Abstract
Abstract The role of the thymus and bursa in the ontogeny of IgA, IgG, and IgM was studied in fowl by using isolated or combined bursectomy (Bx) and thymectomy (Tx) at hatching. Bx birds had markedly elevated serum IgM levels together with moderately decreased IgG and IgA. Tx birds had normal IgM levels but moderately decreased IgG and IgA. BxTx birds had normal IgM levels but markedly depressed IgG and lacked IgA totally even when followed to 5 months of age. The predominant IgA-containing cells in the duodenal lamina propria of normal birds were completely replaced by IgM-containing cells in BxTx birds. These experimental models document the requirement for normal thymus-derived and bursa-derived cell interactions in the ontogeny of both IgG and the IgA system and should provide useful approaches to studies of the post bursal differentiation of the plasma cell lines.
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