Thymic involution in pregnant mice. I. Characterization of the remaining thymocyte subpopulations
Phuc, L.H.; Papiernik, M.; Berrih, S.; Duval, D.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 44(2): 247-252
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6975672 Document Number: 174413
Thymic atrophy was studied during the course of pregnancy and up to 40 days post partum in 6-wk-old CBA/J mice. The number of cells in the thymus decreased before day 10 of pregnancy and atrophy was max. during the 1st wk post partum. Comparison with mothers whose litters were removed at birth demonstrated no influence of lactation on atrophy. Studies on thymic subpopulations showed that atrophy was linked to steroid-sensitive cortical cell reduction.