PECULIARITIES OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL ORGANS CONDITION OF IMMUNOGENESIS IN QUAILS DURING POSTNATAL ONTOGENESIS

Abstract

In the article are given results concerning main morphometric characteristics of immunogenesis organs in “Pharaon” breed of quails of industrial raising during different periods of postnatal ontogenesis. There were published many works, devoted to investigation of immune system of quails as to their age and there was revealed an early stage of physiological immaturity (1-10 days after they are out) the stage of physiological hyperplasia of immune system organs (1,5-2,5 months after they are out) and the stage of age (accidental) involution (in 2,5 months after they are out). The aim of the investigation was to clarify the physiological and morphological changes in central and peripheral organs of immune system of “Pharaon” breed of quails of  industrial raising during postnatal ontogenesis. To achieve the goal there were slaughtered quails in every age period and selected for investigations the thymus, Fabrytsius bursa, spleen.

According to obtained results it was stated that 20 days old quails possessed the thymus mass as much as 0,36 ± 0,061 gr, and its index was on the average 4,10 ± 0,10. Absolute and comparative mass of  bursa was 0,09 ± 0,021 gr and 0,12 ± 0,015 per cent and index was 1,19 ± 0,13. Absolute spleen mass (weight) was 0,08 ± 0,022 gr, whereas index was 1,04 ± 0,05.

33 days old quails possessed the absolute thymus weight as much as 0,83 ± 0,052 gr, two times larger (p < 0,001), compared  with 20 days old birds. But, comparative weight and thymus index were 0,44 ± 0,115 per cent and 4,37 ± 0,11; obtained results were almost the same as with 20 days old quails absolute mass of bursa in 33 days old quails reached 0,23 ± 0,045 gr, two times larger (p < 0,005) compared with 20 days old birds, but comparative weight and index were almost the same as at the beginning of the experiment. Absolute weight of the spleen became larger (up to 0,14 ± 0,013 gr) but its comparative weight and index became smaller up to 0,08 ± 0,015 per cent and 0,74 ± 0,08, compared with 20 days old quails.

Absolute mass and thymus index of 53 days old quails were 0,11 ± 0,073 gr and 0,33 ± 0,18 respectively, three times smaller (p < 0,005 – 0,001) compared  with 20 days old quails. The absolute bursa weight was 0,38 ± 0,066 gr three times larger (p < 0,01) compared with 20 days old quails. Absolute spleen mass was increasing up to 0,27 ± 0,071 gr, three times larger (p < 0,005) compared with 20 days old quails, but comparative mass and index of the spleen were the same as at the beginning of the experiment.

Absolute weight and thymus index of 75 days old quails were 0,10 ± 0,024 gr and 0,38 ± 0,15, three times smaller (p < 0,01 – 0,001) compared  with 20 days old quails. Absolute bursa mass was 0,14 ± 0,070 gr a little bit more, compared with 20 days old quails, but comparative mass and bursa index were increasing up to 0,05 ± 0,013 per cent and 0,45 ± 0,09 (p < 0,05 – 0,01) respectively. Absolute spleen mass was larger compared with 20 days old birds and was 0,15 ± 0,010 gr, but comparative mass and spleen mass were reducing up to 0,06 ± 0, 011 per cent and 0,57 ± 0,12 (p < 0,05 – 0,01) respectively. Obtained results point out at real lowering of comparative mass and index of the thymus in 53 days old and 75 days old quails, which confirms the change of specific imunomorphological reactions, the material substrate of immune answer is the thymus and also the beginning of it age involution. Reduction of bursa and spleen index lower than 1,0 may emphasize the depression of B-link immunity that is reduction of  B-lymphocytes formation in 75 days old quails. Reduction of comparative spleen mass on the basis of reduction of the same thymus index and Fabrytsius bursa of 75 days old quails may stress on lowering of compensatory body abilities.