Sheep In India Research Articles

Detection and Genetic Characterization of Border Disease Virus (BDV) Isolated from a Persistently Infected Sheep in a Migratory Flock from Rajasthan State, Northwestern India.

Border disease virus (BDV) causes significant economic losses in sheep farming worldwide. In India, BDV has not yet been studied in sheep migrating for summer pasturing. This study aimed to determine the extent of BDV infection in migratory sheep and provide genetic characteristics of BDV. Blood and serum samples from 90 lambs of a migratory sheep flock (600) in Central India were collected and subjected to molecular detection, phylogenetic analysis and virus neutralization test (VNT). We detected BDV in two lambs through real-time RT-PCR, while 64.4% (58/90) of in-contact lambs had BDV neutralizing antibodies. One apparently healthy lamb was found to be persistently infected with BDV. Phylogenetic analysis of 5'-UTR and Npro genes and the concatenated datasets typed the BDV isolate from PI sheep as BDV-3 genotype. However, it showed a closer relationship with BDV-3 strains from China than the previously reported Indian BDV-3 strains. This is the first report on the detection of BDV persistently infected migratory sheep in India. Additionally, we provided evidence of genetic variability among BDV-3 strains in India. The findings improve our understanding of epidemiology and genetic characteristics of BDV in India and highlight the potential risks associated with the traditional practice of sheep migration for summer pasturing.

Goat and Sheep Genetic Resources of India

Small ruminants (Goat and Sheep) form an integral part of Indian agriculture and widely distributed across all agro-ecological zones. There are 148.88 million goats and 74.26 million sheep in India and are reared mainly by small and marginal farmers. They contribute significantly to rural economy as they can sustain on paltry input resources and harsh environmental conditions. There are 44 and 34 registered breeds of sheep and goat respectively, beside large number of non-descript animals. Due to intermixing among breeds in the field, breed purity is being diluted. Hence there is need to develop suitable breeding policy for genetic improvement and conservation of goat and sheep by different states.

Tracing the domestication of sheep in India

Tracing the domestication of sheep in India

Genome sequence of Dichelobacter nodosus JKS-07B isolate from J&K, India associated with virulent footrot of sheep.

Virulent footrot of sheep caused by Dichelobacter nodosus is associated with tremendous economic losses due to recurrent treatment costs and increased culling rates. This organism being a fastidious anaerobe is difficult to isolate on ordinary media that does not support its growth. The D. nodosus serogroup B isolate described in the present study has been used in the preparation of the whole-cell killed vaccine against footrot in India. D. nodosus serogroup B is the predominant serogroup involved in virulent footrot (lesion score 4) in India as well as in many sheep-rearing countries of the globe. Genomic DNA was extracted using wizard Genomic DNA purification kit. The whole genome of the D. nodosus strain B was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and annotated according to functional gene categories. Annotations were performed using in-house developed Perl scripts using Nr/Nt database, uniprot, Pfam, KEGG, Panther DB, and GO database. The assembled genome size is 1.311,533 Mb and GC content is 44.38. A total of 1215 protein-coding genes, 44tRNA and 7 rRNA were identified. The genome shows 98.63% sequence homology with the reference genome. However, 21 new genes have been identified in this genome. The information will provide insights into the various genes and regulators necessary for D. nodosus growth and survival. The genome information of this serogroup B of D. nodosus isolate involved in 85-90% cases of virulent footrot of sheep in India provides further insights for improvement of the killed vaccine (B serogroup) developed recently in India. For the development of an efficacious vaccine against virulent footrot, it is essential to know the serological diversity as well as the virulent status of the strains of the D. nodosus. This serogroup isolate is a potential vaccine candidate to mitigate ovine footrot in India as the majority of virulent footrot cases belong to serogroup B of D. nodosus.

Genetic variability and population structure based on pedigree information for Muzaffarnagari sheep in India

Abstract The objective of this study was to use pedigree analysis to evaluate the population structure and retention of genetic diversity in a flock of Muzaffarnagari sheep in India. Pedigrees of 5955 animals born between 1974 and 2003 was used to estimate the generation interval, pedigree completeness, and rate and level of inbreeding. Effective population size and parameters characterizing probabilities of gene origin were computed for lambs born between 2001 and 2003. The average numbers of equivalent complete generations were 3.41 and 5.00 for the whole and reference populations, respectively. The mean generation interval was 3.42 years. Average inbreeding coefficients for animals in the whole and reference populations were 1.79 and 1.23 %, respectively, and the rate of inbreeding was 0.68 % per generation. The average additive relationships for all animals and those in the reference population were 3.93 and 6.43 %, respectively. The realized effective population size, estimated from either the increase in coancestry between pairs of individuals or by regression of the average inbreeding coefficient on number of equivalent complete generations was approximately 76. Probabilities of gene origin were estimated by calculating effective numbers of founders (fe), ancestors (fa), founder genomes (fg), and non-founder genomes (fng) (33, 30, 15.4, and 28.9, respectively). The 10 most influential ancestors accounted for 50 % of the genetic variability, with a maximum individual contribution 6.53 %. The fe/fa ratio in the reference population was 1.10, indicating that occasional bottlenecks had occurred. Approximately 3.2 % of the initial heterozygosity had disappeared from the population. The results revealed that although there was some evidences of bottlenecks and genetic drift, considerable genetic variability remained in the population.

Subjective and objective/machine evaluation of wool luster in Magra sheep vis-a-vis wool grading and animal selection

ABSTRACTWool of Magra sheep in India is well-known for its fiber quality and luster. In the present study, subjective and objective luster grading wool clips and its association with fiber diameter was done. It was found that for higher luster grades, their fiber attributes are closer to lower limits of ideal carpet wool, viz. fiber diameter and proportion of medullated fibers to 30 µm with medullation 30%. Canary colored wool’s whiteness index (L*) may be considered as one of the physical properties for identification of wool luster. Subjective grades indicated that visual grading of wool samples was very close to the quality appraisal of attributes.

Pathology and polymerase chain reaction detection of ovine progressive pneumonia (maedi) cases in slaughtered sheep in India.

Aim:The small ruminant lentiviruses are known to cause maedi-visna (MV) and caprine arthritis - encephalitis in sheep and goats, typically affecting joints, udder, lungs, and the central nervous system. The diagnosis usually involves serology, clinical signs, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the present study, the histopathologically positive pneumonia cases of MV were confirmed by PCR in lung tissue probably for the first time in India.Materials and Methods:A total of 888 lungs of adult sheep, aged between 2 and 5 years, were screened during slaughter, of which 121 were found to have pneumonic lesions. The tissues from each pneumonic lung including associated lymph nodes were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology. The frozen tissues of the same were also collected and stored at −20°C for PCR confirmation.Results:Three of 121 cases of pneumonic lungs of sheep revealed gross and histopathological lesions suggestive of maedi or ovine progressive pneumonia infection. These 3 cases were further confirmed by PCR technique that amplified 291-base pair DNA in the long terminal repeat sequence of MV provirus.Conclusion:This study suggests the low occurrence of MV virus (MVV) infection in India in naturally affected sheep based on pathomorphological lesions and using the molecular tool of PCR detection of the virus in tissues. Further, a combination of pathomorphology or/and PCR testing might be optimal for detecting the animals infected with MVV.

Experimental assessment of arsenic toxicity in garole sheep in India

Abstract Arsenic, a dangerous bio-accumulative poison, is a grave threat affecting a large number of people as well as animals throughout the World, particularly in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It is also a matter of concern as continuously entering into food chain through biotic and abiotic products. The present study was conducted to evaluate the experimental effect of arsenic toxicosis on Garole sheep of West Bengal. One group was subjected to oral arsenic exposure @ 6.6 mg Kg−1 over 133 days when rests considered as negative control. Periodical arsenic estimation in wool, urine and feces along with hemato-biochemical alteration were checked thoroughly. It was evident from the study that long term arsenic exposure exerted a significant (p

Gastrointestinal Nematodiasis in Small Ruminants and Anthelmintic Resistance: A Review

Out of various diseases affecting sheep, parasitic gastroenteritis caused by gastro-intestinal nematodes, mainly Haemonchus contortus, is very important for the sheep in India and is responsible for high mortality and morbidity (Yadav, 1997). The gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep include H. contortus, Telodorsagia circumcinta, Trichostrongylus axei, Nematodirus spp. and Cooperia spp. The proportions of each of these nematodes in sheep populations vary according to geographic location. H. contortus and T circumcincta represent most of the parasite burdens seen in sheep, with H. contortus being present in highest numbers. Anthelmintic resistance is present in all of these parasites, but the prevalence is highest for H. contortus, making it the most economically important gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep (Fleming et al., 2006).

Identification and molecular characterization of border disease virus (BDV) from sheep in India.

Pestiviruses isolated from sheep and goats in India thus far have been bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1) or BVDV-2. During routine genetic typing of pestiviruses in the years 2009-10, border disease virus (BDV) was detected in eight Indian sheep of a flock showing clinical signs of BD by real time RT-PCR. All the samples yielded positive virus isolates in cell culture but were found negative by a BVDV antigen ELISA. A representative BDV isolate was characterized at genetic and antigenic level. Phylogenetic analysis carried out in 5'-UTR, N(pro) and E2 regions of genome typed the Indian BDV isolate as BDV-3. A more detailed analysis in N(pro) and entire region coding structural proteins showed that the N(pro) (168), C (100 aa), E(rns) (227 aa), E1 (195 aa) and E2 (373 aa) proteins were of size characteristic for BDV reference strain X818. Antigenic differences were evident between the BDV-3 isolate and previously reported BDV-1, BDV-5 and BDV-7 strains. Although origin of BDV-3 in India is not clear, the results reflect probable introduction through trade in sheep between India and other countries or BDV-3 may be more widely distributed. Additionally, this study suggests that for diagnosis of BDV infection, the commercial BVDV Ag-ELISA should be used with caution. This is the first identification of BDV in sheep in India which highlights the need for continued pestivirus surveillance and assessing its impact on sheep and goat production.

Abattoir by-Product Utilization for Sustainable Meat Industry: A Review

Meat sector in India plays an important role in providing livelihood to rural people in the country. Animal slaughtering not only provides meat but also valuable byproducts to the mankind. By slaughtering and processing of meat animal, only one third is meat while the rest comprise of byproducts and waste, which need to be adequately processed and utilized. Traditional markets for edible meat by-products have gradually been disappearing because of concerns about health and economic returns. In response to these problems, meat processors have directed marketing and research efforts toward inedible applications. Efficient utilization of byproducts has direct impact on the economy and environmental pollution of the country, the former being an asset and the latter is a responsibility. The yield of animal by-products ranges between 50-60% of the live weight. According to various statistics 107 million livestock and more than 650 million poultry birds were slaughtered annually in India leading to production of 6.3 million tonnes meat. It leaves huge loads of byproducts. The load is further increased by dead and fallen animals. The value of unprocessed by-products from buffalo and sheep in India was reported to be quite high. If these by-products are processed then the returns will be almost equal to the value of the meat derived from an animal. Therefore, the potential and scope of by-product utilization is really great which will result in industrial development, employment generation, environmental management and better returns to the farmers. Non-utilization of animal by-products in a proper way may create major aesthetic and catastrophic health problems. Value addition of animal byproducts has two benefits. Firstly, the meat industry gets additional revenue by processing them to industrial, household, and cosmetic products; livestock feed additives; pet foods; pharmaceutical and medical supplies etc that otherwise would have been unrealized. Secondly, the costs of disposing of these secondary items are avoided. Utilization of these byproducts as fertilizer contributes a lot in organic farming and could reduce our dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Animal byproducts and wastes are a good source of renewable energy as well its production is economically feasible.

Detection of Brucella Melitensis Rev-1 Vaccinal Antibodies in Sheep in India

Detection of Brucella Melitensis Rev-1 Vaccinal Antibodies in Sheep in India

Extensive Variation and Sub-Structuring in Lineage A mtDNA in Indian Sheep: Genetic Evidence for Domestication of Sheep in India

Previous studies on mitochondrial DNA analysis of sheep from different regions of the world have revealed the presence of two major- A and B, and three minor- C, D and E maternal lineages. Lineage A is more frequent in Asia and lineage B is more abundant in regions other than Asia. We have analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences of 330 sheep from 12 different breeds of India. Neighbor-joining analysis revealed lineage A, B and C in Indian sheep. Surprisingly, multidimensional scaling plot based on FST values of control region of mtDNA sequences showed significant breed differentiation in contrast to poor geographical structuring reported earlier in this species. The breed differentiation in Indian sheep was essentially due to variable contribution of two major lineages to different breeds, and sub- structuring of lineage A, possibly the latter resulting from genetic drift. Nucleotide diversity of this lineage was higher in Indian sheep (0.014 ± 0.007) as compared to that of sheep from other regions of the world (0.009 ± 0.005 to 0.01 ± 0.005). Reduced median network analysis of control region and cytochrome b gene sequences of Indian sheep when analyzed along with available published sequences of sheep from other regions of the world showed that several haplotypes of lineage A were exclusive to Indian sheep. Given the high nucleotide diversity in Indian sheep and the poor sharing of lineage A haplotypes between Indian and non-Indian sheep, we propose that lineage A sheep has also been domesticated in the east of Near East, possibly in Indian sub-continent. Finally, our data provide support that lineage B and additional lineage A haplotypes of sheep might have been introduced to Indian sub-continent from Near East, probably by ancient sea trade route.

Enhanced proinflammatory cytokine activity during experimental bluetongue virus-1 infection in Indian native sheep

Bluetongue disease has been causing variable morbidity and mortality in sheep in India and other countries of the world. The experimental infection with Indian BTV-1 strain induced mild to sub-acute infection in native sheep. There were low induction of IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokine mRNA expressions determined by real time RT-PCR in draining lymph nodes (DLN), spleen, and PBMCs during the initial stages of infection (8 days post inoculation, DPI) and higher around 15 DPI. The reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ and TNF-α) responses during the initial stage of infection (8 DPI) was also accompanied by similarly decreased T-cell populations and overt clinical symptoms. Later up regulation of these cytokines and substantial increase in the proportion of CD8+ T-cells occurred with reduction of clinical signs and disappearance of BTV-1 antigen from tissues as determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Thus there is definite involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CD8+ T cell activity in disease induced by BTV-1 strain.

Genetic parameters for direct and maternal effects on post-weaning body measurements of Muzaffarnagari sheep in India

Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for post-weaning (i.e., at 6, 9, and 12 months of age) body measurements in Muzaffarnagari sheep maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India over a period of 29 years (1976 through 2004). Records of 2,965 lambs descended from 162 rams and 1,213 ewes were used in the study. Analyses were carried out by REML fitting an animal model and ignoring or including maternal genetic or permanent environmental effects. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. The best model was chosen after testing the improvement of the log-likelihood values. Direct heritability estimates were inflated substantially for all traits when maternal effects were ignored. Moderate estimates of direct heritability for body length (0.11-0.15), height at withers (0.14-0.19), and heart girth (0.14-0.24) of lambs were observed at post-weaning stages of growth. Results suggest that only direct additive genetic effects were important for body measurements at post-weaning stages of growth, and hence, modest rates of genetic progress were possible for post-weaning body measurements.

Subtype analysis of stx1, stx2 and eae genes in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and typical and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) from lambs in India

Seventy-five Escherichia coli isolates with at least one targeted virulence gene were recovered from 338 lambs with (n=230) and without (n=108) diarrhoea. The isolates belonged to 36 different serogroups. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was isolated from 9.6% of lambs with and 24.1% of lambs without diarrhoea. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) was isolated from 6.1% of lambs with and 11.1% of lambs without diarrhoea. Of 26 EPEC isolates, seven were typical (positive for bfpA), and, of 34 stx(1) positive isolates, 25 were subtyped as stx(1c). Five of 29 stx(2) positive isolates were subtyped as stx(2d) and two as stx(2c). Seven of 45 eae positive isolates were subtyped as eae subtype zeta (eaezeta). This appears to be the first report of the isolation of typical EPEC from sheep in India.

Improving productivity of Malpura breed by crossbreeding with prolific Garole sheep in India

Garole, a prolific small sized sheep breed of India was introduced in the Mutton Project of the Institute during 1997 to explore the possibility of incorporating fecundity gene into Malpura (M) sheep of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. The data on reproduction and production traits of M and Garole × Malpura (GM) half-breds was used in the study to assess the improvement in evolved crossbred stock. The overall percent gain in prolificacy in GM was 52.38, which increased to 75.73 in third parity. The GM compared to M ewes also weaned more lambs per ewe lambed (1 versus 1.41). The lambing rate averaged 91.75 and 148.21% in M and GM ewes, respectively. The twin lambing percentage was only 4.71% in M flock while; it reached up to 51.10% in GM. Moreover, 5.72% of GM ewes produced triplets also. The genetic group non-significantly affect ewe efficiency (EE), but GM produced 3.3% more total lambs weight per ewe lambed at weaning and 6.15% more total lamb weight per ewe lambed at 6-month of age. The body weights at different ages of GM half-breds were lower ( P < 0.01) compared to contemporary M lambs. The parity of ewes significantly affects body weight from birth weight to 12-month of age. The survivability of GM half-breds was almost at par with the local M sheep. Results revealed that the fecundity genes responsible for increasing prolificacy have been incorporated into the GM and it might prove a valuable germplasm towards evolving a new prolific strain of sheep. The crossing of Garole with M increased the ewe efficiency.

Characteristics of Garole sheep in India

SummaryGarole, a highly prolific breed of sheep can be characterised as real microsheep of India. Literature available in respect of its genetic potentiality for fecundity and other economic parameters is very scanty. This has peculiar characteristics such as prolificacy, resistance to foot rot disease, grazing in knee-deep water, adaptability to hot humid conditions and high mothering instinct for their neonates. Some research and development programmes have recently been initiated by Central and State Governments to study this valuable germplasm in a systematic manner. Endeavours are required to evaluate this animal in its home tract and in-situ conservation involving local sheep farmers is necessary for posterity.

The effect of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in conjunction with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin on the superovulatory response in crossbred sheep in India.

Thirty-two mature crossbred (Fine Wool Synthetic, FWS) sheep developed for fine wool production in India were treated for superovulation and oestrus synchronization in spring season. The ewes were randomly allocated to four treatment groups in a factorially designed experiment. For induction of superovulation, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) was administered alone (group 1), in combination with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) (group 2) or with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (group 3) and with both (group 4). Oestrus was synchronized in all the ewes by two injections of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF, 10 mg each) administered at an interval of 10 days. Superovulation treatment started 48 h prior to the second PGF injection. The proportion of ewes in oestrus did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) in the four groups. The use of GnRH set the ewes into oestrus earlier than the ewes in the other groups. Treatment with PMSG (800 IU) in conjunction with 4 micrograms of Buserilin (GnRH) increased the ovulation rate (9.1 +/- 2.6 corpora lutea (CL)) above that observed when PMSG was used alone (3.0 +/- 0.7 CL). The use of FSH (0.5 U ovagen) in conjunction with PMSG was characterized by a decrease in the proportion of ewes with < or = 2 CL (4/8 vs 7/8; p < 0.05) and in the number of ovulations, i.e. CL observed (2.4 +/- 0.6 vs 9.1 +/- 2.6), and a nonsignificant increase in the incidence of large follicles (LF) (4.6 +/- 1.28 vs 3.25 +/- 0.6; p > 0.05). The interaction between treatments of FSH and GnRH was not significant (p > 0.05). It is concluded that use of GnRH, in conjunction with either PMSG alone or PMSG plus FSH treatment, advanced the onset of oestrus and increased the ovulation rate in FWS sheep.

The Chokla Sheep in India

SummaryThere are approximately 41 million sheep in India, 0.51 million of which are made up by the Chokla population. This breed is generally found around Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar and bordering areas of the Bikaner, Jaipur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan. The animals have a light to medium-sized body, a small head and are reddish brown or dark tan in colour as far as the middle of the neck, with a white body. The skin is pink. The ears are small to medium in length and tubular in shape. The Chokla sheep are hardy and well adapted to arid and semi-arid tropical environments and are suited for the region where migration is a common practice. The Chokla is a comparatively fine-wool producing type among the Indian sheep. The wool produced by Chokla animals is heterogeneous in quality and generally mixed with coarser fleece of other sheep for their utilisation as carpet wool.