Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are one of the major constraints for grazing sheep and goat production worldwide. Genetic selection for resistant animals is a promising control strategy. Whole-transcriptome analysis via RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) provides knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for complex traits such as resistance to GIN infections. In this study, we used RNA-seq to monitor the dynamics of the response of the abomasal mucosa of Creole goat kids infected with Haemonchus contortus by comparing resistant and susceptible genotypes. A total of 8 cannulated kids, 4 susceptible and 4 resistant to GIN, were infected twice with 10 000 L3 H. contortus. During the second infection, abomasal mucosal biopsies were collected at 0, 8, 15 and 35 days post-infection (dpi) from all kids for RNA-seq analysis. The resistant animals showed early activation of biological processes related to the immune response. The top 20 canonical pathways of differentially expressed genes for different comparison showed activation of the immune response through many relevant pathways including the Th1 response. Interestingly, our results showed a simultaneous time series activation of Th2 related genes in resistant compared to susceptible kids.
Highlights
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are an important constraint on grazing ruminants worldwide
This study aimed to investigate the kinetic changes in mucosal molecular pathways and immunity development of resistant and susceptible Creole kid goats in response to H. contortus
H. contortus infection induced a high number of Differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the mucosa of both resistant and susceptible animals whatever the time points while the numbers of DEG were much lower when comparing resistant versus susceptible animals at the different time points of infection
Summary
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are an important constraint on grazing ruminants worldwide. These parasites can cause mortality especially in small ruminants but their main effect is reduced productivity [1, 2]. Anthelmintic treatments are the mainstay of current treatment but are threatened by the evolution of drug resistance in parasite populations [3]. The environmental side-effect of anthelmintic residues is no longer desirable for sustainable production and the increased demand for chemical-free animal products. There is a need for additional control strategies. The introduction of resistance to GIN traits in small ruminants breeding
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
