Effect of the genetic selection of turkeys for increased body weight and egg production on immune and physiological responses.
Selection of poultry for fast growth rate is often accompanied by a reduction in specific immune responses or increased disease susceptibility. In this study, 17-wk-old male turkeys from each of four closed genetic lines, a randombred control (RBC) line and its subline (F) selected for increased 16-wk BW, and another RBC and its subline (E) selected for increased egg production, were tested for in vivo response to toe web inoculation with phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), in vitro response of lymphocytes in whole blood to PHA-P and concanavalin A (Con A), hemolytic complement activity, differential white blood cell counts, hematology, and serum chemistry values. Fifteen male turkeys from each of two commercial lines, Com A and Com B, were also tested. The large-bodied F line birds had a lower toe web response to PHA-P, lower lymphocyte counts, and lower relative spleen weights than their smaller parent line. Body weights, total erythrocyte counts, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and in vitro mitogenic response to PHA-P and Con A were higher in the F line birds. Line E had lower hemolytic complement levels, lower relative spleen and relative bursal weights, and a higher in vitro mitogenic response to PHA-P than its parent line. The Com B line had a lower toe web response to PHA-P, and lower serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase and bilirubin than Com A. Line Com B had higher total RBC counts and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) than Com A. These results support the concept that some changes in the cell-mediated immune response, as well as other physiological changes that may potentially affect immune response, appear to accompany selection for faster growth.
Bayyari
G R
GR
USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA.
Huff
W E
WE
Rath
N C
NC
Balog
J M
JM
Newberry
L A
LA
Villines
J D
JD
Skeeles
J K
JK
Anthony
N B
NB
Nestor
K E
KE
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A; D004531:Eggs; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006461:Hemolysis; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010058:Oviposition; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology; D014422:Turkeys / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; C028784:phytohemagglutinin-P; D003208:Concanavalin A; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase