In vivo phagocytic activity in various indigenous and exotic breeds of chicken for genetic selection

Abstract

Birds (433) of both the sexes developed from Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck, Frizzle, Dahlem Red, White Leghorn, SDL and Naked Neck broilers, were evaluated for phagocytic activity at the age of 10 weeks of age. The mean phagocytic activity in terms of phagocytic index (PI) determined using in-vivo carbon clearance assay averaged over both the sexes was highest for Frizzle (0.27) followed by White Leghorn (0.16), SDL broiler and Kadakanath (0.14) and PI value for rest of the genetic lines was 0.13. Sex and genetic group differences were significant but breed and sex interaction was not statistically significant. The combination of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and macrophages may be needed for providing optimum immune responses to chickens with a complete spectrum of resistance processes. Differences between genetic groups for phagocytic activity suggest, that selection for this trait will be effective to improve phagocytic activity. All immunocompetence traits however are to be taken into account for the development of disease resistant strain of poultry.