Small ruminant genetic testing and diseases

Authors

  • Fauna Smith University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616

Keywords:

small ruminant, genetic testing, genetic mutations, production traits

Abstract

Genetic testing can play an important role in management of small ruminants. There are four classes of genetic testing cur­rently available to producers and veterinarians. Parentage identification allows keeping of accurate pedigrees, and there­fore evaluation of offspring for desirable production traits. Ge­netic markers for specific production phenotypes can help pro­ducers to select animal with desired production traits. There are several genetic diseases identified in sheep and goats. Genetic testing for known gene mutations associated with a disease phenotype can be used to control the prevalence of disease and any resulting production losses. Lastly, testing has been developed for genetic mutations that have been identified that confer increased resistance to certain diseases. Increasing commercial availability of genetic testing for small ruminants has become an integrated part of herd management.

Downloads

Published

2021-10-09

Issue

Section

AASRP Small Ruminants Sessions