Persistence of abnormal melanocytes in immunosuppressed chickens of the autoimmune “DAM” line

摘要: The delayed amelanotic (DAM) line of chickens (Gallus gallus) is characterized by the postnatal elimination melanocytes from regenerating feathers and choroid. process accompanied a massive infiltration mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) into supporting connective tissues. When surgically bursectomized at day hatching, this lineage develop significantly less amelanosis feathers. We report here histological analysis choroids birds that maintained their plumage pigmentation. In we observed presence morphologically abnormal in absence MNL infiltration. Choroids also contained without infiltration; however, few cases with MNL. These findings indicate pigmented are even bursa leukocytic infiltrates possibly choroids. conclude these unbursectomized DAM due to response immune system an abnormality which, itself, does not lead depigmentation.