[Effects of dialkyl tin salts on the immune system]

Single intravenous administration of 8 mg/kg of di-n-octyltin dichloride (DOTC) induced in mice a reversible decrease of thymus weight, thymocyte count and antibody titer against sheep red blood cells. After 14 days the values of treated animals were not lower than the values of control groups. The proportion of T and B lymphocytes in spleen and lymph nodes was found unchanged 4--5 days after administration of DOTC. concentrations of DOTC measured in thymus and spleen of treated mice were in the range of concentrations which are toxic for thymocytes and macrophages in vitro. The activity of di-n-alkyltin salts on the thymus of mice was independent of the length of the alkyl chains in the range of 4--8 C atoms.