Genetic Variation on the Control of Resistance to Infectious Diseases in Small Ruminants for Improving Animal Productivity

Farmers in developing countries, due to the pressure for higher animal output and to the “advantages” of small number of highly specialized breeds from the developed world have been replacing or crossbreeding their local breeds with exotic animals for many years. The genetic improvement has been quite successful in many places; however, neglecting or upgrading indigenous animals with exotic breeds is deteriorating genetic diversity.

Much of the genetic biodiversity controls advantageous traits influencing adaptability to harsh environments, productivity, or disease resistance. However, these indigenous animals are underutilized in conventional breeding programmes, due to a lack of knowledge and failure to identify breeds and animals carrying the most advantageous traits. There are indigenous breeds with some degree of enhanced resistance as compared to exotic ones reared in the same environment, especially for gastrointestinal nematode infections. Therefore, the present CRP is aiming, through genomic studies using radiolabeled nucleotides in DNA hybridization, DNA characterization, and hybrid mapping procedures for identifying molecular markers of economic interest which will open possibilities in the future to select and breed animals for enhanced resistance to diseases. The CRP will also aim to develop capacity in developing countries in the use of molecular and related technologies and create opportunities for international research collaboration