In vitro stimulation of goat peripheral blood lymphocytes: optimization and kinetics of the response to mitogens and to allogeneic lymphocytes.

Experiments were performed to establish the optimal concentrations for specific and non-specific lymphocyte transformation in vitro, in cultures containing 10(5)-10(6) caprine lymphocytes. A microculture system was used in conjunction with a semiautomatic sample harvester. The assay was optimized for mitogen concentration (PHA-P, Con A, PWM and LPS) and allogeneic cell number, number of responding cells, incubation time and amount of tracer. The effect of addition of serum and the cytotoxic effect of phytomitogens on cultured cells is discussed.