Monocytes-macrophages phagocytosis as a potential marker for disease resistance in generation 1 of dwarf chickens

• Published in: Poultry science 2010-09, Vol.89 (9), p.2022-2029
• Main Authors: Ma, H, Ning, Z.H, Lu, Y, Han, H.B, Wang, S.H, Mu, J.F, Li, J.Y, Lian, Z.X, Li, N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Animal Feed - standards; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Biomarkers; chicken breeds; chickens; Chickens - genetics; Chickens - physiology; Diet - veterinary; disease resistance; Female; genetic improvement; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; heritability; immune response; immunity; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - physiology; Male; miniature breeds; monocytes; Monocytes - cytology; Monocytes - physiology; phagocytosis; Phagocytosis - physiology; progeny; progeny testing; Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum; Salmonella Infections, Animal - immunology; Salmonella pullorum; selection criteria; selection response; viability
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.2010-00824

Monocytes-macrophages play an indispensable role in the immune system. The current study investigated the effect of selection for monocytes-macrophages phagocytosis on disease resistance in generation 1 (G1) of dwarf chickens. Five hundred dwarf chickens of generation 0 (G0) were divided into high and low phagocytic index (PI) groups (HPIG and LPIG, respectively) based on their PI of monocytes-macrophages at 290 d of age. Then, 2 x 2 mating combinations were conducted. Sixty G0 chickens from another dwarf chicken group were used to measure the levels of monocytes-macrophages phagocytosis at different developmental stages. Among a total of 2,500 randomly selected G1 chickens, 2,100 individuals were used for a surviving and growing test under adverse feeding circumstances, and the other 400 individuals were tested for Salmonella Pullorum challenge. The results showed that progenies of HPIG hens ([female symbol]) were more resistant to Salmonella Pullorum. After challenge, the death rate of progeny from HPIG [female symbol] (28.9%) was only 58% that of progeny from LPIG [female symbol] (49.4%, P < 0.001). In addition, the natural infection rate of Salmonella Pullorum before 207 d for offspring from HPIG [female symbol] (35.0%) was significantly lower than that for offspring from LPIG [female symbol] (48.3%, P < 0.001). The natural mortality before 56 d in progeny of HPIG [female symbol] (22.6%) was significantly lower than that in progeny of LPIG [female symbol] (29.1%) with a P-value of 0.001. The G1 chickens of HPIG G0 [female symbol] weighed more than those born to LPIG G0 [female symbol] at 28 and 42 d of age, whereas the difference was not statistically significant at 56 d of age. The heritability of monocytes-macrophages phagocytosis was 0.40, which was moderate. The PI values were at a low level before 126 d and increased dramatically until they declined significantly after 294 d. It could be concluded that phagocytosis of monocytes-macrophages is a marker for breeding excellent progeny with strong disease resistance.