Gamma-globulin Synthesis in Hormonally Bursectomized Chickens

Abstract

IN previous investigations it has been found that the normal development of the bursa of Fabricius in chickens is essential if the bird is to develop fully its potential antibody-forming capacity^1–3. In these investigations^2,3 the development of the bursa was partially or completely inhibited by the intra-embryonic injection of testosterone propionate. When the inhibition of bursal lymphoid tissue was complete, no antibody production could be detected after challenge at 4–6 weeks of age with 5 different antigens³. Providing the thymus in these chickens was morphologically normal, there was no detectable reduction in splenic lymphoid follicles, peripheral blood lymphocyte-levels, or homograft immunity to solid grafts³. A marked reduction in cells of the plasmacytic series has been observed in the spleens of both hormonally³ and surgically⁴ bursectomized chickens. As these chickens resembled patients with agammaglobulinæmia⁵ in their inability to produce circulating antibodies, physicochemical studies on the serum immunoglobulins were commenced and form the basis of this presentation.