Association studies using random and "candidate" microsatellite loci in two infectious goat diseases.

We established a set of 30 microsatellites of Bovidae origin for use in a biodiversity study in Swiss and Creole goats. Additional microsatellites located within or next to "candidate" genes of interest, such as cytokine genes (IL4, INF-gamma) and MHC class II genes (DRB, DYA) were tested in the caprine species in order to detect possible associations with two infectious caprine diseases. Microsatellite analysis was undertaken using automated sequencers (ABI373 & 3100).