Lymphoid Organs and Normal Gamma-Globulin in the Rat
Stig Bryde Andersen 1 and
Franz Bierring 1
1 Department of Clinical Chemistry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, and Medicinsk-Anatomisk Institut, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Serum gamma-globulin was determined in adult rats several months after total thymectomy, subtotal splenectomy, or a combination of total thymectomy, subtotal splenectomy, and subtotallymphadenectomy. The thymus apparently is of little importance in the production of normal gamma-globulin, but it may influence the production of albumin because a reduction of serum albumin was only seen in groups where thymectomy was performed. The spleen seems to produce normal gamma-globulin to a greater extent than lymphoid tissue elsewhere in the body.