Abstract
Birds were bursectomized before 3 days of age. Bursectomy did not significantly influence the total or absolute number of leukocytes at 12, 19, or 41 days of age. The bursectomized birds contained significantly fewer small lymphocytes at 5 and 41 days of age than medium lymphocytes. A single intravenous injection of 4 IU or 6 USP units of ACTH/100 g body weight significantly increased the absolute heterophil counts of both sham and bursectomized birds. However, only the bursectomized birds showed a significant decline in the absolute count of lymphocytes. The results suggest that the bursa of Fabricius is necessary for an optimum level of circulating lymphocytes. The bursa may influence the lymphocyte count by releasing specific cells or elaborating a humoral factor.
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