Sophie Bennett
Bursectomy refers to the surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius, a chestnut-sized organ located in the chicken's body. This procedure has been observed to cause a significant reduction in circulating B lymphocytes, leading to a decreased ability to produce specific antibodies in response to antigenic challenges. The impact of bursectomy on antibody production and resistance to respiratory challenges has been studied, particularly in chickens vaccinated against the Newcastle disease virus. Additionally, the effects of thymectomy, bursectomy, and other treatments on the development of avian lymphomatosis have been investigated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius from chickens |
| Purpose | To study the development of the immunologic system in chickens |
| Effects | - Marked reduction in the number of circulating B lymphocytes |
| - Inability to produce specific antibodies in response to antigenic challenge | |
| - Depletion of immunoglobulin A (IgA) from serum and bile | |
| - Development of peripheral small lymphocytes | |
| - Normal graft versus host reactions |
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What You'll Learn
- Chickens irradiated at hatching and subjected to total bursectomy develop peripheral small lymphocytes
- Bursectomy of late-stage embryos or neonate chicks causes a reduction in B lymphocytes and an inability to produce specific antibodies
- Bursectomy results in a depletion of immunoglobulin A (IgA) from serum and bile
- Bursectomy can prevent the development of visceral lymphomatosis in chickens
- Bursectomy has little effect on primary or subsequent infections with E. brunetti or E. maxima
Chickens irradiated at hatching and subjected to total bursectomy develop peripheral small lymphocytes
Bursectomy is a procedure performed on chickens, specifically on late-stage embryos or neonate chicks. It involves the removal of the bursa of Fabricius, a chestnut-sized, sac-like organ located dorsal to the rectum, anterior to the sacrum, and connected to the posterior portion of the cloaca by a short duct.
The bursa is essential for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, which are a type of lymphocyte. B cells play a crucial role in the immune system by producing antibodies in response to antigenic challenges.
When chickens undergo bursectomy, they experience a significant reduction in the number of circulating B lymphocytes, leading to a condition known as agammaglobulinemia. Agammaglobulinemia is characterized by the inability to produce antibodies and a progressive loss of detectable serum immunoglobulins, specifically IgM and IgG.
In the study conducted by Cooper et al. (1966), they found that chickens that were irradiated at hatching and also subjected to total bursectomy developed peripheral small lymphocytes in a typical fashion. Additionally, these chickens rejected skin syngeneic grafts and displayed normal graft-versus-host reactions.
The findings of Cooper et al. suggest that while bursectomy can lead to a decrease in B lymphocytes and immunological deficiencies, the combination of irradiation and bursectomy may have a role in restoring certain immune functions. However, further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between bursectomy, irradiation, and the immune system in chickens.
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Bursectomy of late-stage embryos or neonate chicks causes a reduction in B lymphocytes and an inability to produce specific antibodies
The bursa of Fabricius is a primary lymphoid organ unique to birds, such as chickens, that is responsible for the amplification and differentiation of B lymphoid progenitors. This organ plays a crucial role in the development of antibody responses, specifically in B cell lymphopoiesis.
Bursectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the bursa, particularly during the late stages of embryonic development or in neonate chicks. This procedure has been observed to cause a significant reduction in the number of circulating B lymphocytes in the periphery. B lymphocytes, or B cells, are a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in the immune system's ability to produce antibodies and generate immune responses.
Studies have shown that performing bursectomy on late-stage embryos or neonate chicks results in a marked decrease in B lymphocytes and an inability to produce specific antibodies in response to antigenic challenges. This phenomenon highlights the importance of the bursa in providing a unique microenvironment that is essential for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. Without the bursa, the bird's immune system becomes impaired, specifically in its ability to produce antibodies.
Additionally, experiments on bursectomized chickens have revealed that while these birds can still produce some B cells, they exhibit a restricted Ig diversity. Ig, or immunoglobulin, is a crucial component of antibodies. The limited diversity in Ig suggests that the B cells in bursectomized chickens may not be fully functional or capable of producing a wide range of antibodies to combat various antigens.
Furthermore, other methods such as "chemical" bursectomy, which involves treating neonatal chicks with cyclophosphamide or derivatives of testosterone, have also been successful in preventing the development of B cells and resulting in functional agammaglobulinemia in chickens. These findings provide valuable insights into the importance of the bursa in avian immune system development and function.
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Bursectomy results in a depletion of immunoglobulin A (IgA) from serum and bile
Bursectomy is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius, a chestnut-sized, sac-like organ located dorsal to the rectum and anterior to the sacrum in chickens. This procedure is often performed on chick embryos or newly hatched chicks.
The bursa of Fabricius plays a crucial role in the immune system of chickens, as it provides a unique microenvironment essential for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, which are crucial for antibody production. When the bursa is removed through bursectomy, it can result in a depletion of immunoglobulin A (IgA) from serum and bile.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a type of antibody that plays a vital role in the immune system's defence against infections and diseases. In chickens, IgA is produced by IgA-forming cells, which are derived from IgM-forming cells through a genetic switchover mechanism during ontogeny.
The study by Leslie G. A. and Martin L. N. (1973) observed the effects of bursectomy on IgA levels in chickens. They found that surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius from newly hatched chicks resulted in a depletion of IgA from serum and bile in 55% and 67% of the birds, respectively, up to 11 weeks of age. This depletion of IgA did not affect the occurrence of IgG and IgM in serum and IgG in bile. However, a slight compensatory increase in IgM levels was noted in the bile of bursectomized birds.
The depletion of IgA due to bursectomy suggests that IgA may not be essential for the development of immunity in chickens. Other immunoglobulins or serum antibodies might provide protection against respiratory challenges and infections, such as the Newcastle disease virus. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of IgA depletion on the overall immune function in chickens.
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Bursectomy can prevent the development of visceral lymphomatosis in chickens
The bursa of Fabricius is a chestnut-sized, sac-like organ located dorsal to the rectum, anterior to the sacrum in chickens. Bursectomy is the surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius.
The bursa provides a unique microenvironment essential for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. Bursectomy causes a marked reduction in the number of circulating B lymphocytes and impairs the chicken's ability to produce specific antibodies in response to antigenic challenges. This procedure leads to agammaglobulinemia and a severe B-cell decrease in the periphery.
Chimaeric studies have also demonstrated that the bursa is colonized by blood-borne extra-bursal stem cells during a single distinct receptive period in embryonic development between E8 and E14. Embryonic testosterone treatment can inhibit the formation of dendro-epithelial tissue, resulting in chemical bursectomy. Additionally, studies on chick embryos subjected to total bursectomy on day 18 of incubation (E18-SBx) showed a significant decrease in serum concentrations of IgM and IgG 11 weeks after hatching.
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Bursectomy has little effect on primary or subsequent infections with E. brunetti or E. maxima
A bursectomy is a surgical procedure performed on the bursa of Fabricius, a chestnut-sized, sac-like organ located in chickens. The procedure is often carried out on late-stage embryos or neonate chicks and results in a significant reduction in circulating B lymphocytes and an impairment in antibody production.
Chickens that undergo bursectomy are susceptible to infections, particularly from species of Eimeria, a parasite that causes coccidiosis, a disease with harmful economic consequences for the poultry industry. Eimeria brunetti and E. maxima are two such species that can cause single or mixed infections in chickens, leading to pathogenic effects and clinical signs of coccidiosis.
While bursectomy can impact the chicken's immune system, it has been found that the procedure has little effect on primary or subsequent infections with E. brunetti or E. maxima. Research by Rose and Long (1970) investigated the effects of bursectomy, thymectomy, whole-body irradiation, and cortisone treatment on Eimeria infections in chickens. They found that bursectomy, whether combined with irradiation or not, did not significantly impact the development of immunity to these Eimeria species.
However, it is important to note that in some experiments, bursectomy affected oocyst production during initial infections, with bursectomized and irradiated birds producing a higher number of oocysts compared to controls. Nonetheless, the overall impact of bursectomy on E. brunetti and E. maxima infections appears to be minimal, suggesting that other factors may play a more significant role in the chicken's immune response to these parasites.
In conclusion, while bursectomy can cause a decrease in B lymphocytes and antibody production, it does not seem to affect the chicken's ability to resist primary or subsequent infections with E. brunetti or E. maxima. This knowledge can inform strategies for controlling and preventing coccidiosis in poultry, with a focus on alternative approaches beyond bursectomy.
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Frequently asked questions
Bursectomy is the surgical removal of the bursa of Fabricius, a chestnut-sized, sac-like organ located dorsal to the rectum, anterior to the sacrum in chickens.
Bursectomy is performed on chickens to study the effects on their immune system, particularly the development of immunoglobulins and antibodies.
Bursectomy in chickens can lead to a depletion of immunoglobulins, specifically IgA, and a reduction in circulating B lymphocytes, affecting their ability to produce antibodies in response to infections.
Bursectomy is typically performed on late-stage embryos, newly hatched chicks, or chickens within the first month of age for experimental purposes.
Yes, there are different variations of the procedure, including surgical bursectomy, chemical bursectomy, and arthroscopic bursectomy.
