Caprine MHC gene polymorphism and its association with endoparasitic infestation (Haemonchus contortus) in Indian goat breeds.

The present study examined the variability of MHC class II DRB exon 2 gene using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR-amplified fragments PCR-(RFLP), and its association with Haemonchus contortus infestation in Salem Black and Tellicherry goat population. Animals were naturally exposed to mixed infestation of endoparasites, predominantly Haemonchus contortus. Pooled fecal coproculture and larval identification showed predominant presence of haemonchus (L3) larva. Fecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) were used as indicator traits. All the three studied loci, TaqI, BsaI, and BsaHI, were polymorphic having two alleles and three genotypes. The loci showed low to moderate values of polymorphic information content in both breeds. The mean fecal egg count estimates were 477.12 ± 34.14 and 730.42 ± 41.19 eggs per gram of feces for Salem Black and Tellicherry goats, respectively. The mean PCV values were within the normal range in both breeds; however, they showed negative correlation with FEC values. There was variation among genotypes in mean values of FEC and PCV for all loci; however, the effect of genotypes on indicator traits was found to be statistically nonsignificant (P ≤ 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]