Lines Of White Leghorn Chickens Research Articles

Correlated effects of selection for immunity in White Leghorn chicken lines on natural antibodies and specific antibody responses to KLH and M. butyricum

BackgroundThe effect of selection for three general immune response traits on primary antibody responses (Ab) to Mycobacterium butyricum or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) was studied in four experimental lines of White Leghorn chicken. Birds underwent 12 generations of selection for one of three different general immune criteria; high antibody response to Newcastle disease virus 3 weeks after vaccination (ND3), high cell-mediated immune response, using the wing web response to phytohemglutinin (PHA) and high phagocytic activity, measured as carbone clearance (CC). Line ND3-L was selected on ND3, line PHA-L was selected on PHA, and line CC-L on CC, but all lines were measured for all three traits. The fourth line was a contemporary random bred control maintained throughout the selection experiment. Principal component analysis was used to distinguish clusters based on the overall set of immune measures.ResultsIn the KLH immunised group, no differences were present between lines for natural antibodies binding to KLH and LPS, and, lines ND3-L and PHA-L had higher titers to LTA and anti-Gal titers measured before the immunisation protocol. The measure of ND3 was correlated positively with LPS titers measured post KLH immunisation and with the difference between LPS titers measured at day 0 and 7 post immunisation. In the M. butyricum immunised group, Line ND3-L showed significantly higher specific antibody response to M. butyricum, and this result agrees well with the hypothesis that the Th-1 pathway was expected to be selected for in this line.ConclusionThis study has shown that the two different antigens KLH and M. butyricum gave rise to different responses in the set of selected lines, and that the response was only enhanced for the antigen associated with the same response mechanism as that for the trait (ND3, PHA or CC) for which the line was selected. Interactions between innate and acquired immunity have been observed mainly for the high antibody selected trait, indicating there was a specific interaction due to the selection criterion. Furthermore, the results confirmed the independence between the three selected traits. Finally, principal component analysis contributed to visually discriminate high and low responders to the two new antigens in the four lines.

Antibody Responses to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, Lipopolysaccharide, and Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine in F2 and Backcrosses of White Leghorn Lines Selected for Two Different Immune Response Traits

Planned crosses were designed to produce an F(2) and 2 backcross populations from 2 lines of White Leghorn chickens previously selected over 10 generations for 2 different in vivo immune responses. The selection criteria applied on the 2 grandparental lines were as follows: high antibody response to Newcastle disease virus vaccine 3 wk after vaccination (ND3) and high cell-mediated immune response [response to phytohemagglutinin]. Furthermore a control line was kept by random breeding. The objective of the study was to estimate if the 2 selection criteria applied on the pure lines had changed the level of and type of immune (humoral) response to a new antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), in the various second-generation progeny groups. In addition, correlations between parameters of acquired and innate immunity were tested. Primary total (IgT) and isotype-specific (IgG and IgM) antibody response to KLH 1 wk after immunization and levels of natural antibodies (NAB) binding to Salmonella enteriditis-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured. Although no differences were present between IgM and IgG antibodies to KLH and the phytohemagglutinin skin-swelling response, significant differences were present between all the progeny groups for IgT to KLH and ND3 and NAB binding to LPS. The mean values for IgT to ND3 and KLH were significantly different between the crosses using the selected lines compared with the control line, indicating a contribution of the previous selection. In addition, a sex effect was found for IgM to KLH and NAB to LPS, for which females had a higher response than males in both cases. No interaction between progeny type and sex was found. Furthermore, significant positive correlations were found between NAB to LPS and specific antibody titers to KLH. Finally, the results of the present study demonstrated an interaction between innate and acquired immunity under this strategy of selection and crossbreeding and confirmed the effect of selection on general immune response to a new antigen in second-generation crosses.

A QTL for osteoporosis detected in an F2 population derived from White Leghorn chicken lines divergently selected for bone index

Osteoporosis, resulting from progressive loss of structural bone during the period of egg-laying in hens, is associated with an increased susceptibility to bone breakage. To study the genetic basis of bone strength, an F(2) cross was produced from lines of hens that had been divergently selected for bone index from a commercial pedigreed White Leghorn population. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting the bone index and component traits of the index (tibiotarsal and humeral strength and keel radiographic density) were mapped using phenotypic data from 372 F(2) individuals in 32 F(1) families. Genotypes for 136 microsatellite markers in 27 linkage groups covering approximately 80% of the genome were analysed for association with phenotypes using within-family regression analyses. There was one significant QTL on chromosome 1 for bone index and the component traits of tibiotarsal and humeral breaking strength. Additive effects for tibiotarsal breaking strength represented 34% of the trait standard deviation and 7.6% of the phenotypic variance of the trait. These QTL for bone quality in poultry are directly relevant to commercial populations.

Further Evidence of Linkage at the tva and tvc Loci in the Layer Lines and a Possibility of Polyallelism at the tvc Locus

Three lines of White Leghorn (WL) chickens (IWJ, IWG and IWC) maintained at Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar (UP), were used for chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and liver tumour (LT) assay. Eleven-day-old embryos of each line were partitioned into three groups and inoculated with 0.2 ml of subgroup A, subgroup C and an equal mixture of subgroup A and C Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). Subgroup virus receptor on the cell surface membrane for subgroup A is coded for by tumour virus a (tva) locus and for subgroup C by tumour virus c (tvc) locus. The random association of the genes at the tva and tvc loci in IWJ and IWC line was assessed and the χ 2 -values for phenotypic classes were found to be significant, indicating the linkage between the tva and tvc loci. The linkage value was estimated to be 0.09 on pooled sex and pooled line basis. On the basis of four subclass tumour phenotypes a 4-allele model was proposed for tva locus having a s1 , a s2 , a r1 and a r2 alleles and the frequencies were calculated as 0.47, 0.13, 0.13 and 0.27 for IWJ line, 0.31, 0.33, 0.14 and 0.22 for IWG line and 0.44, 0.11, 0.21 and 0.24 for IWC line, respectively. Similarly, for tvc locus the frequencies of four alleles i.e. c s1 , c s2 , c r1 and c r2 were calculated as 0.42, 0.20, 0.21 and 0.17 for IWJ line, 0.42, 0.17, 0.27 and 0.14 for IWG line and 0.30, 0.21, 0.16 and 0.33 for IWC line, respectively. The χ 2 -values for all classes of observations were not significant (p>0.05), indicating a good fit to the 4-allele model for the occurrence of 4-subclass tumour phenotypes for tva and tvc loci. On the basis of the 2-allele model both tva and tvc locus carries three genotypes each. But, on the basis of the 4-allele model tva and tvc locus carries 10 genotypes each. The interaction between A-resistance and C-resistance (both CAM and LT death) was ascertained by taking the 10 genotypes of tva locus and 3 genotypes of tvc locus by pooling the lines and partitioning the observations into 3 classes. The χ 2 -values for the genotypic classes of CAM (-) LT (+) and CAM (-) LT (-) phenotypes to mixed virus (A+C) infection were found to be highly significant (p<0.01), indicating increased resistance, which indicates the joint segregation of a r and c r genes, suggesting the existence of close linkage between the tva and tvc loci. Therefore, an indirect selection approach using subgroup C viruses can be employed to generate stocks resistant to subgroup A LLV, obviating contamination with the most common agent causing LL in field condition. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 5 : 601-605)

Integrating genetics and genomics to identify new leads for the control ofEimeriaspp.

Eimerian parasites display a biologically interesting range of phenotypic variation. In addition to a wide spectrum of drug-resistance phenotypes that are expressed similarly by many other parasites, the Eimeria spp. present some unique phenotypes. For example, unique lines of Eimeria spp. include those selected for growth in the chorioallantoic membrane of the embryonating hens egg or for faster growth (precocious development) in the mature host. The many laboratory-derived egg-adapted or precocious lines also share a phenotype of a marked attenuation of virulence, the basis of which is different as a consequence of the in ovo or in vivo selection procedures used. Of current interest is the fact that some wild-type populations of Eimeria maxima are characterized by an ability to induce protective immunity that is strain-specific. The molecular basis of phenotypes that define Eimeria spp. is now increasingly amenable to investigation, both through technical improvements in genetic linkage studies and the availability of a comprehensive genome sequence for the caecal parasite E. tenella. The most exciting phenotype in the context of vaccination and the development of new vaccines is the trait of strain-specific immunity associated with E. maxima. Recent work in this laboratory has shown that infection of two inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens with the W strain of E. maxima leads to complete protection to challenge with the homologous parasite, but to complete escape of the heterologous H strain, i.e. the W strain induces an exquisitely strain-specific protective immune response with respect to the H strain. This dichotomy of survival in the face of immune-mediated killing has been examined further and, notably, mating between a drug-resistant W strain and a drug-sensitive H strain leads to recombination between the genetic loci responsible for the specificity of protective immunity and resistance to the anticoccidial drug robenidine. Such a finding opens the way forward for genetic mapping of the loci responsible for the induction of protective immunity and integration with the genome sequencing efforts.

Response of White Leghorn Chickens of Various Genetic Lines to Infection with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J

In Experiment 1, chickens from various white leghorn experimental lines were inoculated with strain ADOL-Hcl of subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) either as embryos or at 1 day of age. At various ages, chickens were tested for ALV-J induced viremia, antibody, and packed cell volume (PCV). Also, at 4 and 10 wk of age, bursal tissues were examined for avian leukosis virus (ALV)-induced preneoplastic lesions with the methyl green-pyronine (MGP) stain. In Experiment 2, chickens harboring or lacking endogenous virus 21 (EV21) were inoculated with strain ADOL-Hcl of ALV-J at hatch. All embryo-inoculated chickens in Experiment 1 tested positive for ALV-J and lacked antibody throughout the experimental period of 30 wk and were considered viremic tolerant, regardless of line of chickens. By 10 wk of age, the incidence of ALV-J viremia in chickens inoculated with virus at hatch varied from 0 (line 0 chickens) to 97% (line 1515); no influence of ALV-J infection was noted on PCV. Results from microscopic examination of MGP-stained bursal tissues indicate that ALV-J can induce typical ALV-induced transformation in bursal follicles of white leghorn chickens. Lymphoid leukosis and hemangiomas were the most common ALV-J-induced tumors noted in chickens in Experiment 1. At termination of Experiment 2 (31 wk of age), 54% of chickens harboring EV21 were viremic tolerant compared with 5% of chickens lacking EV21 after inoculation with ALV-J at hatch. The data indicate that genetic differences among lines of white leghorn chickens, including the presence or absence of EV21, can influence response of chickens to infection with ALV-J.

Effects of genetic selection for high or low antibody response on resistance to a variety of disease challenges and the relationship of resource allocation.

Lines of white leghorn chickens were selectively bred for either a high (H) or low (L) antibody response to sheep erythrocytes. The parental lines, HH and LL, and reciprocal crosses, HL (sire line cited first and dam line second) and LH, were compared for their responses to various diseases. High antibody titers were associated with reduced body weight. Lines and their crosses were challenged with infectious diseases. The LL line was most resistant to Mycobacterium avium, whereas the HH line was most susceptible. The HH line was most resistant to Mycoplasma gallisepticum, whereas the LL line was most susceptible. These findings indicate that defense against infectious diseases are resource expensive. In order to save resources, it is possible that different parts of a population might genetically devote high levels of resources against different types of diseases so that the entire population is not susceptible to a single infection.

Effects of Group Selection for Productivity and Longevity on Blood Concentrations of Serotonin, Catecholamines, and Corticosterone of Laying Hens

Selection of a line of White Leghorn chickens for high group productivity and longevity resulted in reducing cannibalism and flightiness in multiple-hen cages. Improvements in survival might have been due to changes of physiological homeostasis. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that genetic selection for high (HGPS) and low (LGPS) group productivity and survivability also altered regulation of neuroendocrine homeostasis. Hens were randomly assigned to individual cages at 17 wk of age. At 21 wk of age, blood concentrations of dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin were measured using HPLC assay. Blood concentrations of corticosterone were measured using radioimmunoassay.The LGPS hens had greater blood concentrations of dopamine and epinephrine than the HGPS hens (P < 0.01). The blood concentration of norepinephrine was not significantly different between the lines, but the ratio of epinephrine to norepinephrine was greater in the LGPS hens (P < 0.01). The blood concentrations of serotonin were also higher in the LGPS hens compared to those in the HGPS hens (P < 0.01). Although the HGPS hens tended to have a higher level of blood corticosterone, the difference was not significant (1.87 ±- 0.19 vs. 1.49 ±- 0.21 ng/mL; P = 0.08). The results suggest that selection for group productivity and survivability alters the chickens' neuroendocrine homeostasis, and these changes may correlate with its line-unique coping ability to domestic environments and survivability.

Effect of Genetic Selection for Group Productivity and Longevity on Immunological and Hematological Parameters of Chickens

A line of White Leghorn chickens was selected for high group productivity and longevity resulting in improved survival and feather score as well as reduced cannibalism and flightiness. Improvements in survival might have also been due to improved immunity. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that selection for high (HGPS) and low (LGPS) group productivity and survivability also altered immune and hematological parameters. The LGPS line was an intense reverse selected line of the HGPS line at the eighth generation of development. Hens were randomly assigned to individual cages at 17 wk of age. Blood samples were collected from the hens at 21 wk of age. Subsets of T lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, and γδ cells) were measured using flow cytometry. Concentrations of plasma IgG were quantified with western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assay. Hematological parameters were collected from blood smears.The HGPS hens had significantly higher percentages of blood lymphocytes and CD4+:CD8+ ratios of circulating T cells (P < 0.01) and tended to have more, but not significantly, γδ T cells (P = 0.07) than the LGPS hens. In contrast, the LGPS hens exhibited eosinophilia and heterophilia and greater heterophil:lymphocyte ratios (P < 0.01). The concentrations of plasma IgG were also significantly higher in the LGPS hens (P < 0.01). These results suggest that genetic selection for group productivity and longevity also alters the immunological and hematological systems of hens. The line difference in regulation of T cells, leukocytes, and production of IgG may suggest that different genes or modes of gene action are involved.

Resistance to Marek's Disease Virus in White Leghorn Chickens: Effects of Avian Leukosis Virus Infection Genotype, Reciprocal Mating, and Major Histocompatibility Complex

Genetic improvement for resistance to Marek's Disease (MD) in chickens continues to be of interest to the poultry industry. The aims of this study were to identify effects of the MHC on the molecular level and of avian leukosis virus (ALV) resistance status on MD mortality in two noninbred White Leghorn chicken lines that differ in B blood group type. Previously, within each of the chicken lines, sublines had been selected for resistance or susceptibility to ALV infection with Subgroups A and B. In this study, F2 offspring, obtained by crossing the two ALV-resistant or the two ALV-susceptible sublines, were tested for MD mortality after contact exposure at 1 d of age. Reciprocal matings were made in the grandparental generation. The MD mortality percentages, in an observation period of 17 wk, of F2 offspring from two hatches were 82.63 and 92.35%, respectively. Survival analysis (Cox model) was applied to assess the risk of dying from MD. No differences in MD mortality risk profiles were found between ALV-resistant and ALV-susceptible F2 offspring. Within ALV-susceptible F2 offspring, however, a reciprocal mating effect was observed in both hatches. The MHC Class I, II, and IV restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses were carried out on birds of the first hatch. Although two of 11 MHC class IV RFLP bands displayed a significant effect, in general, a strong association of MHC and MD mortality was not detectable.

Diet and immunological memory of lines of White Leghorn chickens divergently selected for antibody response to sheep red blood cells

Antibody responses to a first, second, and third injection with SRBC, and growth were studied in lines of White Leghorn chickens selected for high (HA) or low (LA) 5-d antibody titers to an i.v. inoculation with 0.1 mL of a 0.25% suspension of SRBC. The experiment involved parallel studies on two groups of chicks hatched from the same matings of parental lines HA and LA at a 14-d interval. Chicks of each age-line subclass were fed either a high or low nutrient density diet from hatch onwards. When chicks of Hatches 1 and 2 were 28 and 14 d of age (doa) respectively, they were injected with 0.1 mL of 0.25% suspension of SRBC, and antibody titers measured 3 and 6 d later. A second and a third injection of the same concentration of SRBC was given to chicks of each age-line-diet subclass at 10-d intervals and antibody titers measured 3 and 6 d after each injection in different chicks randomly sampled from each age-line-diet subclass. After the first injection, antibody (primary) responses of HA chicks were higher than those of LA chicks regardless of age and diet. This difference (HA > LA) observed for the primary response was seldom evident in the responses to the second (secondary) and third (tertiary) injections. Antibody responses of LA chicks after the second and third injections were anamnestic. For HA chicks given the first injection at 28 doa, neither the secondary nor tertiary responses suggested anamnestic capacities, whereas there was apparent memory exhibited by the secondary and tertiary responses of HA chicks initially injected at 14 doa. The LA chicks were significantly heavier than HA chicks at all ages. Even though the higher nutrient density diet increased BW of chicks of both lines, its effect on memory responses was sporadic. The results of this experiment show that, even though divergent selection has been successful in the primary responses, correlated responses in immunological memory were not always observed, suggesting that the two types of responses might be under different genetic control.

Diet and Humoral Responsiveness of Lines of Chickens Divergently Selected for Antibody Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells

Growth and humoral immune response were studied in lines of white leghorn chickens selected for high (HA) or low (LA) 5-day antibody titers to an i.v. inoculation with 0.1 ml of a 0.25% suspension of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) antigen(s). Chicks were fed either a high (E) or low (A) nutrient density diet from hatch onward. Chicks from each line-diet subclass were inoculated i.v. with 0.1 ml of either 0.25% or 2.50% suspension of SRBC at either 7, 14, 21, or 28 days of age. Antibody titers were measured 5, 10, and 20 days after inoculation. LA chicks were heavier than HA chicks at 7 days of age and thereafter. Chicks fed diet E were heavier than those fed diet A. Feed efficiency was influenced by diet (E > A) at 21 and 28 days of age and line (LA > HA) at 28 days of age. In all but one case, antibody titers to SRBC were higher in HA than LA chicks. Also, the frequency of nonresponders of chicks inoculated with SRBC at 7 days of age was higher for LA than HA chicks. The higher dosage elicited greater 5-day antibody responses in LA but not in HA chicks inoculated at 28 days of age. Dietary effects on SRBC antibody were generally unimportant except for occasional interactions of dosage and line.

Plasma Catecholamine and Corticosterone Levels During Manual Restraint in Chicks from a High and Low Feather Pecking Line of Laying Hens

Korte, S. M., G. Beuving, W. Ruesink and H. J. Blokhuis. Plasma catecholamine and corticosterone levels during manual restraint in chicks from a high and low feather pecking line of laying hens. Physiol Behav 62(3) 437–441, 1997.—Neurosympathetic and adrenal responsivity to manual restraint was studied in two White Leghorn chicken lines which differ in their tendency to feather peck. Blood samples were taken from freely moving cannulated birds during resting conditions and during manual restraint (placing the bird on its side for 8 min) to determine plasma noradrenaline, adrenaline and corticosterone. Plasma corticosterone levels in low feather peckers (LFP) were significantly higher during resting conditions and restraint as compared to the high feather peckers (HFP). In response to manual restraint the HFP hens showed a significantly larger plasma noradrenaline response than LFP hens. No difference in plasma adrenaline levels was observed under resting conditions or during manual restraint.

Immunoresponsiveness in Chickens: Association of Antibody Production and the B System of the Major Histocompatibility Complex

Lines of White Leghorn chickens were selected for high or low antibody response to sheep erythrocytes for five generations. The base population from which the experiment started was composed of individuals all of which were heterozygous at the MHC haplotypes B13 and B21. Body weights, egg production traits, and genotypes at the B system were monitored for all individuals in each generation. By Generations 4 and 5 there was separation of the two replicate lines selected for high titer from the two replicate lines selected for low titer. Over the course of the experiment, higher antibody titers and lower BW were associated with B21 and lower antibody titers and higher BW were associated with B13, although these relationships did not occur in every instance. Conclusions were that the B system was associated with antibody response, but that the chickens did not depend entirely upon that association for protection against foreign proteins. Also, the importance of having replicate lines in a selection experiment was shown.

Influence of chicken genotype on protection against Marek's disease by a herpesvirus of turkeys recombinant expressing the glycoprotein B (gB) of Marek's disease virus

Two inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens which differ in B-haplotype were immunized at 2 days of age with a thymidine kinase negative (tk-ve) herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) recombinant expressing the glycoprotein B (gB) gene of Marek's disease virus (MDV) and were challenged 6 days later with 1000 p.f.u. of the highly virulent RB1B strain of MDV. Mock-vaccinated chickens and chickens immunized with a spontaneous tk-ve HVT mutant served as controls. Genetically resistant B 21 chickens were protected by immunization with the recombinant as well as by the tk-ve HVT, whereas highly susceptible B 13 chickens were partially protected by the recombinant but were not protected by the tk-ve HVT. Rhode Island Red chickens (HPRS RIR), which differ from the White Leghorns at the B locus, were protected by both vaccines but the recombinant conferred a significantly higher level of protection than the tk-ve HVT. The results suggest that the gB gene of MDV serotype 1 has an important role in the induction of protective immunity against highly virulent MDV in genetically susceptible lines of chickens and that vaccinal immunity in White Leghorns might be influenced by the B haplotype.

Different endogenous viral loci in Cornish and White Plymouth rock chickens

Endogenous viral (ev) loci were studied in three broiler lines. In 5 birds of each of line cw1 and line cw2 (White Plymouth Rock lines) 19 and 14, respectively, different SstI ev-junction fragments were found, while in 8 R line birds (Cornish type) 15 different Sst I junction fragments were found. Further characterization of the line R loci with a second restriction enzyme, BamHI, revealed that these junction fragments represent 25 different loci, of which at least 21 have not been reported previously. SstI RFLP analysis of progeny from crosses between chickens of the three broiler lines and White Leghorns demonstrated that within line R and cw1 approximately 90% of the ev loci were hemizygous. In line cw2 at least 50% of the ev loci were hemizygous. There was no evidence for polymorphic loci, and only two ev loci were found to be linked genetically. Intertype crosses revealed that overall differences in the RFLP patterns observed between Cornish, White Plymouth Rock and White Leghorn chicken lines were due to the presence of different ev loci in each of the lines rather than to polymorphism. The few shared ev loci always contained similar allelic fragments.

A preliminary linkage map of the chicken genome

We have used backcross progeny from a cross between two inbred lines of chickens to construct a linkage map of the chicken. The map currently consists of 100 loci, identified using either anonymous cloned fragments of genomic DNA or sequences corresponding to cloned genes. Parent birds were derived from two lines of White Leghorn chickens, which differ in susceptibility to a number of diseases. Restriction fragment length variants were identified by comparison of the DNA of these two parent birds using a panel of seven restriction enzyme digests and the segregation pattern observed in progeny of these two birds. Restriction fragment length variants were detected for approximately 41% of the clones tested, whether these were known genes or random genomic fragments. This high level of variability was also reflected in the presence of variation within the parental lines for some clones. The overall size of the linkage groups and the progressively higher incidence of linkage as further clones were added suggests that the map covers the majority of the genome, although it is unlikely that there are marker loci on all the microchromosomes. The present map will be of use in locating genes affecting disease resistance, but also illustrates the relative ease with which such maps for the chicken can be constructed.

Blastoderm degeneration, an early embryonic failure in dwarf Single Comb White Leghorn chickens.

Blastoderm degeneration is an early embryonic lethal condition observed in selected paired matings within a line of dwarf Single Comb White Leghorn chickens that results in a 25% reduction of the hatch of fertilized eggs. The disorder is macroscopically evident at 32 h of incubation by the presence of a small localized indentation on the outer periphery of the expanding blastoderm. The affected blastoderms undergo a series of rapid macroscopic degenerative changes that conclude at about 120 h characterized by the presence of dispersed blastoderm fragments on the surface of the egg's yolk. Microscopically, this embryonic failure appears to manifest itself between Hamburger-Hamilton stages 8 and 9 of development and is characterized by a series of retarded developmental processes: closure of the anterior neuropore, brain vesicle differentiation, somite formation, and cardiac development. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Attempts to identify factors that influence the disorder have thus far been unsuccessful. The symbol bld is proposed for this recessive gene.

Reproductive Performance of Inbred Congenic Leghorns Carrying Different Haplotypes for the Major Histocompatibility Complex

Twelve congenic lines of White Leghorn chickens carrying distinct haplotypes of the MHC (B blood group) but sharing a common genetic background from a highly inbred line (UCD 003) were compared. Each of the lines had been bred back to Line UCD 003 for five generations before intercrossing its members to establish its distinct genetically homozygous MHC type.Seven generations of these congenic lines were compared between 1981 and 1987 for fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, egg production, mortality to 40 wk of age, 40-wk egg weight, and 40-wk body weight. Statistically significant differences between MHC haplotypes were found for all traits except fertility.

Genetic resistance to infectious laryngotracheitis in inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens

The susceptibility of inbred lines of chickens to graded levels of infection with a virulent isolate (wild-strain) of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) was investigated. An association was found between the level of resistance to ILTV and the line of inbred chickens, with chickens from the J1 inbred line being more resistant to clinical ILTV than M1 and N1 inbred chickens. The N1 chickens, however, became susceptible with higher doses of ILTV, while J1 chickens remained relatively resistant to clinical disease. Studies using other inbred lines of chicken which had the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens showed similar levels of resistance or susceptibility, suggesting a possible association of the chicken MHC with resistance or susceptibility to ILTV.