REACTION OF THE THYMUS TO TRAUMA IN DRUM-RESISTANT RATS

Abstract

The reaction of the adrenals and thymus to trauma in a Noble–Collip drum was studied in control rats and in rats that had developed trauma-resistance by increasing traumatization in this drum. Although the reaction of the adrenals is the same in both groups as determined by the ascorbic acid and cholesterol content, the thymus decreases in weight only in control animals exposed to trauma for the first time. Thymus regresses in trauma-resistant rats only after a mortal dose of trauma. Trauma-resistant rats have heavier adrenal glands than control animals. This difference is more expressed in males than in females. Catabolic doses of cortisone cause a lesser loss in thymus weight in resistant animals than in control rats. After sterile abscess, the loss of thymus weight was only slightly smaller in trauma-resistant rats.