for resistance to mastitis in Valle del Belice dairy sheep: a survival analysis approach

Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Posters (The Westin Bayshore)
Marco Tolone , Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
José M Yáñez , University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Anna M Sutera , Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Luisa M Scatassa , IZS della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
Baldassare Portolano , Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Abstract Text:

Mastitis resistance is a complex trait whose expression depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Selecting for increased genetic resistance represents one strategy for controlling infectious diseases in dairy farms. However, knowledge of genetic variation for mastitis resistance is needed to determine the feasibility of including this trait into the breeding goal. A total of 2,126 individual records were used to estimate genetic parameters of resistance against mastitis due to major (MAJINF) and minor (MININF) pathogens. We used a Cox frailty proportional hazard model to analyze the time to first event of infection. The heritabilities for MAJINF and MININF were 0.11 and 0.05, respectively. Results presented here indicate the presence of low genetic variation of resistance against mastitis in Valle del Belice dairy sheep. This information will be useful for establishing strategies for controlling mastitis by selective breeding.

Keywords:

Mastitis

Genetic variation

Dairy sheep

Survival analysis

See more of: Posters: Sheep and Goats Breeding (Group 2)
See more of: Species Breeding: Sheep and goats
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