[Structure of the spleen of Papio hamadryas during ontogenesis]

By means of morphometrical and histochemical methods serial topographic sections of the spleen have been studied in 23 Papio hamadryas of five age groups: fetuses, newborns, 1.5-2 years of age, mature and old animals. The peculiarities of morphogenesis and age histology of the monkey spleen have been followed and their similarity with changes of the organ in the human ontogenesis has been compared. Owing to the analysis of the structural components and the cellular composition relations, it is possible to conclude that in the fetuses the histological structure of the spleen is not completed, the maximal cytopoetic activity of the organ is observed in 1.5-2-year-old animals and involutionary changes begin in mature period. Possible functional peculiarities of the spleen are considered during various age periods.