Can B-haplotype markers be used for genetic selection to increased disease resistance in broilers

作者：E. D. Heller, G. Leitner, Z. Uni, L. Carmeli, Y. Hillel, M. Gutman, A. Cahaner · 发表于：European Poultry Science · 年份：1993 · DOI：10.1016/s0003-9098(25)01447-x · 研究领域：Biology

The immune system is the major physiological defense against diseases in poultry. Based on the information available on genetics with regard to functions of the immune system (LEITNER et al., 1992), we hypothesized that viability of chickens can be genetically improved by selection. However, due to the complexity of general viability and because major components of the immune system may have in independent genetic control (Brozzr et al., 1979; CttENG and LAMONT, 1988) direct selection is not feasible. Therefore an indirect selection has to be applied, using as criteria either specific functions of the immune system or genetic markers linked to relevant genes, most likely those of the chicken's major histocompatibility complex (MHC). We starred with selection on immune functions about 10 years ago. Rather than looking at the level of specific antibody response of chickens with fully matured immune system (SIEGEL and GROSS, 1980; PEVZNER et al., 1981; V AN