Influence on allograft rejection of thymectomy at different stages of larval development in urodele amphibian Pleurode waltlii Michah. (Salamandridae)

Abstract

Thymectomy was performed on the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. from the 5th to the 20th week of larval development. Thymectomized animals were allografted at 7 months of age. The results obtained are as follows: (1) Pleurodeles thymectomized before 10 weeks always tolerated allografts: (2) Pleurodeles thymectomized within 11 to 13 weeks generally rejected allografts in a chronic manner, but sometimes tolerated them; (3) normal rejections occurred in Pleurodeles thymectomized at 14 weeks, or later. Stage 52 of the developmental table (10 weeks of age) is a critical "end stage" for the efficiency of thymectomy. The results are confirmed by the fate of second set allografts performed in all these animals.

Sex reversal of germ cell gametogenesis in chimeras of Pleurodeles waltl (urodele amphibian): Genetic and immunogenetic demonstration using tolerance or rejection of skin grafts

“…Comparatively, the occurrence of reciprocal tolerance to skin grafts is about 40% on animals of the same siblings (Goujon 1974). In contrast, absence of reciprocal graft rejection is the general rule for thymectomized animals (Charlemagne & Houillon 1968; Fache & Charlemagne 1975), for experimental twins, or animals cloned using the technique of nuclear transplantation (Aimar 1971, 1972). In the present study, a 100% tolerance was acquired between the four pieces of the two chimeras constituting a pair.…”

Grafts of ovaries in males and females of Pleurodeles waltl (urodele amphibia): evidence of a long-term tolerance of allografts; application following a space biology experiment

“…Com-paratively, the occurrence of reciprocal tolerance to skin grafts is about 40% on animals of the same sibling or on chimaeras (Goujon, 1974). In contrast, absence of reciprocal graft rejection is the general rule for animals which are thymectomized (Charlemagne and Houillon, 1968;Fache and Charlemagne, 1975) or cloned using the technique of nuclear transplantation (Aimar, 1971(Aimar, , 1972, or for experimental twins, or animals belonging to strains selected for their histocompatibility (Charlemagne and Tournefier, 1974 (Gallien, 1950(Gallien, , 1954Chardard et al, 1995). It (Gurdon, 1960;Horneck et al, 1984;Kadhim et al, 1992;Cadet et al, 1993;Sabatier et al, 1993).…”