FUNCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF RETICULO-ENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM .3. BACTERICIDAL CAPACITY OF FIXED MACROPHAGES OF FOETAL AND NEONATAL CHICKS AND RATS

  • 1 January 1965
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (1) , 67-+
Abstract
The bactericidal capacity of the fixed macrophages of foetal and neonatal rats and chicks was investigated. It has been shown that as a population the phagocytic cells of these embryos lack a bactericidal mechanism for certain strains of Gram-negative bacteria, even in the presence of specific antibody. Neonates, however, were shown to have developed such a mechanism soon after birth. The implication of these findings is discussed in relation to antibody formation.