Production of specific antibody by lymphocytes of the bursa of Fabricius.

Lymphocytes in the bursa of chickens have been found to produce hemolytic antibodies to sheep erythrocytes that are introduced into the cloaca. These lymphocytes also react with Escherichia coli and form bacterial adherent colonies, but not with gamma streptococci to which they have not been previously exposed. Thymic and splenic lymphocytes do not bind either organism.