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Growth Kinetics of Porcine Lymphatic Organs during Early Postnatal Life
Author(s) -
Schnapper A.,
Uhr G.,
Meyer W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0264.2003.00487.x
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , context (archaeology) , kinetics , biology , spleen , colostrum , immune system , andrology , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , antibody
Summary During the critical early postnatal period, the development of lymphatic organs, being the major structural components of the immune system, progresses rapidly. In this context, the growth kinetics and growth rates of Peyer's patches, tonsilla veli palatini, lymphnodes (lc. mesentericum craniale and lc. bronchale), spleen and thymus were investigated in German landrace piglets from birth until 2 weeks of age. The weight of all these organs increased faster than body weight but regression analysis revealed remarkable differences in growth kinetics and growth rates. The lymphoepithelial organs (Peyer's patches, tonsilla veli palatini) had low growth rates at birth (∼10%/day) that increased continuously until 2 weeks, while lymphnodes and spleen exhibited constant high growth rates (∼40%/day). Small intestinal lymphnodes alone showed biphasic growth kinetics which could be attributed to colostrum absorption. The growth kinetics of the thymus included a point of inflexion at the end of the first week. The differences in growth kinetics and growth rates are discussed with regard to their immunobiological relevance.