Differential Effect of Bursectomy on Antibody Production in a Large and Small Bursa Line of New Hampshire Chickens 1 2

Abstract

Summary

SBL birds bursectomized at hatch failed to produce hemagglutinin to a primary injection of SRBC. The antibody titer of LBL birds BSX at hatch did not differ significantly from controls. BSX at 1 week reduced the antibody titer in the SBL birds. BSX at 3 and 5 weeks had no effect on hemagglutinin levels. The number of PFC of SBL BSX at hatch chicks was significantly lower than controls and LBL BSX at hatch birds. There were fewer lymphoid follicles at hatch in the bursae from SBL birds than in the bursae from LBL birds. The SBL chickens offer a model for further studies on humoral immune mechanisms, since the ability of SBL chicks to produce detectable antibody to a primary immunization may be eliminated without further treatment with steroids, cyclophosphamide, or irradiation.