The ínfluence of environmental factors on the immunity and infection in fowl
The purpose of the project is to examine the influence of selected environmental factors and different genetic material on the development of the immune response, protection and infection course in connection with Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in poultry. The investigations will include constant or repeated exposure to selected environmental factors such as differences in light periods, stock density, temperature, and social stress as well as analysis of innate defence mechanisms in genetically different chickens.
- Immunity will include acquired as well as innate immune mechanisms and their interaction, and biological activation mechanisms.
- Infection course will include challenge of chickens with virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) after vaccination and subsequent monitoring of clinical disease, histopathological lesions and excretion of IBDV from the birds.
- Studies of the Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) gene will include structural as well as functional analysis of the gene.
- Studies on the impact of serum concentration of MBL on vaccination and infection will include chicken lines with high and low basic levels of MBL.
- Blocking of innate immune components will include addition of carbohydrates to animals in connection with vaccination.
Responsible: Senior scientist Helle Juul-Madsen
Project period: 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2006
Partners: Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research
Last updated: Thursday 21 June 2007 - [email protected]
Tel: +45 8999 1900