Line differences in resistance tosalmonella enteritidispt4 infection

Abstract

1. Four groups of hens, each of a different line, were inoculated at peak of lay, per os in the crop with 1 ml of a suspension containing 10⁹ cfu/ml Salmonella enteritidis PT4 (SE). The kinetics of SE contamination in the environment, egg shell and yolk were studied during the first 28 d post inoculation. On the day of slaughter, intestines, caeca, spleen, liver, ovary, oviduct and content were investigated for SE contamination. 2. The commercial egg‐type line L2 was found to be the most susceptible to SE. It laid many SE‐positive yolks (13.8%) and internal and faecal organs were frequently infected. 3. Certain lines are found to exhibit a degree of resistance to SE; the cause of which is unknown and might be attributed to major genes.