Conventional and germfree ingested a suspension of 2-.mu.m latex particles in drinking water for a 15-day period. Number and distribution of intestinal Peyer''s patches did not differ significantly in the 2 types of mice. Cleared Peyer''s patches were compared with regard to size and particle content. The location of particles within Peyer''s patch follicles of germfree mice was similar to that of conventional mice, but the latter had significantly larger follicles and greater accumulations of latex particles. Latex concentration varied with patch location. Proximal patches contained the majority of particles in germfree mice, whereas particles were most abundant in distal patches of conventional mice. Particle uptake into Peyer''s patches takes place even in the complete absence of bacteria in the gut.