Abstract
The effects of ovariectomy, ovariohysterectomy and hysterectomy on total and differential white blood cell counts, distribution of T and B lymphocytes and T/B cell relationship were studied. Changes in these parameters associated with the surgical operations were observed in total leukocytes and lymphocytes, absolute and relative band neutrophils and T/B cell relationship. Results suggest that the ovaries together with the uterus are potential regulatory organs upon the absolute number of circulating leukocytes and lymphocytes in female Lewis rats. In addition to their effects upon this important population of cells, the ovaries and uterus have moderate effects upon relative T and B lymphocyte numbers in peripheral blood. In general the changes depend mainly on the removal of the ovaries and to a lesser degree on hysterectomy.