Change of immunological function in hypophysectomized rats and adrenalectomized rats

The primary role of the thymus in immunological function is unanimously recognized. It is also proposed that hypothalamus, hypophysis and adrenal system may be acting as a factor to control immunological activity, but the detail mechanism of this system remains inclarified.We have reported that serum immunogloblin levels in hypophysectomized rats and adrenalectomized rats have elevated.We analysed surface cell markers (W 3/13, W 3/25 and ox 8) of lymphoid tissue cells (thymus, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes) in rats either hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized using by FACS 440. Ox 8+ peripheral blood lymphocytes decreased and W 3/25+/ox 8+ ratio of spleen lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes elevated in hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized rats.These results suggest that hypophysis and adrenal axis have the potential to regulate immunological system.