RELATIVE ANTIBODY-FORMING CAPACITY OF SPLEEN CELLS AS A FUNCTION OF AGE

Abstract
Using an in vivo culture model, the relative antibody-forming capacity of spleen cells of donor mice varies with age from 1 week to 29 months. A very rapid increase in activity was noted from 1 week to 1 month of age, and less rapid increase from 1 to 8 months. The maximum antibody-forming capacity was obtained with cells from 8-month-old donors. A gradual decrease seemed to take place over the subsequent 21 months of life.