New findings on the congenital transmission of avian leukosis viruses.

RAV-0, an endogenous avian leukosis virus, does not undergo congenital transmission in infected K28 chickens. In contrast, avian leukosis viruses of exogenous origin undergo highly efficient congenital transmission. The relative abilities of endogenous and exogenous viruses to undergo congenital transmission appear to be determined by the p27 capsid proteins of these viruses.