Livestock Breeding for Disease Resistance: A Perspective Review

Abstract

Livestock plays a momentous role in a country’s economy especially in a developing nation like India, where livelihoods of about 20.5 million people depend upon livestock and its allied sectors, suggesting that about two-third of the rural community is involved (Annual Report, 2018). The small ruminants like sheep and goat provide main source of income for many economically poor people, especially marginal and landless farmers. Similarly the role of these livestock to various pastoral communities cannot be ignored. So whenever there is a disease outbreak, the burden of huge economic loss falls on these poor livestock keepers. The traditional methods of disease management involve either treatment with antibiotics or vaccination for prevention of diseases. However, the indiscriminate use of these antibiotics has lead to antibiotic-resistant pathogens and likewise it is extremely difficult to develop vaccines against a wide range of pathogens that are frequently mutating and are caused by multi etiological factors. Hence, considering all these factors breeding of disease resistant animals becomes a top priority in this changing world. The literature is filled with references of indigenous animals and poultry being resistant to many diseases. Keeping this in view, the current review has been written to highlight sustainable and feasible methods for breeding them for disease resistance.

Genetic resilience in chickens against bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens

“…The poultry industry is susceptible to bacterial, viral, and protozoal pathogens that cause several infectious diseases and reduce growth yield, productivity, and profit. Prophylactic measures, such as vaccination, antibiotics, disinfectants, and culling, are used to control infections in poultry (1). However, current vaccines lack cross-protection against multiple strains of each virus.…”

“…To counter emerging pathogens, a genetically resistant breed should be developed to prevent outbreaks, enable sustained economic viability, and retain consumer confidence in poultry products. By rearing genetically disease-resistant flocks, a breed that can withstand infectious diseases and pathogens owing to its unique genetic modifications, can be obtained (1,3,4).…”