Association of serum hemolytic complement levels with the major histocompatibility complex in chickens.
The total hemolytic complement (C) levels in inbred line 7 chicks and adults were lower than C levels in inbred lines 2 and 3 and in outbred chickens of the same age. In all birds, adult levels of C were obtained in 5- to 6-wk-old chickens. Analysis of F1 and F3 generations clearly showed that the C level in chickens was determined by a dominant gene(s) associated with the major histocompatibility complex. Finding this association in a nonmammal strengthens the importance of the relationship between closely linked genes controlling histocompatibility, immune responsiveness, mixed leukocyte reaction, and C activity.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens
D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D003165:Complement System Proteins