The Genetic Basis of Natural Antibody Titers and Relationships with Disease Resilience in Pigs
- Jack C. M. Dekkers (Iowa State University)
- Austin M. Putz (Iowa State University)
- John C. S. Harding (University of Saskatchewan)
- Kyu-Sang Lim (Iowa State University)
- Michael K. Dyck (University of Agriculture)
- Frédéric Fortin (Centre de développement du porc du Québec)
- Yulu Chen (Iowa State University)
- Laura E. Tibbs (Iowa State University)
- Graham S. Plastow (University of Alberta)
- Carolyn Ashley (University of Saskatchewan)
Abstract
In typical pig nucleus breeding programs, it is difficult to select pigs for disease resilience because the breeding animals are raised under high-health conditions. Thus, indicator traits that can be measured on young healthy pigs and that are genetically correlated with disease resilience in commercial environments are needed in order to be able select for disease resilience. The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of natural antibodies (NAb) in blood from young healthy pigs as potential predictors of disease resilience. NAb and total IgG levels in blood were genetically correlated with their subsequent resilience after a polymicrobial challenge. Although further research is needed, these results suggest that NAb and IgG levels in blood measured on young healthy pigs can be used as indicator traits to select for improved disease resilience in pigs.
How to Cite:
Dekkers, J. C., Putz, A. M., Harding, J. C., Lim, K., Dyck, M. K., Fortin, F., Chen, Y., Tibbs, L. E., Plastow, G. S. & Ashley, C., (2019) “The Genetic Basis of Natural Antibody Titers and Relationships with Disease Resilience in Pigs”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 16(1).
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