Resistance, susceptibility, and immunity to cecal coccidiosis: effects of B complex and alloantigen system L

Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA.

This study examined alloantigen system L effects on resistance to initial infection and acquired immunity to Eimeria tenella infection in three B complex genotypes. Experimental progeny segregating for B and L genotypes were produced from pedigree matings of B2B5 L1L2 sires and dams. Chicks were weighed and inoculated with 30,000 E. tenella oocysts at 6 wk of age to evaluate resistance in four trials (n = 262). Immunity was studied in four additional trials (n = 244) by immunizing progeny with 500 E. tenella oocysts per day for 5 d beginning at 5 wk of age. Two weeks after the last immunization dose, the birds were weighed and challenged with 30,000 E. tenella oocysts. All birds were weighed again and scored for cecal lesion 6 d after the 30,000 oocyst dose challenge. Weight gain and cecal lesion scores were evaluated by ANOVA. Major histocompatibility (B) complex genotypes B2B2 and B5B5 did not affect resistance to initial challenge with E. tenella based on lesion score and weight gain. However, after immunization, the B5B5 and B2B5 genotypes had significantly lower cecal scores than the B2B2 genotype when the birds were rechallenged. Weight gain was not affected among immunized birds. No significant L system effects with or without immunization were detected. These results are consistent with previous research demonstrating B complex effects on immunity to cecal coccidiosis.