The influence of cyclophosphamide on lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes in mice

The research was carried out on mice of the Swiss strain in the following groups: after a single dose od cyclophosphamide (CY--300 mg/kg), after the administration of sheep erythrocytes (2 X 10(8) into the pads of hind feet and on animals sheep erythrocytes were given to on the fourth days after the CY administration. On the days following the administration of CY, a histological evaluation of the popliteal lymph nodes was performed. The total number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the number of EA and EAC-rosette forming lymphocytes in lymph nodes and peripheral blood was established. The results made it possible to state, that CY causes a selective lymphocyte depletion of the lymph node lymphoid cell in the cortical areas (thymus independent), which effect was the strongest on the fourth day after the CY injection. The administration of sheep erythrocytes during this period caused changes characteristic for the immunological response in lymph nodes and in peripheral blood. Those changes, as observed in the examined parameters, were less intensified than in animals not treated with CY.