Evaluation of cell-mediated immunocompetence in mature turkey breeder hens using a dewlap skin test.
Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) was evaluated in two experiments using a neck skin (dewlap) test site on adult domestic turkey hens. The CBH response elicited by an intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) was evaluated by determining dewlap thickness at the injection site immediately before injection and 24, 48, or 72 hr after injection. It was determined that a dose level between 30 and 90 micrograms PHA-P induced a suitable dermal swelling. Laying hens had a dermal response that was about 69% of the response in nonlaying hens. The results indicated that the dewlap test is a rapid, simple, and effective means of assessing a cell-mediated immune response in adult turkey hens.
Scott
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RP
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7608.
Siopes
T D
TD
D000818:Animals; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007121:Immunocompetence; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D014422:Turkeys / Q000276:immunology*
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; C028784:phytohemagglutinin-P