PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSES OF LYMPHOCYTES IN BOVICOLA OVIS-INFESTED LAMBS

Proliferative responses of peripheral blood and prescapular lymph node lymphocytes from 8 B. ovis-infested and 8 naive lambs to concanavalin A (Con A) and soluble antigen of B. ovis were examined in vitro. The numbers of lice and the extent of cockle were also assessed on each la mb. Prescapular lymph node lymphocytes from infested lambs showed sign ificantly higher responses to B. ovis antigen than those from naive la mbs. Only a marginal difference was observed between infested and naiv e lambs in the response of lymphocytes from peripheral blood. Prolifer ative responses to Con A by prescapular lymph node or blood cells were not significantly different between groups. The results indicated a r elationship between the intensity of louse infestation and the prolife rative response of prescapular lymph node lymphocytes to B. ovis antig en.