Distribution of immunoglobulin and secretory component containing cells in chickens

Distribution of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells and secretory component in internal organs of two 15-day-old embryos and 17 chickens, 1 to 480 days old, were examined by fluorescent antibody technique. In 15-day-old embryos, Ig-containing cells were not found in gut, bursa, spleen, or thymus. The bursa of Fabricius synthesized IgM, IgG, and IgA in as young as 1-day-old chicks. In extrabursal organs, IgM-containing cells were already present in intestine of 1-day-old chicks, but IgA-containing cells appeared in intestine, thymus, and spleen between the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Very few IgG-containing cells were in intestine on the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Secretory component was found in epithelial surfaces of intestine and ductus choledochus of most chickens examined. The presence of secretory component and IgA-containing cells in intestine supported the existence of secretory-immunologic system in chickens.