Distribution of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues of the turkey: effect of oral treatment with intestinal microflora

: One-day-old turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were orally inoculated with the intestinal contents of an adult turkey, and the intestinal tissues were studied by immunofluorescence for immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing cells at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Microflora inoculation increased numbers of Ig-bearing cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues; the most uniform effects were observed at 3 days of age. As the birds grew older, this uniformity in response to the microflora inoculation was not evident in all the tissues. In the bursa of Fabricius and the large intestine of the inoculated birds, IgM-bearing cells were more numerous throughout the study period. Compared with noninoculated control turkeys, IgA-bearing cells in the cecal tonsils, and IgG- and IgA-bearing cells in the small intestine were increased at all age intervals.