Abstract: Objective To study the relationship of structure and function of thymus and day-age in mice. Method The apoptosis and amount of thymocytes in different day-age mice were observed. These samples were examined by immunohistochemical ABC methods. Result Apoptosis of thymocytes were observed in mice of different age. Apoptosis of thymocytes of newborn mice,14 d, 28 d mice did'nt show significent difference(P> 0.05). Apoptosis of thymocytes is increased in mice of 42 d and 56 d(P<0.01) and T cells are reduced(P<0.05; P<0.01). Conclusion Thymic function of immature mice is normal. But it is no increased when mice development. After mice be born 42 d, Apoptosis of thymocytes is increased, Mature T cells are decreased and function were reduced.

Key words: Thymus, Thymocytes, T cell, Apoptosis

摘要： 目的　探讨小鼠胸腺的结构、功能变化与日龄的关系。方法　以不同日龄的小鼠为研究对象,采用免疫组织化学方法观察胸腺细胞的凋亡情况和胸腺中T淋巴细胞的数目变化。结果　不同日龄小鼠均可见胸腺细胞凋亡,新生小鼠、第1 4、2 8d小鼠组间无明显区别(P >0 0 5 ) ,日龄4 2、5 6d小鼠相比于幼龄小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡显著增多(P <0 0 5 ;P <0 0 1 ) ,且T细胞数目明显减少(P <0 0 5 )。结论　幼龄小鼠胸腺功能已成熟,并不随小鼠的发育而增强。至日龄4 2d后,胸腺细胞凋亡明显加快,胸腺萎缩,成熟T细胞减少,功能降低。

关键词: 胸腺, 胸腺细胞, T细胞