Comparative evaluation of immune competence and disease resistance in dual purpose chicken Vanaraja and Gramapriya vis-a-vis coloured synthetic broiler

Abstract

The immune competence and disease resistance in rural poultry germplasm (Vanaraja and Gramapriya) vis-a-vis
coloured synthetic broiler (Krishibro) from 0-8 weeks-old were studied. The antibody production in response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) inoculation ditfered significantly among the genotypes and was consistent in all the ages. Gramapriya
(G) and Vanaraja (V) had the highest antibody titers than those of Krishibro (K). The cell-mediated immune response
differed significantly among the genotypes in various ages. The spleen weight for genotypes G and V were higher than
those of genotype K at all the ages except in 42 days of age. At this age the spleen weight for genotype V was intermediate
to both the extremes but did not differ significantly from those of genotypes G and K, but bursa weight among the genotypes did not differ at 28 and 56 days of age. At 42 days of age the bursa weight was highest and lowest in genotypes V and K, respectively, while for genotype G. the weight was intermediate. The lesion score in response to Escherichia
coli was significantly higher in genotype K, as compared to those of genotypes G and V, which did not differ from each
other. The other 3 traits such as relative body weight loss or gain; spleen and bursa weight did not differ among the
genotypes. It was concluded that genotypes G and V developed for family poultry production had better resistance to Escherichia coli and higher humoral immune response to SRBC and CBH response to PHA-P.