Antibody titer uniformity in Indonesian Native Chickens against avian pathogens in a tropical environment: a three-time series study

Abstract

Elevated temperatures in tropical environments detrimentally affect poultry immunity, increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases and compromising overall health. This study investigated the antibody titer uniformity in Indonesian native chickens (Kedu, Arab, and Lignan) against H5N1, H9N2, and ND-G-VII viruses within a tropical climate. The research involved a three-time series monitoring of log2 antibody titers at ages 10, 30, and 45 days. The 90 Indonesian native chicken blood samples were collected to assess their immune system. Results revealed a consistent pattern of antibody titer uniformity for H5N1 and H9N2 throughout the early growth stages, indicating a consistent immune response in the tropical environment. Contrasting with ND-G-VII, the antibody titers increased significantly (p<0.05: 4.90±1.20 to 6.20±1.23) at 10 to 45 days, reflecting a progressive immune response in Indonesian native chickens against ND-G-VII. The findings emphasize the importance of considering environmental context when interpreting immune responses in poultry reared in tropical climates, which is influenced by the uniformity of immune responses against different pathogens. Such knowledge could have implications for designing effective vaccination strategies and disease prevention measures tailored to the specific challenges of poultry farming in tropical regions.