Bursa-independent plasma cells in the Harderian gland of the chicken (Gallus domesticus). Histomorphometrical investigations.

Morphometric investigations of the Harderian gland in normal and bursectomized chickens at the 16th, 30th, and 60th day after hatching, show a significcant suppressive effect of bursectomy on the volume of the plasma cell compartment in this organ. However, the suppression of the plasma cell population in the Harderian gland is not complete. The plasma cells remaining in the Harderian gland after bursectomy are probably components of a bursa-independent B cell population.