Genome-Wide Copy Number Variant Analysis in Inbred Chickens Lines with Different Susceptibility to Marek's Disease

Breeding of genetically resistant chickens to Marek’s disease (MD) is a vital strategy to poultry health. To find the markers underlying the genetic resistance to MD, copy number variation (CNV) was initially examined in inbred MD-resistant and -susceptible chicken lines. A total of 45 CNVRs were found in 4 lines of chickens, and 28 of them were potentially involved in immune response and cell proliferation, etc. Importantly, two CNVRs related with MD-resistance were transmitted to descendent recombinant congenic lines that differ in susceptibility to MD. Our findings may help to make a better strategy for MD resistance in poultry.