Open AccessPrediction of Immunocompetence and Resistance to Disease by Using Molecular Markers of the Major Histocompatibility Complex
Author(s) -
Susan J. Lamont,
E. D. Heller,
A. Cahaner
Publication year - 1994
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.32747/1994.7568780.bard
Subject(s) - biology , immune system , disease , immunology , molecular marker , major histocompatibility complex , antibody , genetic marker , selection (genetic algorithm) , plant disease resistance , immunocompetence , antigen , antibody response , genetics , gene , medicine , pathology , artificial intelligence , computer science
This project utilized two live-animal populations in an integrated research program to identify molecular markers for immune response and disease resistance. The populations each had their foundation from meat-type commercial breeder chicken lines of their respective countries. Investigations effectively used unique availability of resources in each country to study commercial-type environments in Israel and line-crosses with diverse inbred lines in the US. Two bacterial systems were investigated to cover both respiratory and gastrointestinal, and primary and secondary, infections. Individual experimental groups of animals were evaluated for combinations of vaccine antibody levels, response to pathogen challenge, growth parameters, genetic background and molecular markers. The positive association of antibody level with resistance to disease was confirmed. Effectiveness of genetic selection for vaccine antibody response level was demonstrated. Molecular markers, both inside and outside the MHC region, were associated with antibody response and resistance to disease. Markers were shown to have a generalized effect, by association with multiple traits of immune response and disease resistance. The impact of genetic background on marker effect was shown to be important. The overall results demonstrate the effectiveness of selection on vaccine antibody response and the potential of molecular marker-assisted selection to improve efficiency of production of meat-type chickens by reducing genetic susceptibility to disease.