Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland
Published on: December 1, 2015
Subpopulations of lymphocytes in the mammary gland of sheep
C S Lee1, E Meeusen, M R Brandon
1Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
The subpopulations of lymphocytes in the pregnant and non-pregnant mammary glands of the sheep were delineated by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The most striking feature observed was that in the mammary gland of both pregnant and non-pregnant sheep the great majority of the lymphocytes in the ductal and alveolar epithelium were agranulated CD8+ CD5- cells. A small subpopulation of granulated lymphocytes in the epithelium expressed the CD45R antigen but not the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Other subpopulations, especially B lymphocytes, were present in much lower concentrations and were located mainly in the periductal and intralobular connective tissues. Patches of lymphocytes clustering around venules were observed and the majority of them were shown to be CD5+ CD4+, while some were CD5+ CD8+ but none were CD45R+ (B cell). It is suggested that selective traffic of T cells occurs at these sites.
The subpopulations of lymphocytes in the pregnant and non-pregnant mammary glands of the sheep were delineated by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The most striking feature observed was that in the mammary gland of both pregnant and non-pregnant sheep the great majority of the lymphocytes in the ductal and alveolar epithelium were agranulated CD8+ CD5- cells. A small subpopulation of granulated lymphocytes in the epithelium expressed the CD45R antigen but not the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Other subpopulations, especially B lymphocytes, were present in much lower concentrations and were located mainly in the periductal and intralobular connective tissues. Patches of lymphocytes clustering around venules were observed and the majority of them were shown to be CD5+ CD4+, while some were CD5+ CD8+ but none were CD45R+ (B cell). It is suggested that selective traffic of T cells occurs at these sites.
Related Concept Videos
Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...

