Genomics and disease resistance studies in livestock☆

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 affec...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Livestock Science
Main Authors: Bishop, Stephen C, Woolliams, John A
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4547482/
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.04.034
Description
Summary: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.