Response to wing-web challenge of Rous sarcoma virus subgroups in some chicken breeds.

Response to wing-web challenge (WWC) of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) subgroups was studied in 4-8 weeks old chicks of a light breed, a heavy breed and a cross between an indigenous black plumage Bantam fowl and Australorp breed. Wing-web tumor (WWT) began to develop within one week in response to virus subgroups A (BS-RSV) and C [RSV (RAV-49)] challenge. In chicks challenged with subgroup D [RSV (RAV-50)] virus it took a minimum of 4 weeks for development of WWT. Positive response to WWC by subgroups A, C and D virus was 84%, 100% and 52%, respectively. The duration of exhibition of positive response was maximum for subgroup A virus, followed by subgroup D and minimum for subgroup C virus.