Effect of caponization on cell-mediated immunity of immature cockerels.
The effect of gonadectomy was determined on cell-mediated immune response of immature male chickens. Single Comb White Leghorn males were castrated at 3 weeks of age. Response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) injection as well as graft vs. host (GvH) response were measured at 5, 10, and 15 weeks of age to evaluate cell-mediated immunity. The PHA and GvH responses were inhibited in castrated males. The results suggest that physiological levels of testosterone are needed to stimulate cell-mediated immune response in immature male chickens.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002369:Castration; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000662:veterinary; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D013154:Spleen; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013950:Thymus Gland
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone