Host genetics, lung T-cell immunity, and laying activity determine the disease outcome in avian influenza virus-infected chickens.

ABSTRACT: Avian influenza viruses pose a threat to both wild and domestic bird populations worldwide. In particular, chickens kept outdoors have contact with wild birds and thus an increased risk of infection with influenza viruses. Increasing use of high-performance chicken breeds in growing poultry production reduces genetic diversity whereas local breeds may offer valuable traits such as disease resilience important for sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the immunological performance of three local chicken breeds (Altsteirer, Ramelsloher, and Bielefelder) in Germany to assess their potential resilience to infectious diseases such as avian influenza. Viral resilience was assessed by inoculating 6-week-old chickens with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 and the moderately

SUBMITTER: Freier L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849319 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature