Correlations, sex and genotype effect on Immune response traits of three genotypes of Nigerian Indigenous chickens at different ages

The study evaluated correlations and sex by genotype interaction effect on immune response traits in three genotypes of Nigerian Indigenous chickens (Normal feathered (NF), Frizzle feathered (Fz) and naked neck (Nk)). Blood samples from 60 birds (20 per genotype) were collected for haematology from a population of 200 birds. Haematological parameters were: Pack cell volume (PCV), White blood cell (WBC), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Eosinophils (Eos), Monocytes (Mono), Haemoglobin (Hb), Lymphocytes (Lym), Heterophils (Heter), Basophils (Bas). The research lasted for 12 weeks and the association between the chicken’s immune response traits were assessed at weeks 4, 8 and 12 of age. Sex showed significant effect on the immune response traits of Nigerian Indigenous Chicken. Females of Nigerian Indigenous Chicken had higher means in PVC, Wbc, Heter, Lym, Eos and Mono than the males counterpart for the same traits, respectively, measured while the other immune response traits were similar as measured at different ages. Genotype significantly jnfluenced some immune response traits of Nigerian Indigenous chicken. The result showed that RBC was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Frizzled feather, followed by Naked neck and Normal feathered, respectively. WBC which is responsible for immunity was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Fz but lower in NF while Eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes which are components for immunity were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Frizzled feathers chicken. The highest and positive association among immune response traits were found between PCV and Hb, PCV and RBC, Hb and Rbc, Bas and Eos, Eos and Mono, respectively.