THE HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN INVOLUTING MAMMARY GLANDS OF EWES IN RELATION TO THE LOCAL ALLERGIC RESPONSE

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Abstract
Summary: The histological changes in normal mammary glands of ewes at various stages of involution have been compared with the changes occurring in involuting glands infused with antigen at weaning. Attention was specifically focused on the changes in concentration and on the location of cells of the lymphocyte‐plasma cell and macrophage‐monocyte series.In both infused and non‐infused glands there was an enormous increase in the concentration of lymphocytes during involution, especially during the 4‐ to 16‐day period, and in fully involuted glands the lymphocyte was the dominant cell type. The lymphocytes were usually located adjacent to the epithelium of the alveolar remnants and small ducts.Large cells with a deeply staining nucleus and foamy cytoplasm, identified as fat‐laden macrophages, were observed in increasing numbers in the secretion within alveoli and ducts as involution progressed. Mast cells which were distinguished from other cell types by the use of alcian blue and methyl green‐ pyronin Y were observed to increase in concentration during involution. Most of these cells were found in the connective tissue septa between lobules and only occasionally adjacent to the alveolar epithelium.The most significant feature in glands infused with antigen at weaning was the striking appearance of pyroninophilic cells of the lymphocyte‐plasma cell series usually situated in areas adjacent to the degenerating alveoli. These were found in highest concentration 16 days after weaning when many resembled mature plasma cells.It is considered that the changes described provide a cellular basis for the local allergic reaction which can be elicited in mammary glands at this stage of lactation.

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