THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX AND ITS ROLE IN POULTRY PRODUCTION

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes present in a vertebrates. The chicken MHC is broken into three distinct regio ns, each of which codes for certain gene products. These antigens are known to influence a variety of biological functions including fowl ch olera, Marek's disease, Rous sarcoma virus, lymphoid leukosis and cocc idiosis. Fertility, embryonic mortality, hatchability, and egg product ion are some of the production parameters linked to this gene complex. Blood groups serve as markers for these regions, offering a means of genetic screening.