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Marek's disease and major histocompatibility complex haplotypes in chickens selected for high or low antibody response
Author(s) -
MARTIN A.,
DUNNINGTON E. A.,
BRILES W. E.,
BRILES R. W.,
SIEGEL P. B.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
animal genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2052
pISSN - 0268-9146
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1989.tb00896.x
Subject(s) - biology , major histocompatibility complex , genotype , haplotype , marek's disease , disease , genetics , genome , virology , immunology , antigen , virus , gene , pathology , medicine
Summary. Sublines of chickens differing in genotypes at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) were developed from lines selected for high (HA) and low (LA) antibody response to sheep erythrocytes. To evaluate the influence of MHC genotypes in diverse background genomes on resistance to Marek's disease, chicks with MHC genotypes B 13 B 13 , B 13 B 21 and B 21 B 21 from both background genomes were exposed naturally commencing at 1 day of age. Individuals which died up to 120 days of age were autopsied to determine cause of death. Mortality due to Marek's disease was greater for HA than LA chickens and greater for males than females. Interactions of MHC genotypes with background genome and with sex suggest a complex picture of the influence of MHC genotypes. A heterozygous advantage for resistance to Marek's disease was noted, as would be predicted by genetic theory concerning maintenance of polymorphism at the MHC.