Galectin-11, a potential marker of resistance against gastrointestinal nematode infection in small ruminants

Abstract

'Haemonchus contortus' is a major gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasite of sheep, causing significant production losses. Primary control of 'H. contortus' is by the use of anthelmintics but is an unlikely long term control method due to the development of parasite anthelmintic resistance. Alternative strategies include the breeding of animals naturally resistant/resilient to infection. Such selection is based on the phenotypic identification of resistant animals. Currently, faecal egg counts (FEC) are the most common method of determining infection levels but the expense and labour requirements for this technique limits its impact and an alternative test is required. Two molecules associated with the development of immunity, Galectin-11 (a carbohydrate binding protein recently identified in our laboratory) and mucosal IgA, were investigated as potential resistant selection tools in infected animals.