Morphohistological Evaluation of Embryonic Development of Bursa Fabricius in Chicks

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Bursa Fabricius (BF), the primary lymphoid organ of poultry, is responsible for humoral immunity. In poultry, it is very important for BF to complete its embryonic development and reach to a certain maturity in terms of maintaining a healthy life of the animal. In this study, BF development and its morphometric measurements were investigated in chick embryos. BF was taken from 24 Babcock white Leghorn chick embryos on the 10th, 13th, 16th and 21st days of incubation. The average BF weight was 0.006±0.001 g on the 10th day, while this value was 0.037±0.007 g on the 21st day. Average cranio-caudal diameter was different according to the determined incubation days, statistically. While this value was 2.39±0.10 mm on the 10th day, it was 7.55±0.66 mm on the 21st day. The average latero-lateral diameter was ranged from 1.94±0.15 mm to 4.71±0.96 mm, while the average dorso-ventral diameter was in the range of 1.48±0.28 mm and 2.29±0.42 mm. Histologically, a central lumen and plica development were observed on the 10th day of incubation in the bursal sections. 13-day-old embryos were found to have epithelial buddings, two different epithelial structures and three layers of wall in the BF. On the 21st day, we were observed that histologic development of BF was completed. In conclusion, obtained these data concluded that BF is an important lymphoid organ in terms of maintaining a healthy life of the poultry. It is also believed that the obtained morphometric measurements can be used as reference data for further studies on this organ.

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Bursa fabricius , chick , embryonic development , lymphoid organ , immun system

Fırat University Veterinary Journal Of Health Sciences

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Fırat University Veterinary Journal Of Health Sciences