ARS | Publication request: USE OF RECOMBINANT CONGENIC CHICKEN STRAINS TO DEFINE NON-MHC GENES INFLUENCING MAREK'S DISEASE RESISTANCE

Submitted to: International Marek's Disease Symposium Abstracts and Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 7, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: ADOL-selected inbred lines 63 and 72 are resistant or susceptible, respectively, to Marek's disease (MD). However, both of these lines are homozygous for the same Mhc genes (B**2 haplotype). To identify the non-Mhc genes influencing MD, we are developing recombinant congenic strains (RCS) between lines 63 and 72. An F1 and two backcross generations swere made using 63 as the recurrent parental female line. Twenty-four RCS were initiated, and with subsequent sib-matings each of these will become inbred, and will contain a differing 12.5% of the line 72 genome. Chicks in 17 of the RCSs in the first generation after strain development were used for an initial analysis of MD susceptibility. Chicks from seven hatches were inoculated with JM virus at 1 week of age. Chicks from six strains were resistant to MD tumors, while six other strains revealed less than 6% susceptibility. Chicks from three strains had good evidence for MD tumor susceptibility, and susceptibility was related to the parents used within some strains, suggesting there may be major MD susceptibility genes segregating in those strains. Additional development of these strains should result in the identification of non-Mhc genes affecting MD susceptibility. DNA analysis of RCS chickens may elucidate the identification and functionality of relevant genes.