Changes in heterophils following antigen injection in immature male chickens.
Eight-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn male chickens were injected intravenously with either .1 mL Brucella abortus (BA) or saline. Blood samples were drawn at 0 and 12 h postinjection and were examined for heterophil numbers and morphology. Differences between numbers of circulating heterophils/mm3 blood were not significant for saline and BA-treated birds at time zero. However, 12 h following injection, heterophil numbers in BA-treated birds were significantly (P less than .05) greater than those in saline-treated birds. Heterophil appearance took two forms: in the first form, granules were small, round, and strongly eosinophilic; in the second form, the granules were large, rod-shaped and more basophilic in staining. These changes indicate the possible involvement of heterophils in the initiation of a humoral immune response through enhancement of some secretory function.
Trout
J M
JM
Department of Poultry Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Mashaly
M M
MM
Siegel
H S
HS
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial