Separation of phagocytic leukocytes from the peripheral blood of chickens.

Phagocytic leukocytes were separated from the peripheral blood of chickens using a one-step Percoll density gradient technique. Heterophils recovered from two fractions of the gradient were of 96.9 to 99.8% purity and were fully viable and functional, as demonstrated by their capacity to phagocytose latex beads and staphylococci. Adherent mononuclear cells were cultured from specific gradient fractions and shown to phagocytose staphylococci.