Effect of Hibernation on the Hamster Spleen Immune Reaction in vitro∗

Summary Spleen explants from hamsters kept at room temperature responded strongly when immunized with sheep red blood cells in vitro. Spleens from cold-adapted animals behaved essentially like those obtained from normal animals. In contrast, spleen explants obtained from hibernating animals tended to be less capable or incapable of giving a detectable response to the same antigen under identical conditons of cultivation. Restoration of competence was obtained by cultivation of spleen explants in combination with a number of other tissues.