Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Preparation and Morphological Analysis of Chick Cranial Neural Crest Cell Cultures
Published on: June 27, 2022
A comparison of Mott cell morphology of three avian species. II. - Bad behavior by plasmacytes?
Paul F Cotter1, Murray R Bakst2
1Cotter Laboratory, Arlington, MA 02476-7209, USA kamcotter@juno.com.
Abstract:
Mott cells are atypical plasmacytes recognized microscopically by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) distensions (Russell bodies) a result of retained secretory product (antibody). Originally associated with parasitism, they are observed in a broad spectrum of immunopathology, sometimes involving hypergammaglobulinemia. Few descriptions of Mott cells appear in avian literature. The purpose of the manuscript is to provide examples identified by light microscopy in three poultry species. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of plasmacytes from the turkey oviduct mucosa are included for comparison with Mott cell light microscopic images. Wright's stained blood and bone marrow from commercial and specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens, ducks, and turkeys are the sources. Mott cell positive samples commonly occurred with leukocytosis or leukemoid reactions, polymicrobial bacteremia, and fungemia. Atypical granulocytes and leukocytes regularly accompanied Mott cells. It is proposed that circulating Mott cells are "sentinels" indicative of stress, dyscrasia, and pathology. Moreover, Mott cells, like other atypia, complicate the interpretation of simple heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratios. As Mott cells are defective plasmacytes these observations address hematology, immunology, pathology, and welfare issues.
Insights
Mott cells, atypical antibody-producing cells, were identified in poultry, signaling immune stress and pathology. Their presence complicates standard avian health assessments, impacting welfare and disease diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Avian pathology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Mott cells are atypical plasmacytes characterized by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) distensions containing retained antibodies (Russell bodies).
- While linked to various immunopathologies, Mott cells are infrequently described in avian literature.
- Their presence suggests potential immune system dysfunction and hypergammaglobulinemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and illustrate Mott cells in three poultry species using light microscopy.
- To compare light microscopic images of avian Mott cells with transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of normal turkey plasmacytes.
- To investigate the association of Mott cells with other hematological findings and disease states in poultry.
Main Methods:
- Examination of Wright's stained blood and bone marrow smears from chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
- Identification of Mott cells based on characteristic microscopic morphology (Russell bodies).
- Inclusion of TEM images of plasmacytes from turkey oviduct mucosa for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Mott cells were identified in chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
- Mott cell presence frequently correlated with leukocytosis, leukemoid reactions, bacteremia, and fungemia.
- Atypical granulocytes and leukocytes were commonly observed alongside Mott cells.
Conclusions:
- Circulating Mott cells in poultry may serve as indicators of stress, dyscrasia, and underlying pathology.
- Mott cells represent defective plasmacytes and can complicate the interpretation of standard hematological parameters like the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio.
- The identification of Mott cells has implications for avian hematology, immunology, pathology, and animal welfare assessments.
