GENETIC NOMENCLATURE FOR CHICKEN IMMUNOGLOBULIN ALLOTYPES - EXTENSIVE SURVEY OF INBRED LINES AND ANTISERA

Based on a survey of 36 inbred and 8 partially inbred chicken lines and outbred jungle fowl, and with 29 alloantisera generated in different laboratories, 13 7S Ig and 5 IgM allotypes were designated and a new system of nomenclature for chicken Ig polymorphisms was developed. The survey also revealed considerable genetic polymorphism in the structural gene(s) (G-1) responsible for the production of 7S Ig H chains. IgM H chains, encoded by the M-1 locus were less polymorphic. Nine G-1 and four M-1 gene alleles were delineated in highly inbred lines by the formation of unique combinations of G-1 or M-1 specificities. Five additional G-1 alleles were found in chicken lines and jungle fowl segregating for allotypes. Thirty-three percent of the G-1:M-1 haplotypes theoretically expected, were detected in inbred lines. © 1979 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.