EFFECT OF REMOVAL OF BURSA FABRICII ON DEPLETION OF ADRENAL ASCORBIC ACID IN ACTH-TREATED CHICKS

Abstract

The bursa of Fabricius was surgically removed in a number of chicks; bursectomized, and bursae-intact chicks were equally treated with ACTH injections and their adrenal ascorbic acid subsequently examined. A highly significant depletion of the adrenal ascorbic acid was obtained in the bursectomized birds; no response was noted in the chicks with intact bursae. It was concluded that the bursa of Fabricius plays an inhibiting role in the elicitation of adrenal ascorbic acid depletion reaction to ACTH treatment in young birds.