[Proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes induced in rats by ovalbumin feeding (author's transl)]

Seventy-seven Wistar rats were immunized by ingestion of ovalbumin in drinking water for two weeks. Specific response was assessed by the study of the responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to this antigen. A significant increase of thymidine incorporation was observed in forty-nine orally immunized rats. The reaction could be evidenced for six weeks after the end of antigen ingestion. The nature of the response is discussed.