National Avian Research Facility
National Avian Research Facility

Inbred white Leghorn lines SPF

White Leghorn inbred lines have been extensively used for many years to investigate the genetic basis of disease resistance and susceptibility (1-3). MHC haplotypes and known resistance and susceptibility are detailed below*.

*The MHC haplotypes, differential resistance, and susceptibilities of the lines to pathogens itemised below have not been validated in recent years.

These lines are available from the SPF unit

Availability:

Currently, we have a limited egg supply between March-August. Eggs are not available from September to February. Please note, that these dates can vary slightly from year to year.

Eggs and chicks can be provided in larger numbers and outwith their usual availability with advanced notice of about 6 months. Contact the NARF directly with requests (narf@roslin.ed.ac.uk).

Publications

  1. Bacon, L. D., H. D. Hunt, and H. H. Cheng. 2000. A review of the development of chicken lines to resolve genes determining resistance to diseases. Poult. Sci. 79:1082-1093.
  2. Stone, H.A. 1975. Use of highly inbred chickens in research. USDA-ARS Technical Bulletin No. 1514, Washington, DC.
  3. Waters, N. F. 1945. Breeding for Resistance and Susceptibility to Avian Lymphomatosis. Poult. Sci. 24:259-269.