BOVINE LYMPHOCYTES - ERYTHROCYTE ROSETTES IN NORMAL, LYMPHOMATOUS AND CORTICOSTEROID-TREATED CATTLE

Abstract

Spontaneous erythrocyte [E] rosettes, E-antibody-complement EAC rosettes and nonrosetting cells were enumerated for peripheral blood lymphocytes of normal adult, lymphomatous adult and immature cattle and for peripheral blood lymphocytes of adult cows before and after injection of corticosteroids. Calf thymic lymphocytes were examined for rosette formation. Results indicate significant reduction in peripheral blood lymphocyte-E rosettes and nonrosetting cells in tumor-bearing cows with a simultaneous elevation in percent EAC rosettes. Calf thymus had a significantly greater percent E rosettes than did peripheral blood lymphocytes from the same individuals. Corticosteroid injection reduced peripheral blood lymphocytes without altering proportion of cells as E rosettes, EAC rosettes or nonrosetting cells.