• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.165-168
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• 1999

To determine the effects of genetic and environmental influences on cell mediated immune (CMI) responses in broiler rabbits, contact sensitivity to 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was assessed in three temperate broiler breeds of rabbits, namely Soviet Chinchilla, New Zealand White and Grey Giant. The feasibility of using the contact sensitivity to DNCB as a marker trait in selection for disease resistance was examined. There were highly significant differences between breeds (p<0.01) in initial skin thickness and contact sensitivities to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Initial skin thickness was greatest in the Soviet Chinchilla breed (mean 2.2484 mm), and was significantly greater (p<0.01) in males (2.4963 mm) than in females (1.7846 mm) (p<0.01). Highest contact sensitivity to DNCB was in the New Zealand White breed with mean increase in skin thickness of 1.1884, 0.9072 and 0.5879 mm at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge respectively. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to DNCB at 24 hours post challenge had a highly significant association (p<0.01) with the incidence of body mange in rabbits. The results indicated a lowered contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24 hours post challenge was associated significantly (p<0.01) with an increase in incidence and severity of body mange, suggesting its potential value as a marker. The correlation s among contact sensitivities at 24, 48 and 72 hours were positive and highly significant (p<0.01); correlations between initial skin thickness and contact sensitivities were negative and highly significant (p<0.01). Another notable significant correlation was between body weight and delayed type hypersensitivity at 24 hours indicating that an enhanced CMI might be associated with better growth rate and general wellbeing.