Heritability estimates for antibody response to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in German Holstein cattle.

The objective of this study was to estimate heritability of antibody response to Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in 4,524 German Holstein cows by applying linear and threshold models. Data were collected within a paratuberculosis voluntary control program in Thuringia, Germany, in 2005.

Short communication: Association analysis of microsatellites and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis antibody response in German Holsteins.

Paratuberculosis in ruminants is characterized by chronic granulomatous enteritis, resulting in persistent diarrhea and progressive wasting of cattle infected with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The disease occurs worldwide with high frequency, leading to growing economic losses in beef and dairy industries.