Scrapie prevalence in sheep of susceptible genotype is declining in a population subject to breeding for resistance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Susceptibility of sheep to scrapie infection is known to be modulated by the PrP genotype of the animal. In the Netherlands an ambitious scrapie control programme was started in 1998, based on genetic selection of animals for breeding. From 2002 onwards EU regulations required intensive active scrapie surveillance as well as certain control measures in affected flocks.Here we analyze the data on genotype frequencies and scrapie prevalence in the Dutch sheep population obtained from both surveillance and affected flocks, to identify temporal trends. We also estimate the genotype-specific relative risks to become a detected scrapie case.

Results

We find that the breeding programme has produced a steady increase in the level of genetic scrapie resistance in the Dutch

SUBMITTER: Hagenaars TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2883980 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature