Harvesting Tissue from Immunized Mice, Rats, and Hamsters

Immunologically active organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes are rich sources of antibodies; they are also major sites in the body where antibody-producing B cells accumulate. The lymph nodes, in particular, can be targeted when deciding where to inject an animal with antigen. Once an immunized animal has developed a sufficient serum antibody titer, these organs can be harvested for hybridoma fusion and monoclonal antibody production.