ARS | Publication request: ANALYSIS OF MICROSATELLITE DNA MARKERS IN COMMERCIAL BROILER CHICKENS WITH RESPECT TO COCCIDIOSIS DISEASE RESISTANCE

Submitted to: Coccidiosis International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 30, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Previous studies from this laboratory on beta-congenic and other genetically defined chickens indicated that a wide variation in host responses to coccidia existed and that a wide variation in host responses to coccidia existed and that MHC and non-MHC genes were capable of influencing the degree of resistance or suceptibility to eimerian infections. Therefore, a more thorough analysis of the genes that influene coccidiosis resistance is needed to determine the genetic factors that control the immune response and disease resistance to avian coccidiosis. Recent development of poultry DNA markers now allows the application of molecular genetic techniques to identify major genes associated with economic traits possible. Using microsatellite markers developed by Hans Cheng, microsatellite markers were evaluated in commercial broilers and compared to disease resistant phenotypes to identify those markers potentially important in coccidiosis resistance. Preliminary analysis of 35 microsatellite markers revealed that 11 markers may be useful, but further studies are necessary to determine any significant associations of these microsatellite markers with coccidiosis.abs.