Evaluation of Immune Responses of T-cells in Guinea Fowl

T-cells are the key associates of cell-mediated immunity. Development of cell-mediated immunity during post-hatch periods in Guinea fowl was assessed using lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) with treatment of Concanavalin–A (Con-A) as a mitogen for T-Lymphocyte. Blastogenic response study and evaluation of delayed type hypersentivity reaction (DTH) using the dinitrochlorobenzene as the allergen were undertaken. Using Spectrophotometer the mean delta optical density (OD) of Con-A stimulated T-cells cultures was estimated to be 0.031, 0.119, 0.158, 0.186, 0.289, 0.398, 0.341, 0.321, 0.284, and 0.228 at days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 of post-hatch life, respectively. The gross lesions, after challenge by the allergen DNCB (dinitrochlorobenzene), included erythema, indurations, ulceration and scab formation. The mean skin thickness at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours post-challenge was recorded 0.180, 0.200, 0.287, 0.307, 0.300 and 0.290 mm, respectively. These values for control skin were 0.220, 0.261, 0.350, 0.400, 0.400 and 0.350 mm on respective hours of observation. Histological changes observed by using Verhoef's elastic stain, Masson's trichrome stain and Gomori's reticular stain.