Michel Verwoolde found in research indications for trained innate immunity and transgenerational effects in chickens. Transgenerationally trained innate immunity has great potential to be used in adapting current vaccination strategies and feeding strategies to boost the immune system of chickens. On Monday 4 July Michel Verwolde obtained his doctorate at Wageningen University.
Controlling infectious diseases is an important area of focus within poultry farming. An important strategy to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases is to strengthen the immune system. This will protect chickens from the negative effects of pathogens such as loss of growth, welfare effects and antibiotic use.
Verwoolde investigated whether a chick’s immune system can be strengthened by stimulating the mother’s immune system. This is referred to as ‘transgenerational effects’. He targeted a specific part of the immune system; the innate immune system.
Little scientific evidence is available on how non-genetic transgenerational effects work, particularly through the innate immune system. One proposed mechanism is ‘trained innate immunity’. In his research, Verwolde did find indications for trained innate immunity and transgenerational effects in chickens.
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