Fonfria J, Barrutia M G, Garrido E, Ardavin C F, Zapata A
Cell Tissue Res. 1983;232(2):445-55. doi: 10.1007/BF00213799.
Although previously described in other avian species, intrathymic erythropoiesis is a remarkable feature of the thymus of Sturnus unicolor. In discrete stages of the life cycle of this species, erythroblasts and mature erythrocytes occupy large areas of the thymic cortex and cortico-medullary border. Simultaneously, degenerated thymocytes and epithelial-reticular cells occur in the same areas. The relationship between intrathymic erythropoiesis, degeneration of cortical lymphocytes and epithelial-reticular cells, and macrophage activity is discussed and related to a possible functional role of sex hormones in this phenomenon.
虽然胸腺内红细胞生成在其他鸟类中已有描述，但纯色椋鸟胸腺的这一特征十分显著。在该物种生命周期的不同阶段，成红细胞和成熟红细胞占据了胸腺皮质和皮质 - 髓质交界处的大片区域。同时，退化的胸腺细胞和上皮网状细胞也出现在相同区域。本文讨论了胸腺内红细胞生成、皮质淋巴细胞和上皮网状细胞的退化以及巨噬细胞活性之间的关系，并探讨了性激素在这一现象中可能发挥的功能作用。
