Candidate Genes of Gastrointestinal Nematode Resistance Traits in Sheep: A Systematic Review of GWASs and Gene Prioritization Analysis.

Background/

Objectives

Gastrointestinal nematode infections represent a major constraint to sheep production globally, with widespread drug resistance requiring alternative control strategies.

Methods

This systematic review combined genome-wide association study findings to understand the genetic basis underlying parasite resistance traits in sheep. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 22 studies including 28,033 samples from 32 breeds across 11 countries, extracting 1580 candidate genes associated with resistance traits, including fecal egg count, packed cell volume, and immunoglobulin levels. Gene prioritization analysis using ToppGene identified 75 high-confidence candidate genes.

Results

Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, inflammatory response processes, and immune-related biological functions. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified nine key hub genes: TNF, STAT3, STAT5A, PDGFB, ADRB2, MAPT, ITGB3, SMO, and GH1. The JAK-STAT pathway emerged as particularly important, with multiple core genes involved in cytokine signaling and immune cell development. These findings demonstrate that parasite resistance involves complex interactions between inflammatory responses, immune signaling networks, and metabolic processes.

Conclusions

This comprehensive genetic framework provides essential insights for developing genomic selection strategies and marker-assisted breeding programs to enhance natural parasite resistance in sheep, offering a sustainable approach to reducing drug dependence and improving animal welfare in global sheep production systems.