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Abstract
1. Based on earlier studies it was hypothesised that there is an immunological basis for the differences in susceptibility to malabsorption syndrome (MAS). A study was conducted to investigate base-line and MAS-induced cytokine levels in the intestine of broilers that differ in MAS susceptibility.
2. The transcription of cytokine mRNA in the intestine was quantified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. At different time points after disease induction the intestines of broilers were investigated for expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and interferon (IFN)-γ. Age-matched non-MAS-induced chickens served as controls.
3. Control chickens from a MAS-resistant line had higher concentrations of mRNA for IL-2, IL-6, IL-18 and IFN-γ in the small intestine while no difference between the lines was found for IL-8. After induction of MAS the relative amounts of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-γ mRNA increased more in the intestines of the susceptible line than in the gut of the resistant line.
4. We suggest that differences in cytokine mRNA in the base-line situation and in MAS-induced conditions indicate a difference in immune response regulation in the two broiler lines. This difference in response could lead to the difference in susceptibility to MAS.
