Humoral immunity in Japanese quail following surgical bursectomy at various ages.

Four separate experiments were conducted to determine the effects of surgical bursectomy (BSX) at periodic intervals on subsequent antibody production in Japanese quail. At 0, 1, 3, 7, and 28 days of age, BSX resulted in graduated increments in humoral immune responsiveness. Quail BSX at 0 and 1 day of age exhibited significantly reduced primary hemagglutinin responses, as well as reduced mercaptoethanol resistant (IgG) antibody levels. The production of mercaptoethanol sensitive antibody (IgM) levels were affected to a lesser degree in BSX quail than in controls. At 7 and 28 days of age, BSX resulted in no significant effects. At 3 days of age, BSX resulted in an intermediate effect with minimal reduction in antibody levels. Secondary antibody responses were reduced to a lesser extent than the primary responses. At 0 day, BSX reduced hemagglutinin and mercaptoethanol sensitive antibody levels during the early stages of the secondary responses. At other times, however, BSX did not affect secondary antibody responses.