Abstract
The bursal cells of testosterone-injected chicks were examined for B antigen and surface Ig positive lymphocytes and epitope densities of these markers. Injection of testosterone reduced epitope density of B antigen and the ratio of B+ sIg- cells in the bursa with little reduction of the ratio of thymic and splenic B+ or sIg+ cells. The amount of 3H-testosterone bound to sIg- cells in bursal B cells was significantly larger than that to sIg+ bursacytes. The results indicate that androgens act directly upon bursal B+ sIg- cells leading to interruption of B+ sIg- cell differentiation. The possibility that androgens, inhibiting the induction of B antigen, reduces B+ sIg- cells might be considered.
