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Effect of Selection for Resistance and Susceptibility to Viral Diseases on Concentrations of Dopamine and Immunological Parameters in Six-Week-Old Chickens

R. Dennis^*, H. M. Zhang and H. W. Cheng^*,1

^* Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; and Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, East Lansing, MI 48823

¹ Corresponding author: hwcheng{at}purdue.edu

White Leghorn chickens were inbred respectively from their parent lines, which were diversely selected for resistance (line 6₃) or susceptibility (lines 7₂ and 15I₅) to Marek’s disease and lymphoid leukosis. The differences in disease resistance may have been due to differential regulation of immune and neuroendocrine homeostasis. At 5 wk of age, chickens from the same line were randomly assigned to cages at 4 birds per cage. Blood samples were collected from the chickens at 6 wk of age (n = 10/line). Subsets of T lymphocytes (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺) and B cells were measured using flow cytometry. Concentrations of plasma IgG and dopamine were quantified with ELISA and HPLC assay, respectively. Line 6₃ chickens had a higher percentage of CD8⁺ cells but not CD4⁺ cells than the chickens of the lines 7₂ and 15I₅ (P < 0.01). In contrast, both lines 7₂ and 15I₅ had a greater percentage of B cells (P < 0.01). The concentrations of plasma IgG and dopamine were also regulated differently among the lines; both were in an order of 7₂ > 15I₅ > 6₃ (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). These results suggested that genetic selection for disease resistance also directly or indirectly modified the corresponding genetic components that govern the immune and neuroendocrine systems. The genetic lines of chickens may be used as animal models for investigation of the cellular mechanisms of genetic-environmental interactions on disease resistance.

Key Words: chicken • genetic selection • dopamine • immunoglobulin G • viral disease