The avian inflammatory response: adaptation and utilization of skin windows.
A modified skin window system was developed and utilized for examination of the local inflammatory response in the chicken. Data were collected at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 28, 32 and 48 hours following wing-web scarification. The first cells observed were heterophils and they remained the predominant type through 32 hours. Mononuclears began infiltrating at a rapid rate of 8 to 12 hours, and by 48 hours they represented slightly more than one-half of the total cells observed. The total number of cells present increased rapidly to a peak at 24 hours, and then declined during the 24 to 48 hour period. The percentage of heterophils and mononuclears showed an inverse relationship throughout the 48 hour period, as appreciable numbers of eosinophils and basophils were not observed. Macrophages were the predominant mononuclear cells. Degranulation of heterophils was extensive in the 2 to 4 hour periods, but was much less common thereafter. As the time after scarification increased, macrophages exhibited; (1) increased cytoplasm to nucleus ratio, (2) increased numbers of phagocytic vacuoles, and (3) a marked tendency to form giant cells. The results obtained in this study were similar to those recorded for mammals, except that the percentage shift toward mononuclears occurred at a faster rate in mammals.