FORMATION OF LYMPHOCYTE AGGREGATIONS IN THE PERIPORTAL SPACES OF THE LIVER AFTER REMOVAL OF CHIEF LYMPHOID ORGANS IN ADULT RABBITS

After the removal of chief lymphoid organs such as the mesenterial mass of nodes, vermiform appendix and spleen as well as other several small lymph nodes in abult rabbits, there appeared new formation of lymphocyte aggregation in the periportal spaces of the liver to a large extent and, thought to a lesser extent, also in the femoral bone marrow. This phenomenon is considered to be compensatory to the reduction in the mass of lymphoid tissue. In contrast with this, compensatory hyperplasia on the part of the remaining lymph nodes and lymphoid tissue took place only to a small extent. There was no local regeneration of lymph nodes when they had been completely rempved. The fact that a compensatory reaction in response to a marked reduction in the mass of lymphoid tissue takes place to the greatest extent in the liver was stressed.