Phenotyping local Tunisian sheep breeds for resistance to tick infestation and to Theileria/Babesia infection

Abstract

At first step, the measurement of phenotypic indicators regarding tick infestation resistance in both Barbarine and QFO sheep breeds will provide useful information for genetic resistance study orientation. The findings will pave the way to select resistant breeds and implement efficient control measures against ticks, as it was the case for cattle in Australia (Allen, 1994). The aim of this work was to assess which sheep breed among the Barbarine and QFO is phenotypically most resistant to tick’s infestation using tick counts parameter and to tick-borne pathogens (Theileria/Babesia).