Modulation of Immunoglobulin Ontogeny in the Chicken: Effect of Purified Antibody Specific for µ Chain on IgM, IgY, and IgA Production

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Abstract
The administration of anti-µ antibody to chick embryos in conjunction with bursectomy at hatch resulted in long-term suppression of IgM, IgY, and IgA synthesis. Anti-µ-suppressed chickens had less ability to produce antibody than bursectomized controls. Graft-vs-host responsiveness was normal or enhanced, indicative of the specific effect of anti-µ on bursa-dependent lymphocytes. Suppression of IgM, IgY, and IgA production could be achieved by anti-µ injection of 18-day-old embryos, providing evidence that IgY- and IgA-forming cells develop subsequent to that time. Repeated injection of anti-µ in early life was capable of producing abnormalities in immunoglobulin synthesis, including long-term IgY and IgA deficiency. These results were discussed in terms of the concept that IgY- and IgA-forming cells are derived from IgM-forming precursors.

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