Relationships between IgE antibody production and other immune responses. II. Effect of thymectomy at various times after birth.

Mice were subjected to thymectomy at various times after birth and immunized with ovalbumin in aluminum hydroxide gel at 4 or 8 weeks of age. The capacities to produce IgE, IgM and IgG antibodies were abolished by thymectomy carried out within 48 h after birth. The capacity to produce IgE antibody was not affected by thymectomy at 7 days or later, whereas the capacities to produce IgM and IgG antibodies were reduced by thymectomy carried out at 4 weeks of age.