ABSTRACT
The state of endocrine organs and functions may be in part influenced by the absence of a normal lymphatic thymus, as shown in the case of female sexual functions in thymectomized or nude mice. However, neuroendocrine agents and neuropeptides also exert a clear-cut influence on the immune system; therefore, some of the endocrine disorders which would eventually be found in the athymic mouse could be primary and affect in turn the thymus-dependent system. There may also be changes in other pituitary hormone secretions and metabolism in the nudes. A significant deficiency of basophilic cells was described; the functional subtype of the deficient cells was not given, but it may have been mostly thyreotropin-producing cells. In general, endocrine and neuroendocrine systems may affect the deficient immune system even more decisively than a normal one.
