Effect of induced molting on heterophil function in White Leghorn hens

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of induced molt on basal functional activities of heterophils from aging hens. For this purpose, heterophils from both molted and unmolted hens were examined by in vitro bioassays for functional responsiveness and efficiency. We evaluated the ability of the heterophils to migrate to chemotactic stimuli, phagocytize opsonized and nonopsonized Salmonella-enteritidis (SE), and generate an oxidative burst in response to inflammatory agonists. A significant (P < 0.001) heterophilia was found in the molted hens within 2 days after feed withdrawal and remained throughout the length of the experimental feed withdrawal period. No significant differences were found in the random migration of heterophils from either group. The chemotactic movement of heterophils from molted hens was not affected until 8 days after feed withdrawal when compared with heterophil chemotaxis from unmolted hens. A significant decrease in chemotaxis by the heterophils from molted hens was observed days 8-12 after feed withdrawal (P < 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) fewer heterophils from molted hens were able to phagocytize opsonized (59% vs. 38%) and nonopsonized (26% vs. 15%) SE within 2 days after feed withdrawal. Likewise, significantly (P < 0.05) fewer bacteria were phagocytized per heterophil from the molted hens when compared with the number of bacteria per heterophil from the unmolted hens. The oxidative burst of heterophils stimulated by either opsonized zymosan A or phorbol myristate acetate of heterophils from molted hens was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when compared with that generated by heterophils from the unmolted hens. These results indicate that feed withdrawal to induce molt alters the number and function of peripheral blood heterophils. This decreased efficiency of heterophil functional activity appears to play a role in the increased susceptibility of molting hens to SE infections.