Genotype by Dietary Lysine Interaction for Growth and Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells and Escherichia coli Inoculation in Commercial Broiler Chicks

An experiment was conducted to assess the interaction between genotypes and dietary lysine content in commercial broiler chicks by measuring growth, and response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) inoculation. Female chicks from four genotypes (A=Anak 2000; B=Hubbard; C=Cobb and D=Synthetic broiler) were fed four levels of lysine in diet from d old till the end of experiment. The lysine content of the diet was 9.61, 10.51, 11.41 and 12.31 g/kg. Body weights at 0, 14, 28 and 42 d of age and pen-wise feed intake till 14, 28 and 42 d of age were recorded. Production of antibody against SRBC and resistance to E.coli were measured at 5 d of post inoculation (PI) at 43 d of age. Also, response to phytohemaglutinin-P (PHA-P) was measured at 12 and 24 h of PI at 48 d of age. Genotype by dietary lysine interaction was significant for body weights at 14 and 28 d of age, but not at 42 d of age. Genotype by dietary lysine interaction was not significant for feed efficiency, for antibody titers against SRBC, and for air sac lesion score, relative bodyweight change, and relative weights of bursa and spleen in response to E.coli inoculation. However, a significant interaction was observed between the levels of lysine and dosage of SRBC for antibody titers. There was significant genotype by dietary lysine interaction for cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity (CBH) response to PHA-P at 12 and 24 h of PI. It may be concluded that to obtain optimum body weight and immunity in commercial broilers the dietary lysine requirement may be recommended specific to the genotype.