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Unveiling the secrets of tick resistance
11 May 2004
Research to improve the resistance of Australia's northern beef herds to cattle ticks has been boosted by the discovery that tropically-adapted cattle breeds have a different immune response to tick infestation than more susceptible European breeds.
CSIRO Livestock Industries' Rockhampton parasitology team has found that tropically-adapted (Bos indicus) cattle, such as Brahmans, which are known for their high tolerance to cattle ticks (Boophilus microplus), switch off parts of their immune systems in response to tick infestation. This response may prevent some of the more damaging side-effects of the immune response that much less resistant European (Bos taurus) breeds such as Herefords experience.
Early results indicate observable differences between the two types of cattle, which will lead to research aimed at increasing Bos taurus resistance to ticks by modulating the host immune response. The scientists are now comparing the response to tick strikes of cross-bred cattle with varying degrees of Bos indicus content, to help characterize the differences in immunity further.
CSIRO Media Release, 5/5/04
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