Bone changes in young mice with impaired lymphoid system.

Disturbances of osseal growth were observed in young mice with their lymphoid system affected by antihymocyte serum or mitolactol (dibromodulcitol) treatment. These bone changes were similar to those observed in germ-free and neonatally thymectomized mice as well as in mice suffering from a graft vs. host reaction. Their severity was in direct correlation with the disturbance of the thymus dependent lymphoid system. Not only immunological adaptation but also normal bone growth appears to require an intact thymus and thymus dependent lymphoid system.