EFFECT OF STORAGE OF CHICKEN AND TURKEY BLOOD ON THE LYMPHOCYTE-RESPONSES TO CONCANAVALIN-A AND POKEWEED MITOGEN

The effect of storage of whole blood of chicken and turkeys on the mit ogen responses of lymphocytes to concanavalin A (con A) and pokeweed m itogen was investigated. It was found that, despite slight differences in optimum storage conditions with respect to mitogens, species and a ge of birds, blood could be stored for 24 h at 4 degrees C without sig nificant reduction in the lymphoproliferative responses. However, even during the initial 24 h storage of blood at 4 degrees C, the levels o f reduction in stimulation index (SI) values following con A stimulati on, ranged from 27% for 3-4 week-old turkeys to 60% for 3-4 week-old w hite leghorn chickens. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.