Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences

The macrostructure of the esophageal tonsils of the chickens cross Chever 579 in the age aspect (1-day-old to 3 year-old) was studied. 1- day old, chicks were vaccinated against Marek's disease and infectious bronchitis, and 12-, 30-, 80- and 100-day-old chicks were revaccinated against infectious bronchitis. In carrying out the work, conventional macroscopic methods of morphological research were used. Macroscopically, the chicken’s esophageal tonsil becomes noticeable at 10 days of age. It has the appearance of a thin whitish-pink ring-shaped strip. In 15-day old chicks the mucosa folding of this area deepens, the color of the esophageal tonsil changes to pale yellowish. Her surface becomes tuberous and well developed in older birds. Linear measurements of esophageal tonsils change with increasing age of chickens. The maximum values of the parameters of its length and width are reached in 120-day-old birds (length – 27,83 ± 0,87 mm and width – 6,63 ± 0,51 mm), after which the length measurement remains almost unchanged, and the width decreases and reaches its minimum value at the age of 3 year (4,80 ± 0,60 mm). 

chickens, esophageal tonsil, lymphoid tissue macrostructure, vaccination, linear measurements