[Histoenzymological characteristics of changes in the thymus gland in xenogenous form of graft vs host reaction].

The structural and functional lesions in the thymus of newborn animals in which xenogeneic graft versus host reaction was produced. Against the background of thymus hypoplasia, a decrease in mitogenesis and a reduction in the number of metabolically active lymphocyte forms were found. At the same time, activation of reticuloepithelial cells, macrophages, and giant cells was observed. It is assumed that such changes in the thymus may reflect an adaptative reaction of the host directed at making up the deficiency of peripheral T-lymphocytes developing in GVHR.