Cloacal immunisation of the turkey using a soluble antigen

1. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) in saline applied to the cloacal "lips" of turkeys was sucked in by quick movements (cloacal drinking). 2. BSA-stimulated antibody production was limited to lymphoid cells in the bursa of Fabricius and in the caecal tonsils. No serum antibody was detected after cloacal drinking of BSA. 3. This response is probably of significance in the local defence mechanism of the intestine.