Age-Dependent Rise and Fall of Immunological Reactivity in the CBA Mouse2

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Abstract
The age-dependent rise and fall of immunological reactivity were studied in the CBA mouse. The 19S antibody synthesis was considered both at the single cell level and as serum antibody titers (7S antibody production only as serum titers). Immediately after birth a rapid exponential increase of immunological reactivity lasted for approximately 1 month, followed by a slower rise. The peak of reactivity for both 19S and 7S antibody synthesis was reached when the mice were around 7 months of age, after which it began to decline slowly during the age periods tested (36 months). No evidence was found that the single antibody-producing cell in a senile mouse differed from that of a younger animal. The data strongly suggest that the decline of immunological reactivity was due to a decrease with age in the relative and absolute numbers of potential antibody-producing cells. The relative role of the spleen as antibody producer was the same, irrespective of age. The data are discussed with regard to earlier findings, and the possible implications for the increased frequency of tumors in old ages are considered.