Effect of naked neck gene (NA) and frizzle gene (F) on immunocompetence in chickens

Br Poult Sci. 2002 Mar;43(1):28-32. doi: 10.1080/00071660120109863.

Abstract

1. A total of 98 birds belonging to 4 genetic groups from two specialised populations--heterozygous naked neck (NA*NA/NA*N) and normally feathered (NA*N/NA*N) from one specialised population and heterozygous frizzle (F*F/F*N) and normally feathered (F*N/F*N) from another specialised population--were evaluated for general immunocompetence by assessing antibody response to SRBC, haemolytic complement level in the serum, in-vivo cell mediated immune (CMI) response to Concanavalin-A (Con-A) and a phagocytic index at 10-12 weeks of age. 2. The naked neck gene did not seem to influence the antibody response to SRBC, CMI to Con-A or the phagocytic index. However, significantly higher haemolytic complement level in serum was observed in birds carrying a copy of the NA mutation as compared to the normally feathered birds. 3. Similar trends were observed for the frizzle gene.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens / genetics*
  • Chickens / immunology*
  • Complement Fixation Tests / veterinary
  • Concanavalin A / immunology
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Immunocompetence / genetics*
  • Immunocompetence / immunology
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Phagocytosis / immunology

Substances

  • Concanavalin A