In the ever-evolving landscape of poultry farming, a recent study published in *Veterinary Research* has shed light on the intricate dance between genetics, immunity, and disease resilience in chickens. Led by Luise Freier from the Institute of Immunology at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, the research delves into the performance of three local chicken breeds—Altsteirer, Ramelsloher, and Bielefelder—in the face of avian influenza virus (AIV) infections. The findings could have significant implications for sustainable agriculture and the poultry industry.
Avian influenza viruses are a persistent threat to both wild and domestic bird populations. With the increasing use of high-performance chicken breeds in poultry production, genetic diversity is on the decline. This study sought to assess the potential resilience of local breeds to infectious diseases, a trait that could be invaluable for sustainable farming practices.
The researchers inoculated 6-week-old chickens with two strains of AIV: a highly pathogenic H7N1 and a moderately pathogenic recombinant virus, TG05-HAR65. The results were telling. The Ramelsloher breed stood out with the lowest clinical score and the highest survival rate. Interestingly, chicken-to-chicken transmission was only observed in the Altsteirer breed, suggesting a breed-specific susceptibility to transmission.
One of the most intriguing findings was the lung infiltration by T cells in the Bielefelder and Ramelsloher breeds. “This indicates a robust immune response in these breeds, which could be a key factor in their resilience to the virus,” noted Freier. The study also explored the impact of laying activity on viral resilience and immunocompetence. When 35-week-old laying hens at peak laying performance were infected with TG05-HAR65, clinical signs, virus shedding, and seroconversion were detected at later time points compared to juvenile chickens. This delay suggests that laying activity might influence the immune response and disease progression.
The commercial impacts of this research are profound. As the poultry industry continues to grow, the need for disease-resistant breeds becomes increasingly important. The findings suggest that local breeds, with their genetic diversity, could offer valuable traits for sustainable agriculture. “Understanding the genetic basis of disease resilience in local breeds could pave the way for breeding programs that enhance disease resistance in commercial flocks,” Freier explained.
Moreover, the study highlights the importance of biosafety management in organic farming. The differences in immune responses and transmission rates among breeds underscore the need for tailored biosafety measures to protect both commercial and local breeds from AIV infections.
This research not only advances our understanding of the complex interplay between genetics, immunity, and disease resilience but also provides a roadmap for future developments in the field. As the agriculture sector grapples with the challenges of sustainable production and disease management, the insights from this study could be a game-changer. By leveraging the genetic diversity of local breeds, farmers and breeders can develop more resilient and sustainable poultry populations, ensuring the health and productivity of flocks worldwide.