Carrier Lambs Research Articles

Evaluating the effects of the c.*1232G > A mutation and TM-QTL in Texel × Welsh Mountain lambs using ultrasound and video image analyses

The c.*1232G > A (MM) mutation in the myostatin gene and TM-QTL are two muscle-enhancing polymorphisms found on Chr 2 and Chr 18, respectively, in Texel sheep. Previous studies on purebred lambs and crossbred lambs out of Mule ewes showed that MM was associated with increased muscle mass and decreased fat content whereas heterozygous TM-QTL lambs had increased loin muscle (M. longissimus lumborum, MLL) depth as measured by ultrasound and increased MLL weight. Welsh Mountain ewes, like Mule ewes, contribute significantly to UK slaughter lamb production from the UK sheep industry's stratified structure. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the direct effects of MM and TM-QTL in the genetic background of Texel×Welsh Mountain lambs.Four Texel sires, all MM carriers and two TM-QTL carriers, were used to inseminate Welsh Mountain ewes. Of the 175 lambs born, 130 could be classified for TM-QTL genotype [107 non-carriers (+/+), 23 heterozygous carriers (TM/+)] and 172 for MM genotype [15 non-carriers (+/+), 129 heterozygous carriers (MM/+), 28 homozygous carriers (MM/MM)]. All lambs were weighed at 8 and ∼23weeks of age and were ultrasound scanned before being slaughtered at ∼24weeks of age. All carcasses were graded for conformation and fat class, based on Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) classification scores, and then scanned using a video image analysis (VIA) system to predict weight of carcass primal cuts and trimmed primal cuts, muscularity traits and carcass shape traits.Carrying two copies of MM was associated with a significant positive effect on 8 weeks weight, a negative effect on ultrasound fat depth and a substantial decrease in MLC-fat score. Two copies of MM also had a strong positive impact on VIA-estimated weight of the hind leg, chump and loin primal cuts, as well as the muscularity of the hind leg and loin regions with greater loin muscle width, depth and area. Homozygous MM carrier lambs had significantly wider carcasses across the shoulders, breast and hind legs and greater areas of the back view of the carcass when measured by VIA. Leg and carcass compactness were also significantly associated with the presence of two copies of MM. However, lambs carrying a single copy of MM were not significantly different to non-carriers in any of the traits measured. TM-QTL significantly increased ultrasound muscle depth and TM-QTL carriers had significantly greater loin muscle width and area measurements. Carcass weight did not differ significantly between genotypic classes for MM or TM-QTL. These results agree in general with other reports of the effects of MM and TM-QTL, in both direction and magnitude, on carcass traits.

The dynamic influence of the DRB1*1101 allele on the resistance of sheep to experimental Teladorsagia circumcincta infection

Suffolk sheep carrying the DRB1*1101 (previously referred to as-DRB1*0203 or G2) allele have been reported to show increased resistance to natural Teladorsagia circumcincta infection compared to non-carriers. The objective of this study was to compare the biochemical and physiological responses of DRB1*1101 carrier and non-carrier twin lambs to an experimental infection with 3 × 104 L3 Teladorsagia circumcincta. The variables studied included worm burden, faecal egg count, abomasal mast cells, IgA, IgE, IgG1 plus IgG2 and haematological parameters at 0, 3, 7, 21 and 35 days post infection (dpi), and duodenal smooth muscle contractility at 0 and 35 dpi. DRB1*1101 carrier lambs had significantly lower worm burden, higher mast cell and plasma platelet counts than the DRB1*1101 non-carriers (P < 0.05). Before infection, the non-carrier lambs exhibited significantly higher mucosal levels of all antibody isotypes measured compared to the carriers; these levels remained relatively stable over the course of infection in the non-carriers while there was a slow build up of these antibodies in the carriers up to day 21 post infection (pi). The DRB1*1101 non-carrier lambs had a significantly higher plasma lymphocyte count, and produced greater duodenal contractile force relative to the carrier lambs (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between genotypes in the level of plasma eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils or FEC. This evidence suggests that resistance conferred by DRB1*1101 is acquired rather than innate, depends on worm expulsion rather than fecundity and is dependent on mucosal mast cell proliferation, platelet activation, and IgA and IgE antibody responses.

A differential interplay between the expression of Th1/Th2/Treg related cytokine genes in Teladorsagia circumcincta infected DRB1*1101 carrier lambs

Substantial debate exists on whether the immune response between sheep resistant and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes can be differentiated into a Th1 and Th2 phenotype. The present study addresses the hypothesis that variation in resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta between DRB1*1101 (associated with reduced faecal egg count and worm burden) carriers and non-carriers is due to a differential interplay in the expression of Th1/Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) related cytokine genes. Lambs from each genotype were either slaughtered at day 0 (un-infected control) or infected with 3 × 104 Teladorsagia circumcincta L3 and slaughtered at 3, 7, 21, and 35 days later. Lambs carrying the DRB1*1101 allele had a significantly lower worm burden (P < 0.05) compared to the non-carriers. Abomasal mucosal cytokine gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and comparison made for time and genotype effects. The response generated varied through the course of infection and was affected by genotype. DRB1*1101 carriers had an up-regulated expression of the Th1-related cytokine genes (IL-1β, TNFα, and IFN-γ) at day 3, but this was replaced by an up-regulated expression of Th2-related cytokine genes (IL-10 and IL-13) and Treg-related cytokine genes (IL-2RA-CD25, TGFα, TGFβ, Arg2, MIF and FOXP3) by day 7. Conversely, in the non-carriers these changes in gene expression were delayed until days 7 and 21 post infection (pi), respectively. It is concluded that resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta in animals carrying the DRB1*1101 allele is influenced by an earlier interplay between Th1, Th2 and T regulatory immune response genes.

The effect of the Texel muscling QTL (TM-QTL) on meat quality traits in crossbred lambs

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) has been identified on chromosome 18 in Texel sheep (TM-QTL) that increases depth and area of the longissimus dorsi muscle. The study aimed to assess the pleiotropic QTL effects on key meat quality traits (toughness and intramuscular fat content after >or=7 days aging) of crossbred lambs carrying one copy of the TM-QTL. The results showed that male TexelxMule lambs carrying the TM-QTL had significantly less intramuscular fat (1.86% versus 2.25%) and higher toughness, with increased variation, in the loin muscle, compared to non-carrier males. Similar conclusions were obtained using two different types of tenderometer equipment: one using the Volodkevitch test (average shear force of 4.17 kgF or 40.9N for carrier males, 2.61 kgF or 25.6N for non-carrier males) and one using the MIRINZ test (average shear force of 6.18 kgF or 60.6N for carrier males, 5.22 kgF or 51.2N for non-carrier males). Although most toughness measurements were within published consumer acceptability limits, a few individual TM-QTL carrier lambs had unacceptably tough meat, despite enhanced post-slaughter processing. The TM-QTL did not significantly affect loin toughness in female lambs, leg toughness in either sex, or intramuscular fat content. These results should be considered, alongside direct effects of the TM-QTL on muscling and carcass composition, in recommendations for the use of this QTL by sheep breeders.

The effect of conditioning period on loin muscle tenderness in crossbred lambs with or without the Texel muscling QTL (TM-QTL)

A Texel muscling quantitative trait locus (TM-QTL) has been identified on chromosome 18, which increases loin muscling, but may also have a negative impact on mechanically-measured loin tenderness in crossbred lambs, depending on conditioning time. This study investigated the influence of a range of conditioning times (3, 5, 7 or 9 days) on the effect of TM-QTL on loin muscle tenderness. Using Texel rams heterozygous for TM-QTL, mated to non-carrier Mule ewes, heterozygous (n=45) and wild-type (n=50) crossbred lambs were produced. Weight of the valuable Longissimus lumborum muscle was higher in TM-QTL carriers than non-carriers, when compared at a fixed age (+11.5%; P=0.038), with the same trend at a fixed carcass weight (+10.2%; P=0.064). Toughness, measured by shear force, was significantly higher in samples from TM-QTL carriers than non-carriers, after conditioning for 3 days (P=0.002), 5 days (P=0.003) or 7 days (P=0.03), but was not significantly different after 9 days of conditioning (P=0.32). Compared to non-carrier lambs, the proportion of samples above consumer acceptability thresholds for toughness was greater in the TM-QTL carrier lambs after 3 and 5 days of conditioning, similar at 7 days, but lower at 9 days. The results suggest that the negative effect of TM-QTL on loin tenderness in crossbred lambs can be overcome by conditioning for more than 7 days. Marketing of TM-QTL carrier lambs through companies that use enhanced processing protocols could be beneficial, due to higher loin muscle weights, without negative effects on meat quality.

The effects of a loin muscling quantitative trait locus (LoinMAX™) on carcass and VIA-based traits in crossbred lambs

LoinMAX (LM) is a quantitative trait locus (QTL), which was found to be segregated in Australian Poll Dorset sheep, and maps to the distal end of sheep chromosome 18. LM-QTL was reported to increase Musculus longissimus dorsi area and weight by 11% and 8%, respectively. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the direct effects of LM-QTL in a genetic background typical of the stratified structure of the UK sheep industry, before it can be recommended for use in the United Kingdom. Crossbred lambs, either non-carriers or carrying a single copy of LM-QTL, were produced out of Scottish Mule ewes (Bluefaced Leicester × Scottish Blackface) artificially inseminated with semen from two Poll Dorset rams that were heterozygous for LM-QTL. Unexpectedly, one of these rams was also heterozygous for a QTL that affects the overall carcass muscling (MyoMAX™). This was accounted for by nesting MyoMAX™ status (carrier or non-carrier) within sire in the statistical analysis. Lambs were weighed and scanned by using X-ray computed tomography (CT) at an average age of 113 days. Ultrasound scan measurements, along with lamb weights, were taken at an average age of 140 days and lambs were then slaughtered. Carcasses were weighed and classified for fat cover and conformation scores, based on the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) carcass classification scheme, and then scanned by using a video image analysis (VIA) system. M. longissimus lumborum (MLL) width, as measured by CT scanning, was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs heterozygous for LM-QTL compared with non-carriers. MLL in LM-QTL carrier lambs was also significantly deeper, as measured by both ultrasound muscle depth at the third lumbar vertebrae (+3.7%; P < 0.05) and CT scanning at the fifth lumbar vertebrae (+3.4%; P < 0.01). Consequently, MLL area, was measured by using CT scanning, was significantly higher (+4.5%; P < 0.01) in lambs carrying a single copy of LM-QTL compared with non-carriers. Additional traits measured by CT, such as leg muscle dimensions, average muscle density and tissue proportions, were not significantly affected by LM-QTL. LM-QTL did not significantly affect total carcass lean or fat weights or MLC conformation and fat score classifications. Using previously derived algorithms, VIA could detect a significant effect of the LM-QTL on the predicted weight of saleable meat yield in the loin primal cut (+2.2%; P < 0.05), but not in the other primal cuts, or the total carcass.

Effects of a quantitative trait locus for increased muscularity on carcass traits measured by subjective conformation and fat class scores and video image analysis in crossbred lambs

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for increased loin muscularity (TM-QTL) has previously been identified in purebred Texel sheep. Crossbred lambs born out of Mule ewes mated to heterozygous Texel sires for the TM-QTL were evaluated for a range of carcass traits. Lambs were genotyped and classified as carriers (n = 62) of a single copy of the TM-QTL and non-carriers (n = 49). In this study, the effects of the TM-QTL on carcass attributes were investigated using subjective classification scores for conformation and fatness, and measurements from a video image analysis (VIA) system. In addition, refined prediction equations to estimate weights of primal joints (leg, chump, loin, breast and shoulder) were obtained by calibrating the VIA system against computer tomography (CT) measurements in the loin region. The new refined prediction models increased the accuracy of prediction of all primal cuts on an average of 16% compared to previously derived standard VIA prediction equations. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the VIA system to predict in vivo CT measurements ranged from 0.39 to 0.72 for measurements of Musculus longissimus lumborum (MLL) area, width and depth, lumbar spine length, loin muscle volume and loin muscularity index. Using VIA estimates of CT-measured loin muscle traits, a significant increase in depth (+2.7%) of the MLL was found to be associated with the TM-QTL. Conformation and fatness scores and the shape of the carcass measured as individual lengths, widths and areas by VIA were not significantly influenced by the TM-QTL. Primal meat yields estimated using both standard and refined VIA prediction equations were not significantly affected by the TM-QTL. However, carcass ‘compactness’ was found to have significantly increased in carrier lambs. The weight of the dissected MLL estimated using VIA information was greater (+2.6%) for carriers compared to non-carriers. To conclude, neither the current industry carcass evaluation system for conformation and fatness nor the standard VIA system is able to identify the effect of the TM-QTL in the loin region in the moment. However, the calibration of the VIA system against CT measurements resulted in improved VIA prediction equations for primal meat yields and also showed moderate potential to estimate loin muscle traits measured by CT and to detect, partially, the effect of the TM-QTL on these traits.

Effects of the Texel muscling quantitative trait locus on carcass traits in crossbred lambs

Texel muscling quantitative trait locus (TM-QTL) is a QTL on chromosome 18, originally identified in purebred UK Texel sheep, which was reported to increase ultrasonically measured muscle depth at the third lumbar vertebra by around 4% to 7%. The objective of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate the TM-QTL and to determine whether it could provide benefits to the UK sheep industry through increased carcass meat yield in crossbred slaughter lambs. Effects of this QTL on a range of carcass traits, including those measured in vivo and by dissection, were evaluated in heterozygous carrier and non-carrier lambs produced by crossing heterozygous carrier Texel rams with non-carrier Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes from a lowland flock. The TM-QTL was found to increase loin muscling in crossbred lambs at a given live weight or carcass weight, as measured by ultrasound, X-ray computed tomography (CT) and carcass dissection. Depth of M. longissimus lumborum (MLL) was greater in TM-QTL carrier lambs compared to non-carriers as measured by both ultrasound at the third lumbar vertebra (+4.5%; P = 0.033) and CT scanning at the fifth lumbar vertebra (+6.7%; P = 0.004). Width and area of MLL measured using CT were also greater in TM-QTL carrier lambs compared to non-carriers (+3.0%; P = 0.013 and +5.1%; P = 0.047, respectively). Loin muscle volume measured using CT was greater in TM-QTL carriers than in non-carriers (+5.9%; P = 0.005) and the dissected weight of the MLL was +7.1% greater in TM-QTL carriers compared to non-carriers (P < 0.001). The proportion of the total carcass lean meat yield (LMY) that was contained within the loin region was slightly higher in TM-QTL carriers than in non-carriers (0.154 v. 0.145; P = 0.006). However, TM-QTL was found to have no significant effect on the total weight or proportion of LMY or of saleable meat yield in the carcass measured by dissection, or on muscling in the hind leg measured by CT or dissection. This work has verified that the inheritance of TM-QTL is associated with increased loin muscling in crossbred lambs, as has previously been reported for purebred Texel lambs.

Effects of the Booroola ( FecB) genotypes on growth performance, ewe's productivity efficiency and litter size in Garole × Malpura sheep

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FecB genotypes on body weight, average daily gain (ADG), ewe's productivity efficiency (EPE) and litter size in FecB introgressed Garole × Malpura (GM) crossbred sheep. A total of 235 GM lambs were selected randomly and screened for FecB mutation using forced RFLP-PCR. The majority (69.8%) of GM individuals were carriers (BB and B+) for the FecB mutation and frequency of the FecB allele was about 0.40. The FecB genotypes were significantly ( P < 0.01) associated with the lamb's body weights from birth to 12 months of age. The generation wise ( F 1, F 2 and F 3), lamb's body weight did not differ significantly at birth, 6 and 12 months of the age, while it differed significantly ( P < 0.05) at 3 and 9 months of age. The ADG1 (0–3 months) was significantly associated ( P < 0.05), but not the ADG2 (3–6 months) and ADG3 (6–12 months) between genotypes. Type of birth and sex significantly ( P < 0.01) affected the body weight from birth to 12 months of age; and body weight of single born lambs was significantly higher ( P < 0.01) than that of twins and triplets from birth to 12 months of age. Type of birth significantly ( P < 0.01) affected the ADG1, but had no significant effect on ADG2 and ADG3. Year of birth did not affect the birth and weaning weights, but it significantly affected ( P < 0.01) the body weight and ADG's after weaning ages. The EPE was affected significantly ( P < 0.01) by the FecB genotypes at birth, 3 and 12 months of age. The EPE of B+ and BB ewes were 7.86 kg (36.9%) and 2.32 kg (10.9%) higher as compared to ++ ewes at 12 months of age, respectively. The mean litter size of BB ewes (2.17 ± 0.24) was significantly higher ( P < 0.01) than that of B+ ewes (1.73 ± 0.04) and ++ ewes (1.03 ± 0.23). The present study indicated that the body weight and ADG of carrier lambs (BB and B+) was comparatively lower than that of non-carriers (++), while EPE of B+ ewes was comparatively higher than that of BB and ++ ewes. Further, it is interesting to note that heterozygous and homozygous state of individuals increased 0.70 and 1.14 extra lambs as compared to non-carriers (++), respectively.

Culex annulirostris as a vector of Eperythrozoon ovis infection in sheep

Eperythrozoon ovis, a blood parasite of sheep, was transmitted from carrier lambs to susceptible lambs by the interrupted feeding of the mosquito Culex annulirostris. The circumstances of some of the transmissions were similar to those encountered in the field, in that carrier and susceptible lambs were exposed to a natural population of mosquitoes, while in another transmission an artificial means of containment of the mosquitoes was used. Infective E. ovis organisms were shown to be present in and/or on Cx. annulirostris for at least 14 hours by the inoculation of physiological saline-extracted material from macerated mosquitoes fed on E. ovis carrier lambs.