The genetic control of IgA activity against Teladorsagia circumcincta and its association with parasite resistance in naturally infected sheep

SAJ Strain, SC Bishop, NG Henderson, A Kerr, QA McKellar, S Mitchell, MJ Stear*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous studies in deliberately infected sheep have shown an association between IgA activity against 4th-stage larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta and parasite growth, development and fecundity. The purpose of this research,,vas to determine if these results could be confirmed in naturally infected sheep and to explore the hypothesis that plasma IgA activity could help to identify resistant lambs with shorter adult nematodes. Plasma IgA activity was skewed with most animals having relatively low levels of IgA activity. Plasma IgA activity, was repeatable and highly heritable. Animals with increased IgA activity had lower egg counts and shorter adult female T. circumcincta. Therefore, under conditions of natural parasite challenge, plasma IgA activity, may help to identify lambs resistant to T. circumcincta.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)545-552
Number of pages8
JournalParasitology
Volume124
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2002

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • sheep
  • nematoda
  • Teladorsagia circumcincta
  • IgA
  • marker
  • indicator trait
  • OSTERTAGIA-CIRCUMCINCTA
  • ANTIBODY-RESPONSES
  • GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES
  • IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS
  • HAEMONCHUS-CONTORTUS
  • WORM LENGTH
  • EGG COUNTS
  • LAMBS
  • IMMUNITY
  • SERUM

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