Optimising maternal production and immunological responsiveness to 'Haemonchus contortus' in twin-bearing Merino ewes

Abstract

This PhD program was undertaken as two experiments to address aspects of maternal production and immunological responsiveness of Merino ewes to gastrointestinal nematode parasites. The chapters in this thesis have been prepared as research articles intended for submission to Livestock Science (aspects of maternal production) and Veterinary Parasitology (aspects of parasitology and immunology). Some extra content, such as photos or reference to appendices has been included. The abstracts for each chapter are provided below. Cross referencing between papers for this thesis utilised the following citations which are included in the reference list: Chapter 3- Macarthur et al. 2009a unpublished; Chapter 4- Macarthur et al. 2009b unpublished; Chapter 5- Macarthur et al. 2009c unpublished and Chapter 6- Macarthur et al. 2009d unpublished.