[Functional morphology of the lymphoid apparatus in experimental mammary cancer (quantitative histochemical study)]

A histological investigation of the mammary glands and lymph nodes as well as a quantitative histoenzymological investigation of the content of nucleic acids and the activity of a number of enzymes were carried out. A reaction of the lymph nodes to tumour growth was established. A uniform type of this reaction justifies the assumption about a generalized response of the peripheral lymphoid tissue. The quantitative histochemical investigation revealed the specificity of the regional node response. A clear-cut dynamics on functional-morphological indices in the zones of T- and B-lymphocytes distribution with early activation of hydrolytic enzymes was observed. At the development stage of tumours a reverse ratio of nucleic acids contents and the activity of enzymes of eneryg metabolism was detected. This dissociation seems to be of importnace in realization of tumour growth in the mammary gland.