Role of the bursa of Fabricius in IgG and IgM production in the chicken: evidence for the role of a non-bursal site in the development of humoral immunity
Lerner, K.G.; Glick, B.; McDuffie, F.C.
Journal of Immunology 107(2): 493-503
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 5568775 Document Number: 32167
Bursectomy at hatching caused a slight lowering in the IgG specific antibody production. Bursectomy performed on the third day of incubation by dipping eggs in testosterone resulted in decrease of both IgG and IgC antibodies to sheep erythrocytes. At one week after hatching, the operation had no effect on IgC or specific antibody. The IgM system responded differently; amounts were higher than in controls after early bursectomy, whereas IgM antibodies to sheep erythrocytes were little changed. It was concluded that the bursa had a major role in the maturation of IgM to IgG synthesis, but it was not essential for antibody and immunoglobin production.