SPECIFIC ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION AGAINST A SOLUBLE-ANTIGEN IN HARDERIAN GLAND OF DOMESTIC-FOWL

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (2) , 371-374
Abstract
Three groups of chickens were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA). One group received the antigen i.v., the 2nd had BSA dropped into the orbit and the 3rd group was immunized systemically and by topical application of BSA. Agar-gel diffusion studies showed antibodies to BSA to be present in the tears and sera of the 1st and 3rd groups, but only in the tears of the 2nd group. Immunofluoresecence revealed positive anti-BSA staining in lymphoid cells of the spleens of the 1st and 3rd groups, and in plasma cells of Harderian glands of all 3 groups. Systemic and/or topical applications of BSA affect the tears and Harderian gland, whereas only systemic injections produce an effect in the spleen and serum. The Harderian gland may play an important part in the local immunologic mechanism of the eye and upper respiratory tract of the fowl.