Nematode infection is one of the major causes of disease in young sheep. Selective breeding of genetically nematode resistant sheep is an alternative method for controlling the nematode infection. This process could be simplified if loci that account for nematode resistance can be identified. MHC is one of the candidates and several studies have confirmed the association between MHC alleles and nematode resistance. The aim of this study is to establish the role of MHC class II genes in nematode resistance in Texel sheep. Thus, it can help endorse the usefulness of the MHC class II genes as a genetic marker of nematode resistance and extend the knowledge of the mechanism of resistance against nematodes. This study has been focused on three main areas; 1) description of MHC class II gene diversity, 2) description of haplotype and linkage disequilibrium pattern at MHC class II genes and 3) the association of MHC class II genes and nematode resistance. Sequence-based typing was applied to characterise MHC class II allelic diversity in 235 Texel lambs. The haplotype and linkage disequilibrium patterns were deduced from pedigree information. Finally, the association between MHC class II haplotypes and nematode resistance (FEC and IgE activity against L3) were investigated using a MIXED model approach. MHC class IIa genes were diverse in Texel, consistent with previous studies reported in sheep. The most polymorphic locus among MHC class IIa genes was DRB1. A total of 21 distinct DR-DQ haplotypes were obtained and strong linkage disequilibrium exhibited between DR-DQ genes. There were also statistically significant associations of specific haplotypes and nematode resistance in this population. The work in this thesis confirms the likely importance of MHC genes in regulating resistance against gastrointestinal nematodes, thus supporting the use of MHC as a genetic marker of nematode resistance in selective breeding. Sequence-based typing system for MHC class IIa has been established in this study.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:685862 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Md Isa, Nur Mahiza |
| Publisher | University of Glasgow |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7197/ |
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