Described here is a new, more efficient method for defining major histocompatibility complex-Y (MHC-Y) genotypes in chickens. The MHC-Y region is genetically independent from the classical MHC (MHC-B) region. MHC-Y is highly polymorphic and potentially important in the genetics of disease resistance. MHC-Y haplotypes contain variable numbers of specialized MHC class I-like genes, along with members of four additional gene families. Previously, MHC-Y haplotypes were defined by patterns of restriction fragments (RF) generated in labor-intensive procedures that were difficult to use to define MHC-Y genotypes for large numbers of samples. The method reported here is much simpler. MHC-Y genotypes are distinguished via patterns of PCR products generated from heritable short tandem repeat (STR) regions found immediately upstream of the MHC class I-like genes located throughout MHC-Y haplotypes. To validate the method, fully pedigreed families were analyzed for STR-defined haplotypes in light of haplotypes defined previously by RF patterns. STR-defined MHC-Y patterns segregate in fully pedigreed families as expected and correspond with haplotypes assigned by RF patterns. The patterns provided in STR chromatograms generated by capillary electrophoresis are distinct for different haplotypes and can be scored easily. Investigations into the influence of MHC-Y genetics on immune responses can now realistically be conducted with large sample sets.

本文介绍了一种新的，更有效的方法，用于定义鸡的主要组织相容性复合物-Y（MHC- Y）基因型。该MHC- ÿ区域是从经典的MHC（MHC-基因独立乙）区。MHC- Y是高度多态的，并且在疾病抗性的遗传学中潜在重要。MHC- Ÿ单倍型包含专门的MHC类的变量数我样的基因，与另外四个基因家族成员一起。以前，MHC- Y单倍型是通过劳动密集型程序中生成的限制性片段（RF）的模式来定义的，这些限制性片段很难用于定义MHC- Y大量样品的基因型。这里报告的方法要简单得多。MHC- ÿ基因型通过从遗传短串联重复（STR）的区域产生立即发现类MHC的上游I-等遍布MHC-基因的PCR产物的模式区分ÿ单倍型。为了验证该方法，根据先前由RF模式定义的单体型，对完全有血统的家族进行STR定义的单体型分析。STR定义的MHC- Y模式按预期隔离在完全纯种科中，并与RF模式指定的单倍型相对应。毛细管电泳产生的STR色谱图中提供的模式对于不同的单倍型是不同的，并且可以轻松进行评分。调查MHC-现在可以通过大量样本实际进行免疫反应的Y遗传学研究。