Influence of Genetic and Non-genetic Factors on Fecal and Haemonchus Egg Counts in Osmanabadi Goats (Capra hircus) in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of Maharashtra

Osmanabadi goats (Capra hircus) are reared in arid and semi arid region of India and play a role in economy of rural livelihood. Small ruminant practices in India faces major challenges of parasitic infestation hence, present study was carried out to see the effect of different genetic and non genetic factors on parasitic load of these goats in Udgir tehsil of Latur district of Maharashtra. The variation due to season, age, sex, farm and genotype of TaqI locus of MHC DRB1 gene on Fecal Egg Count (FEC) and Haemonchus Egg Count (HEC) in the flocks was studied. The study comprised of 84 animals and it was seen that the season and genotype were the significant factors affecting FEC and HEC in these flocks reared in organized and non-organized farm. The BB genotype had the lowest FEC suggesting that the BB genotype might be resistant to parasitic load.