Breeding and Genetics of Disease Resistance in Poultry and Farm Animals: A Review

Manjari Pandey

Abstract

Disease resistance is one of the most essential parameters that is now getting consideration in the animal selection along with production traits. Development and rearing of genetically disease resistant stocks is the newer face of animal husbandry at present. The increasing microbial resistance, increased drug residues in animal products, ever increasing cost of therapeutic treatment, and consumer’s preference towards organic products are all giving bright signal to the development of genetically resistant animals. There are however various constraints in developing genetic resistance to diseases, hence, research needs to be focused on some areas like molecular basis and mechanisms of genetic resistance to diseases, understanding species and strain differences, and distinguishing resistant genotypes. More studies need to be focused on development of transgenic resistant animal and technologies that enable creation and/or exploitation of resistant phenotypes. More strategic data interpretation and use of newer genomic technologies are the essence for developing resistant flocks/herds.

Abstract

Keywords