Studies on immunocompetence traits in White Leghorn chicken*

To study the SRBC antibody response and cell mediated immunity(CMI) one selected line (IWH) and control were utilized and were evaluated after 40 weeks of age.50 birds from each group of high, medium and low feed efficiency were studied in both lines. For 0 day SRBC response (log₂) was highest in high feed efficiency group followed by low feed efficiency group and medium feed efficiency group. For 7th day SRBC response was highest in high feed efficiency group followed by medium feed efficiency group and low feed efficiency group. These groups differed significantly for antibody response. For 0 day, Mercapto ethanol titre(ME) three groups of feed efficiency did not differ significantly. For 7th day ME titre was highest in medium feed efficiency group followed by low feed efficiency group and high feed efficiency group. In control line for SRBC response all the three groups did not differ significantly. CMI response was evaluated in IWH line and control line in each feed feed efficiency group. It did not follow a definite pattern in selected line. In control foot index value was highest in high feed efficiency group followed by medium feed efficiency and low feed efficiency groups.