Phytohaemagglutinin injection has a long‐lasting effect on immune cells

• Published in: Journal of Avian Biology
• Main Authors: Sarv, Tuul, Hõrak, Peeter
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2009
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Avian Studies
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-048x.2009.04713.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1600-048X.2009.04713.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1600-048X.2009.04713.x

Measurement of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐induced skin swelling is the most popular assay of immune function in avian studies. The mechanisms causing swelling have been relatively well studied; however, very little is known about the potential long term physiological effects of PHA. Here we show that injection of PHA into patagium of captive greenfinches Carduelis chloris increases the concentration of heterophils (phagocytic cells of the innate immune response) in the peripheral blood for at least 30 days. Such long‐term consequences should be taken into account when using PHA skin test in studies monitoring changes in individual physiological condition and/or immune status.