[Effect of concanavalin A on the splenic lymphocyte proliferative activity of germ-free rats]

Action of Con-A on the proliferative activity of spleen lymphocytes was studied using germfree and conventional Fisher rats 3-4 months of age and conventional 2-3 day old rats. The intensity of 3H-thymidine incorporation in lymphocytes of germfree and conventional animals was the same, however, the coefficient of stimulation was higher in germfree rats. Lymphocytes of suckling rats had a low reactivity to Con-A.