Inheritance of Acquired-Immunity to Myxomatosis

Abstract

Male domestic rabbits mating after recovering from myxomatosis may transmit immunity to progeny born to the female in the next seven months, including progeny sired by other males lacking immunity (Sobey and Conolly 1986). In wild rabbits, Oryctolgus cuniculus (L.), we observed similar enhanced immunity in progeny of immune sires. The inherited immunity relates to the prior time of infection of the sire, and appears to be non-genetic; it complements genetic resistance and may persist into the progeny's reproductive lifetime. Inherited acquired immunity may reduce the effectiveness of myxomatosis in some wild rabbit populations.