Serum biochemical profiles are distinct between White Leghorn chicken lines selected for divergent antibody response to sheep red blood cells

Authors: FACCHETTI V. ASSUMPC, ANNA - University Of Arkansas; Caputi, Valentina; ASHWELL, CHRISTOPHER - University Of West Virginia; HONAKER, CHRISTA - Virginia Tech; SIEGEL, PAUL - Virginia Tech; TAYLOR, ROBERT - University Of West Virginia; Lyte, Joshua

Submitted to: BMC Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2026
Publication Date: 1/13/2026
Citation: Facchetti V. Assumpc, A.L., Caputi, V., Ashwell, C.M., Honaker, C.F., Siegel, P., Taylor, R.J., Lyte, J.M. 2026. Serum biochemical profiles are distinct between White Leghorn chicken lines selected for divergent antibody response to sheep red blood cells. BMC Veterinary Research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05277-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05277-8

Interpretive Summary: Salmonella carriage in poultry is not restricted to the gut, but also occurs in extra-intestinal sites such as the liver. As such, poultry liver function may provide diagnostic markers of Salmonella infection in the bird. The role of the humoral immune system in chickens is critical in producing antibodies that help to clear Salmonella infection. Hence, it is critically important to understand how the chicken immune system may affect liver function to potentially determine the basis for diagnostic markers that may indicate Salmonella infection and overall bird health. The present study sought to determine an important unknown, namely how antibody production in the bird can shape blood serum biochemistry profiles that represent liver function and overall health. We identified that selection pressure on chickens to diverge in antibody profiles can cause divergence in blood serum biomarkers that can indicate altered liver function. This work provides the foundation for understanding the link between the humoral immune system and blood biomarkers in poultry indicative of health and food safety status.

Technical Abstract: For forty-nine generations, White Leghorn chickens have been selected for divergent responses to injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), generating the high (HAS) or low (LAS) antibody response lines. The objective of this study was to determine if selection for systemic antibody concentrations would result in divergence in blood serum biochemistry profiles. Our results showed that HAS chickens had higher globulin and potassium levels and lower albumin: globulin (A:G) ratio serum concentrations than LAS chickens at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. At 12 weeks, HAS had total protein (TP) higher than LAS. Additionally, at 16 and 66 weeks, HAS had a higher concentration of creatinine kinase (CK) than LAS. At 8 weeks, alanine transferase (ALT) levels were lower in HAS than LAS, and at 12 weeks, LAS females' ALT levels were higher than HAS females. Furthermore, HAS had higher gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels than LAS at 12 and 16 weeks. The TP, globulin, and A:G ratios are consistent with the selection of HAS for higher antibody concentration. Additionally, our data also showed a divergence in potassium and liver enzyme levels between HAS and LAS. Females at 66 weeks had a biochemistry profile consistent with egg production, including increased total cholesterol (TC), total bile acid (TBA), aspartate transferase (AST), calcium, and phosphorus levels, plus decreased uric acid and GGT concentrations compared with their male counterparts. Our findings demonstrate that direct selection on the humoral immune system resulted in serum biochemical profiles. These results are likely to serve as potential informative and diagnostic markers in poultry performance and foodborne pathogen carriage.