Lymph node mast cells in athymic "nude" (Nu/Nu) and thymus containing (Nu/+ and +/+) Balb/c mice.

Total number of mast cells in popliteal lymph nodes of Balb/c mice is a function of time and Nu gene (complex?) content. The number of mast cells increases with age - in both wild +/+ and in Nu gene (complex?) carriers (Nu/+ and Nu/Nu). The increase in the number of mast cells is faster in the Nu gene carriers than in wild animals +/+ devoid of this gene. In "nude" mice having advanced hepatitis a dramatic increase in the number of lymphoid mast cells was observed. Results obtained deny the importance of thymus in the production of lymphatic mast cells in mice.