Variation in Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Gene in Chicken Genotypes and Its Association with Resistance to Attenuated Newcastle Virus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajfst.v4i2.6049Keywords:
Antibody Response, Chicken Genotypes, Genetic Diversity, Newcastle Disease, Toll-Like Receptor 4Abstract
Newcastle disease (ND) remains a major constraint to poultry production, and genetic variation in immune-related genes may influence vaccine responsiveness. This study evaluated variation in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene among four chicken genotypes: normal feather (NFC), naked neck (NNC), frizzle feather (FFC), and exotic (EXC), and assessed their antibody responses to attenuated ND vaccination. A total of 100 day-old chicks were reared under uniform intensive management. Birds were vaccinated at two weeks of age, with a booster administered one week later. Blood samples were collected 14 days post-vaccination for determination of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood, and the TLR4 gene was PCR-amplified, sequenced, and analyzed for nucleotide and haplotype diversity, mismatch distribution, and phylogenetic relationships. Results showed significant differences in antibody titres among genotypes (p < 0.05), with FFC exhibiting the highest response, followed by NNC, NFC, and EXC. Genetic diversity analysis revealed the highest nucleotide diversity in FFC (π = 0.121) and lowest in EXC (π = 0.031), with haplotype diversity ranging from 0.822 (NNC) to 1.00 (NFC). Pairwise Fst and Gst values indicated low to moderate differentiation, and phylogenetic analysis showed admixture among genotypes, with two major clades. Mismatch distributions were multimodal and ragged, suggesting complex demographic histories. The findings indicate that indigenous genotypes, particularly FFC and NNC, combine higher genetic diversity with stronger antibody responses to ND vaccination. Polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene may contribute to enhanced immune competence, highlighting the potential of these genotypes as genetic resources for breeding programmes aimed at improving disease resistance and sustainable poultry production.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Utip Benjamin Ekaluo, Ekerette Emmanuel Ekerette, Benjamin Bendiwhobel Ushie, Godwin Egbe John, Ekei Victor Ikpeme
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