November 22, 2013
US researchers complete study on runting, stunting syndrome of broilers
USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation completed a funded research project at the University of Georgia on research that enhances the understanding of runting and stunting syndrome of broilers.
The project is part of the Association's comprehensive research programme encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
Led by Holly Sellers, researchers at the University of Georgia have identified four different viruses that are present in the intestines of broilers that are suffering from runting and stunting syndrome (RSS). RSS is a disease which affects the intestinal tract of broilersat a very young age and retards the growth of the broilers. The cause of this disease has been difficult to pinpoint.
In this study, a vaccine was made which incorporates portions of the four viruses. Broiler breeders were vaccinated with the experimental vaccine, and then the broiler progeny of those breeders were challenged with the RSS agents to determine whether maternal immunity could provide some protection against the disease. Results indicate that this approach does not provide satisfactory protection to the broilers.
"This was well-constructed research which pointed to new strategies for our next attempt at combatting RSS," remarked John Glisson, vice president of research programmes for USPOULTRY.