Immunocompetence Traits Research Articles

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of L-Valine on Growth, Immunocompetence Traits, Carcass Quality and Meat Composition of Turkey Poults

Background: Valine is an important amino acid and its deficiency may result in reduced growth and immunity. However, studies in turkeys are limited. Hence a study was conducted to assess the effect of supplemental L-valine (L-val) on growth performance, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of turkey poults. Methods: Day old turkey poults (n= 96) were distributed into four dietary treatment groups:T1-basal diet, T2-T1+0.04% L-val, T3- T1+0.08% L-val , T4- T1+0.12% L-val, having three replicates of 8 birds each. Result: No significance difference observed in average weekly body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds throughout experimental period except at 7th week where T2 and T3 poults had a significantly higher (P less than 0.05) BW, BWG and significantly better (P less than 0.05) FCR. HA titre was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Per cent breast weight was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Percent crude protein level in breast muscle of turkey poults was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Thus, supplementation of L-val @ 0.08% in turkey poults resulted in significantly better humoral immune response, higher percent breast yield and higher percent crude protein in breast meat.

On the holobiont ‘predictome’ of immunocompetence in pigs

BackgroundGut microbial composition plays an important role in numerous traits, including immune response. Integration of host genomic information with microbiome data is a natural step in the prediction of complex traits, although methods to optimize this are still largely unexplored. In this paper, we assess the impact of different modelling strategies on the predictive capacity for six porcine immunocompetence traits when both genotype and microbiota data are available.MethodsWe used phenotypic data on six immunity traits and the relative abundance of gut bacterial communities on 400 Duroc pigs that were genotyped for 70 k SNPs. We compared the predictive accuracy, defined as the correlation between predicted and observed phenotypes, of a wide catalogue of models: reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), Bayes C, and an ensemble method, using a range of priors and microbial clustering strategies. Combined (holobiont) models that include both genotype and microbiome data were compared with partial models that use one source of variation only.ResultsOverall, holobiont models performed better than partial models. Host genotype was especially relevant for predicting adaptive immunity traits (i.e., concentration of immunoglobulins M and G), whereas microbial composition was important for predicting innate immunity traits (i.e., concentration of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein and lymphocyte phagocytic capacity). None of the models was uniformly best across all traits. We observed a greater variability in predictive accuracies across models when microbiability (the variance explained by the microbiome) was high. Clustering microbial abundances did not necessarily increase predictive accuracy.ConclusionsGut microbiota information is useful for predicting immunocompetence traits, especially those related to innate immunity. Modelling microbiome abundances deserves special attention when microbiability is high. Clustering microbial data for prediction is not recommended by default.

Immunocompetence Profile of Indian Native vs Exotic Chicken Breeds

Background: The native chicken breeds were evolved over natural selection since time immemorial. The immunocompetence status of chicken breed tells us about its general response to diseases. It was assumed that the native birds survive in harsh climatic conditions and has a higher degree of resistance to diseases as compared with other exotic breeds. Methods: Indian native chicken breeds viz. Black Nicobari, Ghagus and exotic breed, Dahlem Red were studied for their growth and immunocompetence traits under deep litter management system. The native and exotic breeds were evaluated for Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity (CBH) response against Phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), humoral immune response against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antigen and Flow Cytometry analysis of CD8+ Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Result: The Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL/µl) population significantly differed (P less than 0.05) between native Ghagus (2132.34±69.526) and Black Nicobari (2023.53±75.14) vs exotic breeds Dahlem Red 1649.49±64.54) of chicken.CBH response to PHA-P significantly differed (P less than 0.05) between Ghagus (375.836±15.04) and Dahlem Red (267.603±13.99). Sex wise CBH response (based on pooled samples across breeds) showed that females had significantly higher response as compared to males. Serum haemagglutination inhibition titre (log2) in response to ND vaccine was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in Dahlem Red chicken (2.44±0.12) as compared to the two native breeds. Females were having significantly higher HI titre compared to males. In conclusion, the NDV response was considerably higher in exotic breeds as compared to native breeds; however, the trend was just the reverse in case of CBH response.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ferrous Sulphate on Growth, Immunocompetence Traits, Carcass Quality and Meat Composition of Turkey Poults

Background: Inorganic iron compounds have a positive effect on the health and growth of the broiler chickens. However, limited work has been done in Turkeys. Thus a study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of ferrous sulphate on the growth, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of Turkey poults. Methods: Day old turkey poults (n=96) were distributed into four treatment groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) having 3 replicates of 8 birds each. The poults inT1 were fed (control) basal diet, while for birds in T2, T3 and T4, FeSO4 was supplemented @ 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of feed, respectively. Result: Weekly body weight gain was significantly higher in T4 than T1 and T2 birds at 6th (P less than 0.01) and 7th week (P less than 0.05). Phase wise body weight gain was also significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T4 than T1 and T2 during 4 to 8 weeks and 0 to 8 weeks (P less than 0.01). Weekly feed conversion ratio of T4 group was significantly better (P less than 0.01) at 6th week and 7th week than T1 and T2 group birds. The birds fed with T4 had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher foot web index compared to T1 and T2 group birds. Iron supplemented groups had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher dressing per cent. T4 had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher deposition of iron in thigh muscle. Thus, dietary supplementation of FeSO4 @ 160 mg/kg resulted in better growth performance, immunity, significantly higher dressing per cent and significantly higher deposition of iron in thigh meat cuts.

Assessment of Immunocompetence Traits of Aseel, an Indian Native Chicken Breed

Assessment of Immunocompetence Traits of Aseel, an Indian Native Chicken Breed

Estimation of growth and immunocompetence traits in the progenies produced through di-allel crosses of Aseel, CARI-Red and Rhode Island Red chicken

Estimation of growth and immunocompetence traits in the progenies produced through di-allel crosses of Aseel, CARI-Red and Rhode Island Red chicken

Mode of Inheritance of Immunocompetence Traits in Three Japanese Quail Populations

Mode of Inheritance of Immunocompetence Traits in Three Japanese Quail Populations

Effect of different lighting regimen on the body weight, FCR, haematological attributes and immunocompetence traits of turkey poults

Effect of different lighting regimen on the body weight, FCR, haematological attributes and immunocompetence traits of turkey poults

Genetic analysis of immunocompetence and growth performance in a selected strain of Rhode Island Red chicken

This investigation was aimed to assess genetics of immunocompetence (IC) and growth performances in a selected strain of Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken maintained at Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar. Five weeks aged pedigreed RIR chicks (265) were immunized against 1% (v/v) sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) suspension and 5th day post immunization (dpi) haemagglutination (HA) titre, serum lysozyme and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were estimated. Data on these IC traits and body weights of different age groups were analyzed by least squares ANOVA taking sire as random, sex and IC levels as fixed effect in the linear model. Analysis revealed that sire had significant effect on serum IgG concentration, and both the sire and sex had also significant effect on body weights. The heritability estimates were 0.302±0.188, 0.516±0.22, 0.468±0.219, 0.302±0.188 and 0.344±0.21 for serum IgG, body weights at 16th, 20th, 40th and 64th week of age, respectively. The serum IgG concentration had moderate to high genetic correlations with the body weights of different age groups in positive trend. HA titre showed negative low phenotypic correlations with serum lysozyme and IgG concentrations. Birds with low serum IgG level had significantly the highest body weights at 40th and 64th week of age than those having medium or high levels. The results indicated that RIR birds' IC is sire-influenced and may also impact on birds' body weights.

Correlation of innate immunocompetence traits with economic traits in various indigenous and exotic breeds of chicken

Birds (433) were utilized for investigation at 7 weeks of age and at 45 weeks of age (119). The immunological traits measured included humoral response like HA, MER and MES; non-specific immune responses like CPW and APW complement and PI and CMI response. In two broiler lines, body weight at 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 weeks of age were measured in addition to body weight at hatch and feed efficiency to 10 weeks of age. In rest of the genetic groups, the economic traits measured included day old body weight, body weight, shank length and keel length at 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks of age, age at sexual maturity, egg production as number of eggs to 40 weeks of age, egg weight at 40 weeks of age, per cent mortality during different periods up to 20 weeks of age, feed consumption per day, and feed conversion ratio to produce a dozen of eggs or a kg of egg mass. All the traits were measured on individual birds except for per cent mortality and feed efficiency in broilers. For evaluation of humoral and nonspecific responses except PI, the birds were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBCS) by injecting 1 ml of 25% (v/v) SRBCs suspension in PBS intramuscularly in thigh muscle. The various components of immunocompetence parameters like humoral and nonspecific responses were measured on day 5, 12 and 19-post immunization. Natural antibodies for various immunocompetence traits were also measured on the day of SRBC injection. For evaluation of effect of age, birds of the Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck and Frizzle were immunized against SRBCs at 45 weeks of age and immunocompetence traits were measured on day 0 and 7 p.i. CMI response was estimated by injecting 0.1 ml of PHA-P interdigitally (100 μg PHA-P/0.1 ml of PBS) between the 3rd and 4th toe of the right foot of each chicken as Foot index (FI) and was estimated by measuring the skin swelling. Data so collected were analyzed statistically utilizing appropriate statistical procedures to evaluate correlation coefficients among immunological and economic traits calculated as simple product moment correlation. HA was positively correlated with MER, CPW and APW and negatively correlated with FI and PI. The trend remained the same on all the days of study. The correlation of MER with CPW and APW were mostly positive and did not present any definite trend in both magnitude and direction with FI and PI. The correlations between CPW and APW were positive and highly significant. No definite trend was observed for the correlation between CPW with FI and PI. The trend remained the same for APW also. FI and PI were negatively correlated in indigenous breeds and broilers but positively correlated in Dahlem Red and White Leghorns. Irrespective of direction, all the estimates were small. HA was seen to be positively correlated with body weight, shank length, keel length, ASM and negatively correlated with egg production and mortality. MER was positively correlated with body weight, shank length, keel length and ASM and negatively correlated with egg production and mortality. The relationship of FI and PI with body weight, shank length, and keel length was negative. Relation between FI and egg production was negative. The relationship of immunocompetence traits with economic traits presented in the literature as well as realized in this study did not lead to any definite conclusion suggesting more study to quantify the magnitude and direction of relationship for their use in practical breeding programmes.

Effect of maternal dietary manipulation and in ovo injection of nutrients on the hatchability indices, post-hatch growth, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and immunocompetence traits of turkey poults

ABSTRACTTwo hundred turkey breeder hens and 24 viable toms of 30-35 weeks (wk) old of small white variety were distributed into 2 treatment groups having 4 replicates First four replicates were offered diet A [National Research Council. 1994. Nutrient requirements of poultry. 8th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press] and other four replicates were maintained on a higher plane of nutrition – diet B for 8 wk. Five hundred and fortyeight fertile eggs on 21st embryonic day were in ovo injected with nutrients (essential amino acids - INA; linolenic acid, linoleic acid, retinol and DL-alpha-tocopherol-INFV; INA + INFV-INAFV, sham control – S and un-injected control – C). INAFV poults had significantly (P < .01) higher body weight compared to other treatment groups till 8 wk of age. Total immunoglobulins in response to 1% sheep red blood cells were significantly higher (P < .01) in the INA group compared to the C group. Cell-mediated immune response was significantly higher (P < .01) in the diet B group compared to diet A group. Thus, INAFV treatment may be carried out for better posthatch growth and breeders may be maintained on higher plane of nutrition along with INA treatment to elicit better post-hatch immunity.

Immunocompetence based scoring index for evaluating disease resistance status in indigenous and exotic breeds of chicken

Birds (433) of both sexes developed from 8 genetically diverse lines of chickens like Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck and Frizzle fowl along with imported breeds Dahlem Red, White Leghorn, Synthetic Dan Line broiler (SDL) and Naked Neck broiler (NNB) were evaluated for immunocompetence traits, viz. haemagglutinin test (HA), mercaptoethanol resistant (MER or IgG), classical pathway (CPW) and alternate pathway (APW) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) at 0, 5, 12 and 19 days post immunization (pi), CMI response (as foot index against PHA-P), phagocytic index (PI) using carbon clearance test. Per cent mortality was also recorded based on whole hatch from which sample birds were drawn for each group from 0–20 weeks of age. Based on the results of immunocompetence traits, a scoring index was formed and various genotypes were ranked. Dahlem Red exhibited highest HA response followed by indigenous breeds. SDL broilers and White Leghorns ranked lowest for HA response. Dahlem Red excelled all other genetic stocks for IgG, FI and only next in order to Aseel and Kadakanath for CPW and APW. The index was constructed giving equal weightage to each of the traits. Broilers and White Leghorns, which ranked lowest, exhibited highest mortality.

Effect of feeding different levels of Azolla pinnata on blood biochemicals, hematology and immunocompetence traits of Chabro chicken.

Aim:The present study was conducted to see the effect of feeding different levels of Azolla meal on blood biochemicals, hematology and immunocompetence traits of Chabro chicken.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 160 Chabro chicks, which were randomly divided into four treatment groups each with four replicates of 10 birds. The first treatment (T1) served as a control in which basal diets was offered without Azolla supplementation while in T2, T3, and T4 groups, basal diet was replaced with Azolla meal at 5%, 7.5%, and 10% levels, respectively. A feeding trial was conducted upto 8 weeks. At the last week of trial, blood samples were collected randomly from one bird of each replicate and plasma was separated to estimate certain biochemical parameters, some blood metabolites, minerals and enzymes like alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leukocytes count and differential leukocytes count were estimated in fresh blood just after collection. The humoral immune response was measured against sheep red blood cells,and cell-mediated immune response was measured against phyto hemagglutinin lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA-P).Results:The study showed that hematological profile of the Chabro bird was not affected by any treatment except heterophil and lymphocyte which was found higher in T2 and T3 groups and eosinophil was found higher in a T3 group than control. Blood glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, uric acid, and triglycerides were found similar in all the groups and within the normal values for broiler chicken. Liver enzymes and macro mineral content in blood were found similar in all the treatment groups and within normal physiological range. Although AST was found higher in 10% replacement group than control, the value was within normal range for broiler chicken. Although antibody titer was found similar in all the experimental groups in the present study, cell-mediate immune response (response to PHA-P) was found higher in 5%, 7.5%, and 10% replacement groups than control(p<0.05).Conclusion:Similar blood biochemical parameters and higher cell-mediated immune response in Azolla replacement group indicated immune-modulatory effect of Azolla meal without any toxicity.

Effect of feeding different levels of Azolla pinnata on blood biochemicals, hematology and immunocompetence traits of Chabro chicken

Effect of feeding different levels of Azolla pinnata on blood biochemicals, hematology and immunocompetence traits of Chabro chicken

Assessment of immune-competence traits among native and cross bred chicken

A 3x3 diallel cross experiment between indigenous breeds [Ankleshwar (AN), Nicobari (NC)] and exotic breed (CARI Red) was carried out to study the immune-competence traits like humoral and cell mediated immune (CMI) response. A total of 540 birds were grouped into nine (three pure and six cross breeds, n=60/group) to conduct this 3 × 3 complete diallel cross experiment. Of which a total of 180 birds (n=20/group) were taken as representative birds as 10 male and 10 female from each genetic group to study the immuno-competence traits. Each bird was injected with 1 ml of 1% suspension of Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC) intravenously at 6th week of age to study the humoral immune response. The serum antibody titre against SRBC was measured by Heam agglutination (HA) test. After 10th week of age, the cell mediated immune response was assessed via intra-dermal injection of Phytohemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) on 3rd and 4th toe of the right foot of the chicken. The results of this study showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) in humoral immune response between mating systems and genetic groups. The crossbreds showed significantly higher humoral and cell mediated immune response than purebreds. However, among purebreds, the CR showed better immune response. Moreover, the crosses of CR×NC showed higher humoral and Cell mediated immune response than others, followed by NC×CR. It is concluded that CARI Red as male and Nicobari as female showed better humoral and cell mediated immune response than others.

Calcium dependent or independent pathway for antibody response against sheep red blood cells in various indigenous and imported breeds of chicken

Birds (433), 7-week-old, of both sexes belonging to Indian native breeds including Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck and Frizzle fowl along with the exotic breeds like Dahlem red, White Leghorn, Synthetic Dam Line (SDL) and Naked Neck broiler were utilized to test the complement response (expressed as CH50 unit/ml) to sheep erythrocytes determined by means of both calcium dependent pathway or classical pathway (CPW) and calcium independent pathway or alternate pathway (APW). The effect of genotype (breed), sex and their interactions on antibody response was also studied. The results revealed the presence of natural CPW and APW antibodies on day of immunization in all groups under study irrespective of sex. The natural APW response was highest in Aseel and lowest in broilers. The highest CPW responses were observed in Dahlem red and Aseel followed by Kadakanath, Naked Neck, White Leghorn, Frizzle, SDL broiler and NN broiler on day 5 p.i. Aseel had the highest level followed by Kadakanath, but Dahlem Red showed much regressed value on day 12 p.i. and also on day 19 p.i. In all the genetic lines peak response was observed on 5th day p.i. and declined thereafter. Aseel, which showed highest response on day 5 p.i. for APW response also had the highest value on day 12 p.i. and 19 p.i. and lowest response was observed in broilers. Males excelled the females for APW response at all days of measurements post immunization in all genetic groups except Dahlem Red and NN broiler on 12&lt;supth/sup&gt;, day p.i. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation in CPW and APW response among the various genetic groups and this remained consistent in all days of post immunization i.e. on day 0,5,12,19 p.i. Sex effects were not significant in any days of p.i. for C.P.W response. Sex effects were significant on days 12 and 19 p.i. only. However, interaction between breed and sex were significant on days 5, 12, and 19 p.i. for CPW and for APW, on days 0 and 19 p.i. It is concluded that the chicken populations utilized in this study differed widely with respect to their immunocompetence traits, on different days of post SRBC injection and observed higher antibody than young birds.

Impact of immunocompetence index based selection on health conditions in broiler chicken

Present investigation was carried out to assess the impact of immunocompetence index based selection on the survivability of Synthetic Dam Line of broiler chicken. The base population (G0) was screened for various immunocompetence traits, which were then combined in to an index, called immunocompetence (IC) index and two generations (G1 and G2) were obtained after selection for high and low IC index values. Significant differences in percent mortality patterns were noticed in the base population (P< 0.05) and G1 generation (P<0.01), whereas, in G2 generation, high index line had comparatively higher per cent mortality (2.07) as compared to the low index lines (1.29). However, the overall mortality rate was reduced substantially over the two generations of divergent IC index based selection in broiler chicken. The present investigation revealed that selective breeding for better immunocompetence status using IC index could lead to better health status in terms of reduced mortality in broiler chicken.

Effect of dietary manipulation on production, reproduction and immunocompetence traits in turkey breeder hens

Turkey breeder hens (200) and viable toms (24) of 30–35 weeks of age of small white variety were distributed into 2 treatment groups having 4 replicates of 25 hens and 3 toms in each treatment. First four replicates were offered turkey breeder diet (diet A) (NRC 1994) and other 4 replicates were offered high immune diet (diet B) having 115% amino acids, 1% each omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, retinol- 4.95 mg, DL-a-tocopherol- 199.86 mg, ascorbic acid –150 mg, selenium- 0.5 mg and zinc–118 mg / kg diet for 8 week duration. After 6 weeks of experimental feeding, 2 replicates from each treatment groups were vaccinated with ND (R2B) vaccine. Average egg weight of birds fed diet B was significantly higher after 6 weeks of experimental feeding than diet A. Per cent fertility and per cent hatchability on total egg set basis was better in the birds fed diet B than diet A. Chicks hatched from the birds fed diet B were heavier than the birds fed diet A. Total immunoglobulins, IgG and IgM response to sheep red blood cells were also higher in the diet B than diet A. Birds fed diet B had better cell-mediated immune response than birds fed diet A. Birds fed diet B had significantly higher HI titer against R2B vaccination than those fed diet A at 7 days post vaccination. Hence, it may be concluded that turkey breeders may be fed high immune diet to enhance egg weight, chick weight, fertility, hatchability and immune response.

Immunocompetence traits and their association with production traits in CARI-Debendra chicken

The immunocompetence (IC) status of any animal breed indicates about its general response to diseases. Single hatched CARI-Debendra (CD) chicks (84) were evaluated for IC traits (in vivo antibody response to SRBC, serum lysozyme and serum IgG concentrations) and their association with production traits in layer. According to least square mean analysis, the CD population contains HA titre, serum lysozyme and serum IgG concentration of 5.739±0.436, 6.031±0.213μg/ml and 5.999±0.347μg/μl, respectively. But, the sex of CD bird has no significant effect on all the IC traits. Phenotypic correlations between the IC traits were low. The level of HA titre had no significant effect on any of the production trait. Serum lysozyme level had significant effect on BW40 and serum IgG had significant effect on EW28. Birds with medium or low serum lysozyme level revealed higher BW40 than birds with high level. Birds with high serum IgG concentration demonstrated higher EW28 than birds with low and medium levels.

Immunocompetence traits and their inheritance pattern in Kadaknath native chicken

Economics of poultry production can be improved by reducing input on health care (major investment) and increasing production. It necessitates evaluation and exploitation of immunocompetence traits of germplasm. An investigation was carried out on 174 Kadaknath native chickens, maintained at this institute to evaluate immunocompetence profile. Data on three traits viz., antibody response to sheep erythrocytes and serum levels of lysozyme and IgG, were analyzed by least squares analysis of variance taking sire as random and sex as fixed effects. Sire had significant effect on lysozyme (P< 0.05) and IgG (P< 0.08), but sex on none. Haemagglutination titre and lysozyme and IgG levels averaged 7.93± 0.24, 5.07± 0.29g/ml and 12.15± 0.48 μg/ml, respectively. Heritability ranged from medium to high but had higher standard errors. Phenotypic correlations among traits were very low and non-significant. Haemagglutination titre had highly negative genetic correlations with lysozyme level but highly positive with IgG level. The study demonstrated relatively higher immunocompetence profile in Kadaknath chicken. It was also inferred that improvement in general immunocompetence could be achieved by selection for combination of different facets of host's immune systems.