Leukocyte Counts of Germ-Free Neonatally Thymectomized CFW Mice

Examination of hematologic data from germ-free, germ-free thymectomized, conventional, and conventional thymectomized CFW mice revealed few statistically significant differences in hematocrit values or total leukocyte counts. Germ-free thymectomized and conventional thymectomized mice had significantly higher counts than their controls on 8 and 9 days out of the first 2 weeks following thymectomy, but not after 2 weeks. A slight decrease in agranulocytes was noted in both groups of thymectomized mice only during the first 2 weeks postthymectomy. With the onset of wasting disease both granulocyte and agranulocyte counts increased in the conventional thymectomized mice.