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Trade-off between feed efficiency and immunity in specialized high-performing chickens
Mohammad-Javad Dadfar1, Rasoul Vaez Torshizi1, Ali Maghsoudi1
1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Poultry Science
|May 4, 2023
Summary
Selecting broiler chickens for high feed efficiency (FE) can negatively impact their immune system. Specifically, prioritizing residual intake and gain (RIG) weakens both humoral and innate immunity, while residual feed intake (RFI) shows fewer adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Resource allocation theory suggests that focusing on growth and feed efficiency (FE) in breeding may compromise immunity.
- The specific impact of selecting for FE on poultry immune performance remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trade-off between feed efficiency (FE) and immune system performance in broiler chickens.
- To evaluate the effects of selection for specific FE traits on humoral and innate immunity.
Main Methods:
- 180 broiler chickens, selected over 30 generations for growth and FE, were used.
- FE traits (DFI, FCR, RFI, RG, RIG) and immune responses (humoral, cell-mediated, lysozyme activity) were measured.
- Immune performance was compared between high and low FE groups.
Main Results:
- Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and innate immunity (lysozyme activity) showed no significant differences across FE groups.
- Humoral immunity (antibody titers) varied significantly between groups for FCR, RG, RIG, and RFI.
- Residual intake and gain (RIG) negatively affected both humoral and innate immunity, while residual feed intake (RFI) had fewer adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- While RIG is a suitable indicator for FE, selection for high RIG can impair both humoral and innate immune functions in broilers.
- Selection for RFI appears to have a less detrimental impact on immune performance compared to RIG.
- Breeding programs should consider the potential immune consequences of selecting for specific FE traits.
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