Claudin and Rab proteins are key molecular components involved in coccidiosis resistance in Portuguese Merino sheep.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although coccidial infection is often asymptomatic in sheep, both clinical and subclinical forms of the disease are linked to considerable production losses, mainly in young lambs. Studies aiming to identify genetic markers for use in selection programs towards increasing genetic resistance to coccidiosis are lacking and have yet to be performed in Portuguese Merino sheep. The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with resistance to coccidiosis by conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Portuguese Merino sheep.

Results

From an initial population of 1,022 sheep having known phenotypic characteristics, 206 and 202 distinct animals were genotyped using 50 K and 600 K Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) arrays, respectively. Af

SUBMITTER: Varela-Martinez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12784492 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature