鸭瘟病毒强毒株在感染鸭实质器官内的增殖与分布

鸭瘟病毒(DPV)CHv强毒株经皮下注射、滴鼻和口服3种途径分别感染20日龄天府肉鸭,于攻毒后10、30、60、90min以及4、12、48、72h和9、15d每组分别剖杀2只鸭,采集心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑、胸腺、法氏囊、哈德氏腺等实质器官,应用TaqMan-MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR对DPV在这些器官的分布和增殖进行检测。结果表明,DPV分布到具体器官的速度与感染的途径、鸭的解剖结构密切相关,其中皮下注射是DPV分布到各实质器官速度最快的途径。30min于皮下感染鸭的肝、脾、胸腺、法氏囊、哈德氏腺、肺、脑、肾,口服感染鸭的肺和法氏囊,滴鼻感染鸭的心脏和哈德氏腺均检测到DPV-DNA;90min所有受检样品中检测到DPV-DNA。鸭抗DPV感染的免疫器官的重要性依次是脾、胸腺、法氏囊和哈德氏腺,30min内DPV-DNA分布到脾、胸腺、法氏囊的速度和数量决定了DPV感染的潜伏期和疾病的严重程度。不同途经感染鸭的相同器官在同一时间内的DPV-DNA拷贝数大多以皮下感染鸭为最高。DPV致死鸭的法氏囊和肾是DPV-DNA含量最高的实质器官。     

Pathogenicity of a low-virulence duck virus enteritis isolate with apparent immunosuppressive ability

Duck enteritis virus (DEV) was isolated from commercial 2-to-6-wk-old white Pekin ducks experiencing 25%-30% mortality and high morbidity. Secondary infections with Pasteurella multocida, Riemerella anatipestifer, and Escherichia coli were frequently seen in affected ducks. The isolated virus was identical to the prototype DEV by virus neutralization test but differed from the classic DEV by causing lymphoid organ atrophy and inconsistent hemorrhagic lesions in the intestinal annular bands. Attempts to reproduce the disease in white Pekin ducks were unsuccessful until the virulence of the virus was increased by three passages in Muscovy ducklings. Significant thymic atrophy (P < or = 0.001) was detected during the first 10 days postinfection (DPI), but thymus size returned to normal by 17-24 DPI. However, bursal atrophy increased significantly (P < or = 0.001) from 4 DPI until the end of the experiment (39 DPI). Reduction in body weight was significant (P < or = 0.05) between 4 and 6 DPI. There was massive depletion of thymic and bursal lymphocytes with lymphoid necrosis in the thymus, bursa, spleen, and Harderian gland. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions were observed in thymus, bursa, spleen, esophagus, cloaca, liver, conjunctiva, and Harderian gland. Occasional intracytoplasmic inclusions were also found scattered in the epithelial cells of conjunctiva, esophagus, bursa of Fabricius, and cloaca. Virus was recovered from experimentally infected ducks from thymus, bursa, spleen, liver, kidneys, trigeminal ganglion, and cloaca during the first 10 days of infection. These findings suggest that a low-virulent DEV can cause a massive lymphoid atrophy and can sustain immunosuppression as noted by the secondary bacterial infection.     

鸡贫血病—法氏囊病疫苗免疫母鸡后子代雏鸡的免疫学变化

本项目应用现代免疫学新技术对鸡传染性贫血病（CIA）-传染性法氏囊病（IBD）疫苗联合免疫母鸡后,其子代雏鸡外周血液T、B细胞数量和IgG、IgM、IgA含量法及法氏囊、胸腺、脾脏、盲肠扁桃体、哈德尔腺的T细胞和IgG、IgM、IgA抗体生成细胞数量以及泪液、气管液、胆汁、肠液的IgA、IgM、IgG含量的变化进行了动态研究。结果发现,CIA-IBD疫苗联合免疫母鸡后,其子代雏鸡外周血液、免疫器官组织和局部体液的上述各项指标均不同程度地高于未免疫的相应对照雏鸡。表明CIA-IBD疫苗免疫母鸡后,其子代雏鸡的体液免疫和细胞免疫功能明显增强,而CIAV-IBDV强毒攻击后,未免疫的子代雏鸡,其外周血液,免疫器官组织和局部体液的各项免疫学指标均明显低于疫苗免疫攻毒的子代雏鸡,这与未免疫雏鸡缺乏特异性抗体,强毒攻击后,雏鸡免疫器官组织广泛损害,淋巴细胞变性坏死等有关。     

马立克氏病疫苗免疫后鸡免疫器官组织抗体生成细胞的变化

本实验分别用马立克氏病（ＭＤ）三价苗和ＨＶＴ疫苗肌肉注射免疫１日龄雏鸡，在１０、２０、４０、６０和９０日龄以兔抗鸡ＩｇＧ、ＩｇＭ和ＩｇＡ重链抗血清为一抗，用彩色免疫金银染色法检测法氏囊、脾脏、盲肠扁桃体和哈德尔腺的ＩｇＧ、ＩｇＭ和ＩｇＡ抗体生成细胞的动态变化。结果发现：雏鸡ＭＤ疫苗免疫后，法氏囊和脾脏的ＩｇＧ、ＩｇＭ和ＩｇＡ抗体生成细胞较对照鸡显著增多，盲肠扁桃体以ＩｇＡ抗体生成细胞为主、哈德尔腺以ＩｇＧ抗体生成细胞居多的三种抗体生成细胞数量均明显升高；三价苗免疫鸡的抗体生成细胞显著多于ＨＶＴ疫苗免疫鸡。说明ＭＤ疫苗免疫鸡全身免疫器官、呼吸道和消化道相关局部免疫组织的体液免疫反应显著增强，三价苗免疫鸡的体液免疫应答水平明显高于ＨＶＴ疫苗免疫鸡。     

Short-term exposure to subacute doses of aflatoxin-induced depressed mitogen responses in young mallard ducks

Mallard ducklings were fed diets containing corn naturally contaminated with mixed aflatoxins, purified T-2 toxin, or no detectable mycotoxin in two trials. The aflatoxin level used was 12 ppb in the first trial and 33 ppb in the second. T-2 was added at 2 ppm in both trials. No pathology was associated with the aflatoxin used in this study, and T-2--induced lesions were described in a previous publication. The weights of primary (thymus and bursa of Fabricius) and secondary (spleen) lymphoid organs were significantly reduced in the T-2--treated birds. The total number of viable cells recovered from the thymus was significantly reduced in aflatoxin-treated birds. The numbers of viable cells recovered from thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen were all significantly reduced after treatment with T-2. In each trial, significantly lower mitogenic responses were seen to pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A in birds fed aflatoxin or T-2, representing reduction in both B-cell and T-cell mitogenesis. Birds fed aflatoxin also had significantly reduced Escherichia coli O55 lipopolysaccharide-induced mitogenic responses. These studies indicate that subacute oral exposure to aflatoxin caused a loss of normal lymphocyte reactivity in mallard ducklings. This finding supports the hypothesis that waterfowl that ingest even small quantities of mycotoxin-contaminated waste grain are likely to be more susceptible to bacterial or viral infections.     

肉鸽法氏囊、脾脏和胸腺的形态学、组织学观察

[目的]为今后研究肉鸽免疫功能提供其免疫器官的形态学、组织学观察依据。[方法]选取40日龄的肉鸽,摘除法氏囊、脾脏和胸腺进行形态学观察;通过制作常规石蜡切片,苏木精—伊红染色,显微照相进行组织学观察。[结果]40日龄肉鸽法氏囊黏膜上皮完整,黏膜固有层腔上囊小结数量减少,体积变小,中间出现空泡,淋巴细胞减少;法氏囊小结中皮质和髓质界限不明显,小结周围有大量的结缔组织增生,导致法氏囊免疫功能降低。脾脏各组织结构发育趋于完善,细胞排列紧密。胸腺髓质中淋巴细胞较少,可见胸腺小体;皮质中淋巴细胞较多。[结论]40日龄的肉鸽法氏囊开始萎缩,免疫功能降低,而脾脏和胸腺免疫功能正常。     

鸭瘟病毒强毒株在急性人工感染成年鸭病例体内分布规律

5 6只 3月龄四川麻鸭经皮下接种鸭瘟病毒 (DPV)强毒 SC1株 ,成功建立了 DPV感染的急性病理模型 ,并应用PCR方法检测了不同时间 DPV在感染鸭体各组织器官的分布情况。结果表明 ,接种 2 h后 ,即能够从脑、肝、脾、法氏囊、胸腺中检出 DPV DNA;12 h,可从心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、脑、胸肌、食管、腺胃、血液、舌、口腔分泌物、皮肤、骨髓和粪便等检测到 DPV的 DNA。检出时间最早和检出率最高的组织器官为肝脏和脑组织。本试验为阐明 DPV的致病机理和应用 PCR方法检测感染鸭体组织中的 DPV提供了重要的实验数据。     

SPF雏鸡感染REV后免疫器官免疫功能的动态变化

试验通过对 1日龄 SPF雏鸡人工感染网状内皮组织增殖病病毒 ( REV) ,观察了免疫器官胸腺、法氏囊和脾脏 T、B淋巴细胞增殖反应的动态变化。结果表明 ,雏鸡感染 REV后胸腺 T淋巴细胞的增殖反应于7、2 1、4 2和 4 9日龄明显降低 ( P<0 .0 5) ,于感染后 1 4、2 8和 3 5日龄极显著减弱 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ;脾脏 T淋巴细胞的增殖反应分别于感染后 1 4～ 2 8d和 3 5～ 4 9d较对照组雏鸡明显或极明显降低 ( P<0 .0 5,P<0 .0 1 )。法氏囊和脾脏 B淋巴细胞增殖反应分别在感染后 7～ 4 9d和 1 4～ 4 9d极显著减弱 ( P<0 .0 1 )。免疫器官胸腺重量和脾脏重量与体重比值及体重分别于感染后 7～ 4 9、7～ 3 5、7～ 4 9d明显降低 ( P<0 .0 5,P<0 .0 1 )。说明SPF雏鸡感染 REV后 ,免疫器官 (胸腺、法氏囊和脾脏 )淋巴细胞发生变性坏死、数量减少和功能降低 ,机体的细胞免疫和体液免疫功能均发生明显降低或抑制     

鸭瘟病毒弱毒株在免疫雏鸭体内的分布和排毒规律

鸭瘟病毒(DPV)弱毒Cha株经皮下、口服和滴鼻3种途径免疫1日龄雏鸭，应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测了病毒在体内分布和排毒规律。Cha株免疫雏鸭后，对血液、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌、肌肉、骨髓、粪便和食道共19种组织PCR检测结果如下：(1)皮下接种雏鸭后4h，即可在心、肝、脾、肾、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑和小脑共10种组织中检出DPV的DNA；8h后，所有采取的组织器官均可检测到DPV的DNA。(2)口服接种雏鸭后4h，可在舌和食道中检测到DPV的DNA；8h后，可在心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌、食道和血液共12种组织器官中检出DPV的DNA。(3)滴鼻接种雏鸭后4h，未能在各种组织中检出DPV的DNA；8h后，可在心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌、食道和血液共11种组织中检测到DPV的DNA。(4)在3种免疫途径中，检出时间最早和检出率最高的组织器官为肝脏、脑(大脑、小脑和延脑)；3种途径免疫的鸭，从免疫后12h至21d均能从所有采集的组织中检测出DPV DNA。     

鸡传染性法氏囊病的病理学研究

人工接种２８日龄非免疫鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒（ＩＢＤＶ）后,对感染鸡的法氏囊、胸腺、脾、盲肠扁桃体、哈德氏腺、肝、肾进行病理组织学检查。感染后４８ｈ,法氏囊淋巴组织最早出现坏死且长久存在。其他淋巴器官的病变出现较迟,程度轻微且恢复较快。ＩＢＤＶ单抗免疫荧光检测,法氏囊及其他淋巴器官中均检测到病毒,接种后１２ｈ法氏囊中即检出病毒,持续时间也最长（攻毒后１２ｄ）,其次是盲肠扁桃体（攻毒后８ｄ）。攻毒１３ｄ以后,上述器官均未检测到病毒。法氏囊粘膜上皮的扫描电镜观察,攻毒后２ｄ,上皮细胞肿胀,微绒毛减少或消失。攻毒后３ｄ,局部上皮细胞坏死、脱落,并向整个粘膜层扩展,攻毒后１０ｄ,上皮层基本修复。     

B cell and macrophage response in chicks after oral administration of Salmonella typhimurium strains

Despite the fact that, in a number of countries, vaccination programmes are extensively used to control Salmonella infection in poultry, information on the immune mechanisms, especially the cellular response, is still needed. The aim of the study was to characterise the B cell and macrophage response in caecum (IgA+, IgM+, IgG+ cells, macrophages), bursa of Fabricius (IgM+ cells, macrophages), and spleen (IgM+ cells) of chicks after oral administration of a non-attenuated Salmonella (S.) typhimurium wild-type strain (infection) or an attenuated commercial live S. typhimurium vaccine strain (immunisation) to day-old chicks as compared to non-treated control birds using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. In caecum, higher counts of IgM-secreting cells were detected in infected animals compared with the controls from day 5 until day 12 of age. In contrast, in treated groups, IgA-secreting cells were found in higher numbers only between day 8 and 12 of age. Infected birds showed a higher number of IgA+ cells in spleen and bursa of Fabricius compared to the controls. In the bursa of Fabricius of immunised and infected birds, a depletion of strongly stained IgM+ cells and macrophages was established between day 5 and 9 indicating a possibly special and independent role of this organ during the immunological reaction against Salmonella organisms. The results suggest that IgM- and IgA-secreting cells are of importance in the caecal immune response of chickens against Salmonella strains. Immunised chickens always showed a weaker immune reaction compared to infected animals. Present findings regarding the B cell reaction within avian caeca prove a participation of both humoral and cellular immunity in defence against Salmonella strains. Immunohistochemical examination of the cellular response (B cells and macrophages) in relevant organs of chickens may be an important tool to evaluate the immunogenic characteristics of potential Salmonella live vaccine candidates.     

Age-related changes in the number of mast cells in the avian lymphoid organs

The distribution of mast cells (MCs) was studied in the lymphoid organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen) of 0-, 7-, 21-, 30- and 120-day-old chickens, using light microscopic histochemical techniques. Tissues samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia from animals in five groups. Tissues were fixed in Mota's fixative (basic lead acetate) for 24 h and embedded in paraffin. Six-micrometre-thick sections were stained with toluidine blue in 0.5% aqueous solution at pH 1.0 for 5 min and Alcian blue/Safranine at pH 1.42 for 30 min. MCs were found in the organs, mostly associated with sinuses and blood vessels. A large increase in MCs was observed in both thymus and spleen of 21-day-old chickens compared with 0-, 7-, 30- and 120-day-old chickens. However, in the bursa of Fabricius, numbers of MCs were significantly higher in the 7-day-old group compared with other age groups. Safranine-positive MCs were not observed in all organs and age groups. These results showed age-related changes in the number of MCs in avian lymphoid tissues.     

Presence of Campylobacter jejuni in various organs one hour, one day, and one week following oral or intracloacal inoculations of broiler chicks

Day-old broiler chicks (n=30) were obtained from a commercial hatchery and inoculated, either orally or intracloacally, with a characterized strain of Campylobacter jejuni. At 1 hr, 1 day, and 1 wk after inoculation, broilers (n = 5) from the orally and intracloacally inoculated groups along with control birds (n=4) were humanely killed by cervical dislocation. The broilers from the control and treatment groups were aseptically opened, and the thymus, spleen, liver/gallbladder, bursa of Fabricius, and ceca were aseptically removed and individually analyzed for C. jejuni. Overall, C. jejuni was isolated after oral inoculation from 13% (10/ 75), 17% (13/75), and 28% (14/50) of the 1-hr, 1-day, and 1-wk samples, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 10% (4/ 40), 8% (3/40), 10% (4/40), 25% (10/40), and 40% (16/40) of the thymus, spleen, liver/gallbladder, bursa of Fabricius, and ceca samples, respectively. Following the intracloacal route of inoculation, C. jejuni was recovered from 32% (24/75), 8% (6/75), and 16% (8/50) of the 1-hr, 1-day, and 1-wk samples, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 5% (2/40), 5% (2/40), 5% (2/40), 45% (18/40), and 40% (16/40) of the thymus, spleen, liver/gallbladder, bursa of Fabricius, and ceca samples, respectively, for all sampling periods. Campylobacter spp. were not recovered from sample sites examined from the control broilers from trial one, trial two, or trial three samples examined after 1 hr and 1 day. However, one control sample was positive from the 1-wk sampling from repetition three; therefore, those data were omitted. The rapid movement of Campylobacter to internal organs following both oral and intracloacal inoculation may be significant, particularly if it persists in these organs as reservoirs throughout the 65-wk life cycle of breeding birds.     

Serovar-specific real-time quantitative detection of Salmonella enteritidis in the gastrointestinal tract of ducks after oral challenge

The objective of this study was to identify and understand the regular distribution pattern and primary penetration site for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in the gastrointestinal tract of ducks. An assay based on the serovar-specific DNA sequence of SE from GenBank, a serovar-specific real-time, fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was developed for the detection of SE. We used this assay to detect genomic DNA of SE in the blood and gastrointestinal tract, including duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, rectum, esophagus, stomach muscularis, and stomach glandularis, from ducks after oral challenge at different time points. The results showed that SE was consistently detected in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. The jejunum and ileum were positive 8 hr postinoculation (PI). The organism was detected in blood 12 hr PI, while the final organ to show a positive result was the stomach at 24 hr PI. The copy number of SE DNA in each tissue reached a peak at 24-36 hr PI, with the jejunum, ileum, and cecum containing high concentrations of SE, whereas the blood, duodenum, rectum, stomach, and esophagus had low concentrations. SE populations began to decrease and were not detectable at 2 days PI, but were still present up to 9 days PI in the jejunum, ileum, and cecum without causing apparent symptoms. By 3 days PI the cecum had significantly higher numbers of SE than any of the other areas (P < 0.01), and this appeared to reflect its function as a repository for SE. In conclusion, the results provided significant data for understanding the life cycle of SE in the gastrointestinal tract and showed that the jejunum, ileum, and cecum were the primary sites of invasion in normal ducks after oral challenge. This study will help to understand the mechanisms of action of SE infection in vivo.     

Effect of Senna occidentalis seeds on immunity in broiler chickens

This study investigated possible immunotoxic effects of Senna occidentalis (So) seeds incorporated in broiler chicken rations at different concentrations (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%), for 28 or 42 days. We evaluated innate immune function (macrophage activities of spreading, phagocytosis, peroxide and nitric oxide production) and acquired immune function (humoral and cellular immune responses), as well as lymphoid organ weights and pathology. There was enhanced macrophage activity, as hydrogen peroxide production increased (P < 0.05) in cells of birds given 0.75%So, but there were no other pro-inflammatory effects. Birds receiving 0.75% of So in ration for 42 days gained less weight (P < 0.01), and showed a decrease in relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05) and spleen (P < 0.01). In addition, morphological changes were also noted in these lymphoid organs, with depletion of lymphoid cells on the spleen and bursa of Fabricius, resulting in lower relative weight of both lymphoid organs. No impairment of humoral immune response against Newcastle disease and in cellular immune response after a phytohaemagglutinin challenge was found. It is probable that mitochondrial damage and related apoptosis may be responsible for the enhanced peroxide production and the reduced relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and spleen.     

Replication kinetics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> enteritidis in internal organs of ducklings after oral challenge: a quantitative time-course study using real-time PCR

This research was undertaken to understand the replication kinetics of Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) in the internal organs of ducklings after oral challenge over a 2 wk period. A serovar-specific real-time, fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) assay was used to detect genomic DNA of S. enteritidis in the blood and the internal organs at different time points respectively. The results showed that the spleen was positive at 12 h post inoculation (PI) and the blood was at 14 h PI. The organism was detected in the liver and heart at 16 h PI, the pancreas and kidney were positive at 20 h PI, and the final organ to show a positive results was the gallbladder at 22 h PI. The copy number of S. enteritidis DNA in each tissue reached a peak at 24 h–36 h PI, with the liver and spleen containing the highest concentration of S. enteritidis. The blood, heart, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder had low concentrations. S. enteritidis populations began to decrease and were not detectable at 3 d PI, but were still present up to 2 wk for the spleen without causing apparent symptoms. To make the results meaningful, a side-by-side bacteriology method (IFA) was performed. The results of IFA were similar to the FQ-PCR assay. This research provided a significant data for understanding the life cycle of S. enteritidis in the internal organs, and may help to understand the pathogenesis of S.entertidis in the future.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of chicken tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-superfamily ligands, CD30L and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)

CD30 ligand (CD30L) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) are members of the TNF-superfamily that have many important biological activities in cell proliferation and apoptotic death. In this study, both genes in the chicken were cloned and their expression was analyzed. Complementary DNA fragments were obtained from a suppressive subtractive hybridization library with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation. Chicken CD30L consists of 1,152 base pairs (bp) with an open reading frame (ORF) of 720 bp having 36.4% identity with human CD30L, whereas chicken TRAIL is 1,134 bp long with an ORF of 912 bp having 54.4% identity with human TRAIL. Chicken CD30L was expressed at high levels in the spleen, bursa of Fabricius and in the chicken monocytic leukemia cell line, IN24. Stimulation with LPS in the spleen, bursa of Fabricius and the IN24 cell line did not affect CD30L expression. The gene expression of chicken TRAIL was essentially to the same level in all tissues examined. The time course of expression was not significantly altered by LPS-stimulation in the spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius, but reached a maximal level 8 hr after stimulation in the IN24 cell line. The high level expression of both genes in lymphoid organs and IN24 cell line indicates that chicken CD30L and TRAIL may also play an important role in apoptotic signal transduction and the regulation of cell proliferation in the immune system.     

谷氨酰胺对肉鸡免疫器官胚后发育的影响

160只1日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡随机分成4组。分别饲喂添加0％、0．2％、0．4％和0．8％谷氨酰胺（Gln）饲粮28d。每周末取鸡24只，每组6只，颈静脉放血致死，取胸腺、法氏囊和脾脏，称重．制作切片．光镜观察，研究基础日粮中添加Gln对肉鸡免疫器官胚后发育的影响。结果显示：（1）添加0．8％Gln组1、4周龄和添加0．4％Gln组2、4周龄胸腺重量显著高于对照组（P〈0．05），添加0．8％Gln组2周龄极显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）；添加0．4％Gln组1、2、4周龄和添加0．8％Gln组4周龄法氏囊重量显著高于对照组（P〈0．05），添加0．8％Gln组1、2周龄极显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）；试验各组脾脏重量均高于对照组。添加0．8％Gln组4周龄显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）。（2）试验组胸腺小叶皮质增厚，淋巴细胞密集，髓质比例减小。胸腺小体减少、减小。试验组法氏囊皱襞内淋巴滤泡增多，皮质增厚．淋巴细胞增多。试验组脾脏脾小结增多、增大；动脉周围淋巴鞘增厚；椭球增多、增大．细胞排列疏松．鞘毛细血管管腔变大．内皮细胞增高。间隙增大。添加0．8％Gln对肉鸡免疫器官发育影响最为明显。结果表明，日粮中添加Gln对肉鸡中枢淋巴器官胚后发育的促进作用优于外周淋巴器官。并有延缓法氏囊退化作用。本试验从组织学角度证明Gln能够促进机体淋巴细胞的增殖分化及免疫器官的胚后发育，进而提高机体的免疫功能。     

实验性肉雏维生素A缺乏对免疫器官影响的形态学研究

150只一日龄罗曼混合肉雏被随机分为四组,分别饲喂含维生素A为0、750、3000和6000IU的日粮。在20、30和45日龄时,每组剖检5只鸡,分离并称重免疫器官后,取材,石蜡包埋,切片,镜检。结果表明:维生素A缺乏和不足使免疫器官组织萎缩,间质结缔组织增生,上皮角化,腔上囊和胸腺的相对重量明显减少(P<0.01)。对免疫器官的损害程度是腔上囊>胸腺>脾脏>盲肠扁桃体。提高日粮中维生素A含量有提高肉雏增重、饲料报酬和免疫器官相对重量之趋势。     

禽网状内皮组织增生症病毒感染肉鸡中鸡白细胞介素18的定量检测

建立并利用鸡白细胞介素18(Chicken interleukin-18,ChIL-18)荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对禽网状内皮组织增生症病毒(Reticuloendotheliosis virus,REV)感染肉鸡后主要免疫器官的IL-18 mRNA转录水平进行了初步研究.结果表明,与对照组相比,处理组脾脏、胸腺和法氏囊中IL 18的分泌水平在感染后7和14 d均显著升高(P＜0.05),在感染21、28、35和42d表达差异均有显著变化(P＜0.05).本研究为探讨REV感染的免疫抑制机理奠定了一定基础.