Lipopolysaccharide induces acute bursal atrophy in broiler chicks by activating TLR4-MAPK-NF-kB/AP-1 signaling

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms that induce atrophy of the chicken bursa of Fabricius (BF) upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in young chicks. LPS treatment resulted in ~36% decrease in bursal weight within 36 h (P < 0.01). Histological analysis showed infiltration of eosinophilic heterophils and nucleated oval shaped RBCs in or near blood vessels of the BF from LPS-treated chicks.