A Comparison of the Immune Response Between Two Lines of Chickens Selected for Differences in the Weight of the Bursa of Fabricius

Abstract

Experiments were designed to compare antibody-mediated immunity in two lines of 5-month-old chickens previously selected for a large or small bursa. After receiving a primary or secondary challenge with sheep-red-blood cells, bovine serum albumin, or dinitrophenyl, birds from the small bursa line (SBL) were significantly more efficient antibody producers than birds from the large bursa line (LBL). However, Immunoglobulin G synthesis by SBL birds was significantly lower than in LBL birds.