Stimulation of lymphocytes from a dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by phytomitogens.

Activation of dolphin peripheral blood lymphocytes by the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen, was evaluated. Whole blood culture technique was employed, which eliminated the necessity of lymphocyte isolation or purification procedures. Dolphin lymphocytes responded (by increased [14C]thymidine incorporation) to all 3 mitogens, but concanavalin A consistently produced the highest degree of stimulation.