Animal Pathogenesis and Nutrition Cows

Genomics of animal pathogenesis and nutrition

Cattle, pigs and sheep are part of the family of ruminants, and represent significant agricultural industries. Dr. Retzel is involved in several animal genomics projects, a new area for NCGR. The first area is Johne's Disease. A broad range of animal species are affected, with our focus on cattle. Economic losses per year are $500 million in the US and more than $3 billion globally. This work is focused on the host response of clinical and subclinical animals. In the pig industry, the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) accounts for the loss of billions of dollars annually. In this work, Dr. Retzel is collaborating with researchers at the USDA National Animal Disease Center. There are two parallel components to the research activities:

1. Understanding viral infection dynamics, and
2. Developing resources to enhance the ability to breed animals that are resistant to the disease.

Some animal models can be used to model human nutrition. In our study, sheep make an excellent model to study the effects of obesity and malnutrition on the pregnancy process and on fetal development. The sheep have been studied for macroscopic and biochemical changes in the placenta, including the metabolome and vascularization. Collaborating with researchers at the University of Wyoming and Penn State, Dr. Retzel has begun looking into gene expression in placental tissues in control, malnourished and obese sheep.