Immunocompetence Profile of Indian Native vs Exotic Chicken Breeds

The native chicken breeds were evolved over natural selection since time immemorial. The immunocompetence status of chicken breed tells us about its general response to diseases. It was assumed that the native birds survive in harsh climatic conditions and has a higher degree of resistance to diseases as compared with other exotic breeds.

Indian native chicken breeds viz. Black Nicobari, Ghagus and exotic breed, Dahlem Red were studied for their growth and immunocompetence traits under deep litter management system. The native and exotic breeds were evaluated for Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity (CBH) response against Phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), humoral immune response against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antigen and Flow Cytometry analysis of CD8+ Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).

The Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL/μl) population significantly differed (P<0.05) between native Ghagus (2132.34±69.526) and Black Nicobari (2023.53±75.14) vs exotic breeds Dahlem Red 1649.49±64.54) of chicken.CBH response to PHA-P significantly differed (P<0.05) between Ghagus (375.836±15.04) and Dahlem Red (267.603±13.99). Sex wise CBH response (based on pooled samples across breeds) showed that females had significantly higher response as compared to males. Serum haemagglutination inhibition titre (log₂) in response to ND vaccine was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Dahlem Red chicken (2.44±0.12) as compared to the two native breeds. Females were having significantly higher HI titre compared to males. In conclusion, the NDV response was considerably higher in exotic breeds as compared to native breeds; however, the trend was just the reverse in case of CBH response.