04/22/13, 01:21 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: W Mo
Posts: 9,183
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Article-Genetic resistance to salmonella in cattle
http://www.progressivecattle.com/ind...lth&Itemid=159
This sure was exciting news for me, because our Tarentaise cattle would have the genetic configuration with the greatest resistance to salmonella, according to the research. Non-black cattle, with black pigmentation.
Non-black cattle with two copies of the gene were significantly more resistant, and the researchers could not produce illness (nor any shedding in feces) in these animals, even when using 10 times the typical challenge dose of bacteria.
“The non-black genotype and phenotype has been worked out through a number of other researchers. It is conferred through a gene called MCR.
Non-black is a recessive phenotype; you must have two recessive alleles (one from each parent) for the animal to be non-black,” says Carlson.
Other researchers have uncovered many interesting things about the MCR genes. The dominant MCR gene encodes a receptor that is needed for black pigmentation and also has other functions.
The recessive mcr/mcr cattle are not only non-black, but research has suggested that they metabolize antibiotics faster (thus shorter withdrawal time) and also have an elevated pain threshold – and thus are less likely to go off feed when illness strikes.
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It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
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