Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Animal Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #349236
Research Project: Genetic Impact and Improved Diagnostics for Sheep and Goat Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Location: Animal Disease Research

Title: Scrapie resistant goats: Keep your herd healthy and help your business with a new gene test

Author
item White, Stephen
item Schneider, David

Submitted to: The Boer Goat
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2018
Publication Date: 3/1/2018
Citation: White, S.N., Schneider, D.A. 2018. Scrapie resistant goats: Keep your herd healthy and help your business with a new gene test. The Boer Goat. 6-8.

Interpretive Summary: Classical scrapie is an infectious disease of goats and sheep that causes slowly progressive but ultimately fatal degeneration of the brain. Currently, a single diagnosis of classical scrapie results in permanent quarantine or euthanasia of all goats on a farm. Recently, a large panel of researchers convened by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) surveyed all research in the field and concluded two naturally occurring goat alleles (SI46 and K.222 versions of the prion gene) confer resistance to classical scrapie in goats. Furthermore, the EFSA panel concluded S146 and K222 have more evidence for scrapie resistance in goats than did Rl 71 when it was recommended as the basis for scrapie resistant sheep. The strong genetic resistance to scrapie in goats is supported by research in U.S. goats with one or the other of these alleles that have been challenged but never developed clinical scrapie. Boer goats are known to have a high S146 allele frequency, and as many as half the goats in some Boer herds have at least one copy of S146. Thus, many Boer goats may already have scrapie resistance. DNA tests are now commercially available to determine genotypes for producer animals. Breeding for scrapie resistant goats can improve herd health, sustainability, and profitability of goat farms.

Technical Abstract: Classical scrapie is an infectious disease of goats and sheep that causes slowly progressive but ultimately fatal degeneration of the brain, with advanced cases often hindering their ability to move properly. Currently, a single diagnosis of classical scrapie results in permanent quarantine or euthanasia of all goats on a farm. Recently, a large panel of researchers convened by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded two naturally occurring goat alleles (S146 and K222 versions of the prion gene) confer resistance to classical scrapie in goats. The EFSA panel concluded S146 and K222 have more evidence for scrapie resistance in goats than did Rl71 when it was recommended as the basis for resistant sheep. Boer goats are known to have a high S146 allele frequency, and as many as half the goats in some Boer herds have at least one copy of S146. Thus, many Boer goats may already have scrapie resistance. DNA tests are now commercially available to determine genotypes for your animals. Breeding for scrapie resistant goats can improve herd health, sustainability, and profitability of goat farms.