USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of 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 program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
Researchers at the University of Georgia, led by Dr. Holly Sellers, 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 broilers at 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 Dr. John Glisson, vice president of research programs for USPOULTRY.
