Effects of Bursectomy and Splenectomy of White Leghorn Roosters on Subsequent Northern Fowl Mite Populations

Abstract

White Leghorn roosters bursectomized at one day of age, splenectomized at 21 days of age, or bursectomized at one day of age and splenectomized at 21 days of age were infested with the northern fowl mite (NFM) at 22 to 23 weeks of age. No significant differences in NFM populations were observed in the bursectomized, splenectomized, bursectomized and splenectomized, or control roosters during the 24-week infestation period.

Comparative Analysis of Precipitating Antibodies in White Rock and Fayoumi Hens Injected with Bovine Serum Albumin or Crude Mite Extract with Resulting Effects on Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) Population Densities

“…Hall et al (1978) reported that Cornell Randombred Leghorn roosters selected for high antibody response to sheep red blood cells supported significantly fewer northern fowl mites than roosters selected for low antibody response. Suppression of B-lymphocyte activity by bursectomizing 1day-old White Leghorn roosters had no effect on subsequent northern fowl mite populations (DeVaney et al, 1984).…”