The Effect of Bursa Fabricius Removal in Day-Old Chicks Upon Growth Performance, Blood and Spleen Characteristics

Abstract

Day-old chicks were bursectomized, growth rate, blood and spleen characteristics were examined and compared with those of sham-operated chicks of the same age at 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks. Bursectomy was shown not to interfere with growth rate but to influence spleen weight at 5-6 weeks of age. No proliferation of pyroninophilic cells was noted but there was a decrease in germinal centers. At the age of 5-6 weeks lymphocyte numbers were reduced and heterophil numbers increased in the bursectomized birds.