A Study of the Role of the Thymus and Spleen in the Formation of Antibodies in the Rabbit

Abstract

The thymus did not play a demonstrable role in the formation of antibodies by the young rabbit, or in the retention of antibodies derived by the fetus from the maternal circulation. Only slight evidence of formation of antibodies in the spleen was shown following the subcutaneous injection of antigens. Following intravenous injection of antigens, however, high antibody-titers were demonstrated in splenic extracts. The failure of the thymus to form antibodies, which is in contrast with ecent and current observations on the lymph-nodes and spleen is discussed in erms of the architectural differences between the thymus and those organs.