BIOCHEMICAL AND SEROLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX ANTIGENS IN OUTBRED CHICKENS

Serology and biochemistry were used to identify major histocompatibility complex (MHC) types in chicken lines selected for high and low antibody response to sheep red blood cells. Serological typing was performed by direct haemagglutination, using antisera obtained by erythrocyte alloimmunization within the lines. Four serotypes were identified, called preliminarily B-114, B-119, B-121 and B-124. Subsequently, these types were characterized for their B-G and B-F products by biochemical analysis, using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and one-dimensional IEF (isoelectric focusing) respectively. The B-114, B-119 and B-121 serotypes displayed each characteristic banding patterns for both B-G and B-F. No additional types or subtypes were identified by biochemistry within these serotypes. The B-124 serotype however could be subtyped into three different haplotypes with specific banding patterns for B-G and B-F. None of the haplotypes in the selection lines were identical for both B-G and B-F with the tested reference B haplotypes. Comparison of B-G alleles revealed similar, but not identical B-G patterns for B-114 and B-G(14), whereas B-124C and B-G(23), as well as B-119 and B-G(19) displayed indistinguishable patterns. For B-F, only B-121 and B-F-21 banding patterns were indistinguishable by IEF. All other B-F types differed from the reference types.