title: Immunocompetent cells of the turkey: age and organ distribution patterns of T and B lymphoid cells.
abstract: The percentage of lymphoid cells from the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen, peripheral blood, and cecal tonsils reactin with chicken antisera to turkey bursa and thymus were evaluated, using 1-day-old to 5-week-old turkeys. For this, rabbit anti-chicken globulin fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate was used. The percentage of lymphoid cells showing immunoglobulin surface determinants from these organs also was examined, using a direct immunofluorescence test with a rabbit anti-turkey globulin fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate. This study suggests that the bursa-specific antigen and immunoglobulin surface determinants could be used as markers for bursa-derived cells in the turkey. It also was found that thymus-specific antigen could be used as a marker for thymus-derived cells.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000276:immunology; D002432:Cecum / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology; D014422:Turkeys / Q000276:immunology*