Blood Cell Changes Following ACTH Injection in the Chick.

Abstract

Injection of ACTH into 7-14 day old White Leghorn cockerels was followed within 6 hours by a marked absolute leucocytosis and heterophilia and a slight lymphocytosis; no consistent change in numbers of eosinophils, basophils or monocytes was evident within 24 hours. A slight decrease in hematocrit was also produced. The magnitude and constancy of the acidophilia obtained following ACTH injection suggests its possible use as a qualitative criterion of ACTH and/or acute stress in the bird.