Cellular response to various chemical stimulants in the peritoneal cavity of the mouse

A number of chemical substances were analysed for their effect on the total yield, differential count and cell volume of peritoneal exudate when administered parenterally. Inoculation of lysolecithin, thioglycolate and Freunds' complete adjuvant resulted in a cell-rich peritoneal lavage. Whereas the adjuvant-induced exudate was predominantly rich in polymorphonuclear cells, lysolecithin and thioglycolate produced maximum yield of mononuclear cells, with a mean spherical equivalent diameter bigger than those of the non-stimulated animals. The number of cells positive for non-specific esterase activity was significantly more in the stimulated animals.