Instant Insights: Developing Immunity in Poultry

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.

• 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 Introduction2 Deciphering the role of immune response genes in chicken: the major histocompatibility complex3 The genetic architecture of immune traits: lessons from selection experiments4 The contribution of ‘omics’ to immune responses and disease resistance5 Breeding for disease resistance in poultry species6 Trade-offs between immunocompetence and production in chicken7 Genome-wide association case study 1: deciphering genetics and genomics of immune responses to Salmonella8 Genome-wide association case study 2: deciphering genetics and genomics of immune responses to Campylobacter9 Conclusion and future trends10 ReferencesChapter 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 Introduction2 Intestinal immunity3 Microbiota interactions with the immune system4 Gut microbiota as an epigenetic regulator of gut function5 Dysregulation of gut functionality6 Future trends and conclusion7 ReferencesChapter 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 Introduction2 Carotenoids3 Vitamin E4 Selenium5 Zinc6 Arginine7 Threonline8 Additional nutrition factors9 ReferencesChapter 4 - Understanding and boosting poultry immune systems: Rami A. Dalloul, Virginia Tech, USA; 1 Introduction2 Overview of the avian defence system3 Coccidiosis4 Probiotics and poultry5 Conclusion and future trends6 Where to look for further information7 References