Mast Cell Dynamics in the Digestive System During Infection by Muscovy Duck Reovirus

In order to investigate the influence of mast cell on young Muscovy duck digestive system infected muscovy duck reovirus, 60 healthy muscovy ducks at 5 days old were randomly divided into test group (30 ducks) and control group (30 ducks), the 2 groups were kept in the isolation room. The ducks of experiment group were injected 0.2 mL Muscovy duck reovirus (1% of TCID50, TCID50 = 10-3.7558) by i.m on leg and the ducks of control group were treated with 0.2 mL normal saline. After infection 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days, the mast cell dynamics in liver, pancreas, esophagus, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, the ileum and cecum and rectum were recorded, respectively. The results showed that muscovy duck reovirus affect the mast cell quantity in the organ of digestive system, the mast cell number of the experiment group was higher than the control group at the earlier infection stage. With the time extended, the damage degree of virus to the organ of digestive system was different, the mast cell quantity in digestive system was different as well. It is concluded that in the process of the infection by muscovy duck reovirus, especially to digestive system, the mast cell played an important role.