Abstract
Summary
The influence of the thymus on serum immunogobulin (Ig) concentration was studied by a comparison of serum Ig levels in congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice versus control littermate heterozygotes and adult thymsctomized, irradiated, bone marrow reconstituted mice (ATx + B) versus adult thymectomized, irradiated mice reconstituted with bone marrow and thymus (ATx + BT). In the former group IgGl. IgA, and IgG2a were 8%, 17%, and 31% of controls. IgM levels were increased (340%) compared to controls. When ATx + B mice were compared with nonirradiated controls significant depressions were noted in serum IgGl and IgM. The only significant decrease in serum Ig levels between ATx + B and ATx + BT was in IgGl. These results are discussed in terms of the effects of thymic influence, residual T lymphocyte population differences between the two groups, and the effect of irradiation.
We gratefully acknowledge the skillful technical assistance of E. Modder and G. Brighouse. We thank Dr. G. Torrigiani for his encouragement and advice.
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