Small ruminant genetic testing and diseases
Keywords:
small ruminant, genetic testing, genetic mutations, production traitsAbstract
Genetic testing can play an important role in management of small ruminants. There are four classes of genetic testing currently available to producers and veterinarians. Parentage identification allows keeping of accurate pedigrees, and therefore evaluation of offspring for desirable production traits. Genetic markers for specific production phenotypes can help producers to select animal with desired production traits. There are several genetic diseases identified in sheep and goats. Genetic testing for known gene mutations associated with a disease phenotype can be used to control the prevalence of disease and any resulting production losses. Lastly, testing has been developed for genetic mutations that have been identified that confer increased resistance to certain diseases. Increasing commercial availability of genetic testing for small ruminants has become an integrated part of herd management.