This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on developing immunity in poultry.
The first chapter discusses the advances in genetic, genomic and functional genomic studies of immune and disease resistance in chickens. The chapter reviews multi-trait selection experiments and considers the potential trade-offs between production and immunocompetence in response to disease.
The second chapter reviews the importance of the gut microbiome in optimising animal health and reducing susceptibility to major diseases affecting poultry production. The chapter examines intestinal immunity, as well as the microbiota interactions which occur within the poultry immune system.
The third chapter addresses the nutritional strategies which can be implemented to boost immune function in poultry. The chapter considers the process of nutritional modulation and reviews the use of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to enhance, suppress and balance poultry immune systems.
The final chapter provides an overview of the avian defence system and its role in tackling some of the major pathogens affecting global poultry production, such as coccidiosis. The chapter reviews the various elements of the host defence system and considers how supplements can modulate the immune system and its responses to specific challenges.
Chapter 1 - Genetics and genomics of immunity and disease traits in poultry species: M.-H. Pinard-van der Laan, INRAE, France; J. Kaufman, University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge, UK; A. Psifidi, Royal Veterinary College, UK; H. Zhou, University of California- Davis, USA; and M. Fife, Aviagen Ltd and The Pirbright Institute, UK; 1 Introduction 2 Deciphering the role of immune response genes in chicken: the major histocompatibility complex 3 The genetic architecture of immune traits: lessons from selection experiments 4 The contribution of ‘omics’ to immune responses and disease resistance 5 Breeding for disease resistance in poultry species 6 Trade-offs between immunocompetence and production in chicken 7 Genome-wide association case study 1: deciphering genetics and genomics of immune responses to Salmonella 8 Genome-wide association case study 2: deciphering genetics and genomics of immune responses to Campylobacter 9 Conclusion and future trends 10 References Chapter 2 - Understanding gut function in poultry: the role of commensals, metabolites, inflammation and dysbiosis in intestinal immune function and dysfunction: Michael H. Kogut, USDA-ARS, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Intestinal immunity 3 Microbiota interactions with the immune system 4 Gut microbiota as an epigenetic regulator of gut function 5 Dysregulation of gut functionality 6 Future trends and conclusion 7 References Chapter 3 - Nutritional strategies to boost immune response in poultry: M. T. Kidd, University of Arkansas, USA; and P.F. Surai, Vitagene and Health Research Centre, UK, Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after K.I. Skryabin, Russia, Trakia University, Bulgaria, Szent Istvan University, Hungary and Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, Russia; 1 Introduction 2 Carotenoids 3 Vitamin E 4 Selenium 5 Zinc 6 Arginine 7 Threonline 8 Additional nutrition factors 9 References Chapter 4 - Understanding and boosting poultry immune systems: Rami A. Dalloul, Virginia Tech, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Overview of the avian defence system 3 Coccidiosis 4 Probiotics and poultry 5 Conclusion and future trends 6 Where to look for further information 7 References
Dr Huaijun Zhou is Professor of Immunogenetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California-Davis and Director of the USAID Feed the Future Lab for Genomics to Improve Poultry which focuses on improving poultry resistance to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses.
