Controlling parasitic worms with genetic selection

Scientists at the University of Guelph consider drug-free alternatives to control harmful parasites in sheep

2013-12-19

(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jenny Ryan
jenny.ryan@nrcresearchpress.com
Canadian Science Publishing (NRC Research Press)
Controlling parasitic worms with genetic selection Scientists at the University of Guelph consider drug-free alternatives to control harmful parasites in sheep Helminths are gastrointestinal parasitic worms that have become a major concern and source of economic loss for sheep producers around the world. A new article published today in the Canadian Journal of Animal Science reviews current research into a promising alternative to control the disease.

According to the paper, the sheep industry has become dependent on drugs to control these parasites. Over time these drugs are less effective as helminths become resistant to the drugs. Therefore, there is pressure on the industry to find alternate strategies. One such strategy is genetic selection. Certain breeds of sheep are more immune to helminths than the conventional breeds used in Canada, and a breeding program that aims to pass on this resistance trait could help to control the disease and ultimately limit production losses attributed to helminth infection.

A key advantage to applying genetic selection rather than chemicals to get rid of the worms is that it is permanent and it could help reduce the potential risk of chemical residues in products made for human consumption. This is key for the public as well as the sheep industry.

"With today's developments in genomic selection, breeding sheep for helminth resistance can be achieved efficiently, without adversely affecting other economically important traits," explained Niel Karrow, lead author of the paper, a researcher at the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock at the University of Guelph.

"We believe that breeding for helminth resistance, when combined with good biosecurity and pasture management practises, will greatly help to control against production losses due to gastrointestinal parasites."

### The article "Genetics of helminth resistance in sheep" was published e-first today in the Canadian Journal of Animal Science.

DOI: 10.4141/CJAS2013-036

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Deciphering the secret of the sugar beet

2013-12-19

Deciphering the secret of the sugar beet Scientists from Germany and Spain announce the sequence of the sugar beet genome This news release is available in German. An international team of researchers from Bielefeld University, Germany, ...

Integrated approaches to customize fungal cell factories

2013-12-19

Integrated approaches to customize fungal cell factories Described in Industrial Biotechnology Journal New Rochelle, NY, December 19, 2013—The natural ability of certain fungi to break down complex substances makes them very valuable ...

Monthly appointments with pharmacists improve medication adherence

2013-12-19

Monthly appointments with pharmacists improve medication adherence Patients are more likely to take chronic medications when they meet monthly with pharmacists to coordinate medication schedules and treatments, according to a Virginia Commonwealth University ...

MRI method for measuring MS progression validated

2013-12-19

MRI method for measuring MS progression validated New imaging research from Western University (London, Canada) has demonstrated that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) can be an important tool for ...

Study confirms target of potent chronic leukemia drug

2013-12-19

Study confirms target of potent chronic leukemia drug COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC ...

High-dose cytarabine improves outcome in patients with AML in EORTC-GIMEMA AML-12 Trial

2013-12-19

High-dose cytarabine improves outcome in patients with AML in EORTC-GIMEMA AML-12 Trial Results of the EORTC and GIMEMA (Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell' Adulto) AML-12 Trial appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show that high-dose ...

A new role for milk: Delivering polyphenols with anti-cancer activity

2013-12-19

A new role for milk: Delivering polyphenols with anti-cancer activity Milk can serve as a protective carrier of bioactive molecules, suggests report in the Journal of Dairy Science® Philadelphia, PA, December 19, 2013 – Polyphenols found in tea manifest anti-cancer ...

Corn pest decline may save farmers money

2013-12-19

Corn pest decline may save farmers money Populations of European corn borer (ECB), a major corn crop pest , have declined significantly in the eastern United States, according to Penn State researchers. The decline suggests that the use of genetically modified, ECB-resistant corn ...

Breaking the cycle of obesity, inflammation and disease

2013-12-19

Breaking the cycle of obesity, inflammation and disease ANN ARBOR—Researchers at University of Michigan have illuminated an aspect of how the metabolic system breaks down in obesity. The findings provide additional evidence that a drug entering clinical trials ...

Chewing gum is often the culprit for migraine headaches in teens

2013-12-19

Chewing gum is often the culprit for migraine headaches in teens Tel Aviv University study finds that 87 percent of teens who quit chewing experience significant relief Teenagers are notorious for chewing a lot of gum. The lip smacking, bubble popping, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Gene classifier tests for prostate cancer may influence treatment decisions despite lack of evidence for long-term outcomes

Association of waist circumference with all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities in diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2018