Genetics of resistance to coccidiosis: response of inbred chicken lines to infection by Eimeria tenella and Eimeria maxima

1. Experiments have been carried out to compare weight gain, mortality and oocyst production in 7 inbred and partially inbred lines of chickens after challenge with the coccidial parasites Eimeria tenella and E. maxima. 2. There were large differences between lines in the effects of challenge on weight gain and mortality for both species of parasite. However, the lines suffering the greatest mortality were not those showing the greatest effects on weight gain, indicating that mortality alone is not an adequate criterion in selection for resistance. 3. Although oocyst production differed between lines there was no correlation with mortality or with weight loss, implying that the variation observed in these traits was not due to a restriction of the parasite but to an accommodation of its effects. 4. Mortality and weight loss resulting from challenge with E. tenella in the different lines did not correlate with that caused by E. maxima. 5. There was evidence of an association of genes of the major histocompatibility complex genes with mortality, but not with weight loss or oocyst production: there was no indication of association of resistance to coccidiosis with resistance to Marek's disease.