The Timing of Antigen Injection Relative to Whole Body X-Irradiation and the Development of Circulating Antibody and the Splenic Histologic Reaction in the Rat

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Antibody formation and the histological reaction of the rat spleen have been studied following intravenous antigenic stimulation at varying times relative to whole body x-irradiation. Irradiation within four days after antigen injection caused a depression of the peak of antibody. This depression became more marked as the interval between irradiation and antigen injection was shortened. Irradiation 1 and 6 days before antigen injection abolished antibody formation. The amount of circulating antibody was correlated with the degree of hyperplasia and increase in pyronin staining of cells of the splenic red pulp. Depression of circulating antibody by whole body x-irradiation appears to be related to alteration of the histologic response to antigenic stimulation.