UNP-0006 THE USE OF SHEEP BREEDS RESISTANT TO INTERNAL PARASITES
UNP-0006, New Oct 1998. Julio E. Correa, Extension Animal Scientist, Associate
Professor, Soil, Plant and Animal Sciences, Alabama A&M University;
James G. Floyd, Extension Veterinarian, Professor, and Lisa
A. Kriese-Anderson, Extension Animal Scientist, Assistant Professor,
both in Animal and Dairy Sciences at Auburn University
The Use of Sheep Breeds Resistant to Internal Parasites |
Gastrointestinal parasitism is a major problem in sheep production worldwide.
A monetary value for losses from parasites is difficult to ascertain, but
it can be very substantial. This publication presents an approach that can
be used in combination with strategic deworming and good pasture management
to control internal parasites in sheep. This approach involves breeding
sheep for improved resistance to these parasites.
Loss of production, costs of dewormers, and animal death are some of
the major concerns associated with the widespread occurrence of infection
with internal parasites, particularly Haemonchus contortus (Figure
1). Chemical dewormers, or anthelmintics, are commonly used; however, internal
parasites are becoming increasingly more resistant to dewormers. In addition,
there is increasing awareness of environmental issues that may influence
the use of dewormers as more consumers demand animal products and pastures
that are free of chemical residues. Many consumers are now questioning the
widespread use of chemicals in animal production because of fears of human
food contamination. For these reasons, alternative approaches for controlling
internal parasites are being considered. Thus far, a vaccination against
gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants has not been found despite extensive
research.
|
|
Figure 1. Haemonchus contortus
is the gastrointestinal parasite of sheep that causes the most harm. |
It is unlikely that future methods of parasite control in the sheep industry
will rely on any single approach but will probably be combinations of several
approaches. To some extent, this is already happening with the combination
of strategic deworming and good pasture management.
Parasite Life Cycle
The life cycle of internal parasites in sheep begins when the sheep eats
the infective larvae on a blade of grass. Adult parasites stay in the abomasum
(true stomach) and lay tremendous numbers of eggs. Haemonchus contortus
requires 14 days to complete this part of the life cycle, while it normally
takes Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus spp. 21
days after the infective larvae are eaten for the adult to mature and start
to produce eggs. The eggs exit the host in the manure. The eggs then hatch
into larvae, and the infective larvae move from the manure onto the grass.
Conditions must be moist and warm in order for the eggs to hatch and move.
Figure 2 shows the life cycle of gastrointestinal parasites in sheep.
|
|
Figure 2. Life cycle of gastrointestinal
parasite. |
Breeding for Improved Resistance
Of the novel approaches to parasite control, breeding sheep for resistance
seems to be the most promising application that can be used to complement
the strategic use of dewormers and improved pasture management. Resistance
refers to the sheep's ability to suppress the establishment and/or development
of parasites. From an economic point of view, resistance allows sheep to
maintain existing levels of production even if they are infected. Australian
researchers have termed this ability to maintain levels of production as
"resilience."
There is a substantial body of evidence that supports variation among
breeds in resistance to internal parasites, particularly to Haemonchus
contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus spp.
For example, the Florida Native is much more resistant to Haemonchus
contortus than are the European breeds Rambouillet and Merino as well
as the Suffolk breed. In a more recent trial conducted at Alabama A&M
University, Ruvuna and Stephens (1997) observed that the egg per gram (EPG)
of feces was approximately eight times lower in Florida Native ewes than
in Suffolk ewes under natural conditions of infection (Figures 3 through
6). The resistance values of Florida Native and Suffolk in this trial suggest
that parasitic resistance may be improved through systematic crossbreeding
of these two breeds, and other breeds may be able to be crossbred or backcrossed
to the Florida Native to improve their resistance.
|
|
|
Figure 3. Mature purebred
Suffolk ram |
|
Figure 4. Mature purebred
Florida Native ram |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Figure 5. Mature purebred
Suffolk ewe |
|
Figure 6. Mature purebred
Florida Native ewe |
Because the Florida Native breed is relatively unimproved in terms of
production of wool or meat, it may not be readily accepted or utilized by
producers even if available. However, Albers et al (1987) concluded that
breeding for resistance to Haemonchus contortus may have positive
effects on the production capacity of Merinos. Currently, large international
surpluses of wool and meat as well as dwindling sheep market prices require
reduction in production costs. Breeders who choose to reduce costs by breeding
sheep with resistance to internal parasites are more likely to see cost
savings than those who choose to increase the genetic potential for more
wool or meat.
There is a substantial body of evidence that supports the fact that some
breeds are naturally more resistant to internal parasites in sheep than
other breeds are. For example, Scrivner (1964) showed that Targhee is more
resistant than Rambouillet is. Table 1 summarizes this information.
Table 1. Sheep Breed
Comparisons for Resistance to Internal Parasites
Resistant Breed |
Comparison Breed |
Parasite Species* |
Reference |
Targhee |
Rambouillet |
Osp, Nsp |
Scrivner (1964) |
Scottish Blackface |
Finn Dorset |
Hc |
Altaif & Dargie (1978) |
Border Leicester x Merino |
Merino |
Osp |
Donald et al (1982) |
Florida Native |
Rambouillet |
Hc |
Jilck & Bradley (1969) |
Florida Native |
Dorset x Rambouillet |
Hc, Tsp |
Zajac et al (1988) |
Florida Native |
Barbados |
Hc |
Courtney et al (1985a) |
Florida Native |
Suffolk |
Hc |
Ruvuna & Stephens (1997) |
Red Maasai |
Merino
Corriedale
Hampshire |
Hc |
Preston & Allonby (1978) |
Red Maasai |
Dorper |
Hc |
Baker et al (1994) |
* Hc: Haemonchus contortus
Tsp: Trichostrongylus species
Osp: Ostertagia (Teladorsagia) species
Nsp: Nematodirus species |
There is evidence that selection for resistance to internal parasites
of sheep is feasible. Producers could reduce costs by breeding sheep such
as the Florida Native or Florida Native crosses that are resistant to internal
parasites (Figures 7 and 8). A possible short-term alternative could be
the use of independent culling levels to select for internal parasite resistance
traits. A performance recording system that can handle the collection of
measurements of internal parasite resistance would be a critical component.
|
|
|
Figure 7. Yearling purebred Florida
Native ram |
|
Figure 8. 2-1/2-month-old crossbred
ram lamb (Suffolk ram x Florida Native ewe) |
The most important issue producers need to face is the requirement of
withholding dewormers from animals so that genetic variation for host resistance
can be manifested. However, since research has shown that genetic resistance
of sheep to internal parasites is not able to develop until 5 months of
age (Gray et al, 1992), young lambs (1 to 6 months of age) would need to
be dewormed. Moreover, since the natural resistance ewes have decreases
when they are pregnant, they should be given a deworming treatment about
2 weeks before lambing. This practice will prevent placing very young lambs
in a dangerous parasite environment resulting from the natural periparturient
(prelambing) rise in fecal eggs.
Fecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) of blood are measurements
that can be used as a way to monitor parasite infection in lambs and in
ewes just before lambing and during lactation. FEC is both a repeatable
and heritable trait and does respond to selection (Baker et al, 1992). Ideally,
each time FEC or PCV is measured, a larval culture should be taken to provide
an approximate indication of which parasite species are present. Sheep producers
may negotiate with a local veterinary practice for the lab work to be done.
Most small animal veterinary practices have the necessary equipment and
conduct these tests on pets.
For information about producers of resistant sheep breeds, contact Mr.
Charlie Thompson, Alabama Lamb, Wool, and Mohair Association, 193 County
Road 162, Lexington, AL 35648 (256) 229-6929.
Sources
Albers, G.A.A., G.D. Gray, L.R. Piper, J.S.F. Barker, L.F.
Le Jambre and I.A. Barger. 1987. The genetics of resistance and resilience
to Haemonchus contortus infection in young Merino sheep. International
Journal for Parasitology. Vol. 17, No. 7, pp. 1355-1363.
Baker, R.L. 1991. Breeding for disease resistance--some
historical perspectives, problems and prospects. Proceedings of the New
Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 51, pp. 1-13.
Baker, R.L., A. Lahlou Kassi, J.E.O. Rege, L. Reynolds,
Tekelye Bekele, E. Mukassa-Mugerwa and B. Rey. 1992. A review of genetic
resistance to endoparasites in small ruminants and an outline of ILCA's
Research Programme in this area. Proceedings of SR-CRSP Science Workshop.
Vol. 10, pp. 79-104.
Baker, R.L., D.M. Mwamachi, J.O. Audho and W. Thorpe. 1994.
Genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Red Maasai
sheep in Kenya. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Genetics Applied
to Livestock Production. Contributing paper. pp. 1-5.
Gray, G.D., I.A. Barger, L.F. LeJambre and P.G.C. Douch.
1992. As cited by Gray, G.D. 1997. The use of genetically resistant sheep
to control nematode parasitism. Veterinary Parasitology. Vol. 72,
pp. 345-366.
Gray, G.D. 1997. The use of genetically resistant sheep
to control nematode parasitism. Veterinary Parasitology. Vol. 72,
pp. 345-366.
Gruner, L. and J. Cabaret. 1988. Resistance of sheep and
goats to helminth infections: a genetic basis. In: E.F. Thomson and F.S.
Thomson (eds.), Increasing Small Ruminant Productivity in Semi-arid Areas.
Printed in the Netherlands.
Ruvuna, F. and C.M. Stephens. 1997. Genetics of resistance
to internal parasites with management therapy to utilize anthelmintics in
sheep production. Abstracts of the Eleventh Biennial Research Symposium.
Association of Research Directors, Inc. pp. 92-93.
Strickland, J.E. 1991. Internal Parasite Control in Sheep.
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences/Cooperative
Extension Service. Bulletin 1064.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
|
If you have problems loading
this document, please email publications@aces.edu
for assistance.
Publications Homepage | ACES Homepage
|