Lymphopoietic Tissue and Plasma Cells in Amphibians

SYNOPSIS. Lymphoid tissue and lymphopoiesis in the urodelesand anurans was reviewed. Current information suggests the spleenas the principal site of lymphopoiesis in urodeles. Anuranspresent a more complex situation and the principally spleenicreaction of Rana pipiens to "red-leg" organisms was contrastedwith the kidney intertubular lymphoid reaction of Bufo marinusto bovine serum albumin. Intracisternal accumulations of slightlyelectron dense material, probably immunoglobulins, were morefrequently found in Bufo marinus plasma cells than cells withundistended cisternae suggesting some specialization of thesecells in cold-bloodedvertebrates. The superficial nature ofour current knowledge of lymphoid tissue function and immunityin this groups was emphasized.