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Thymus and the Carcinogenic Induction of Mouse Leukemia^*

Arthur Kirschbaum and Annabel G. Liebelt

( Department of Anatomy, Baylor University College of Medicine; Department of Biology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Anatomy, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.)

The incidence of methylcholanthrene-induced lymphocytic leukemia was not reduced by thymectomy when DBA/2 mice received 36 skin paintings of 0.25 per cent methylcholanthrene in benzene during 12 weeks, beginning at 42–50 days of age. When half this dose of carcinogen (eighteen skin paintings) was given, thymectomy reduced the incidence of induced leukemia, indicating a lower threshold of sensitivity of thymic lymphoid tissue to the leukemogenic action of methylcholanthrene. Gonadectomy enhanced susceptibility to the induction of leukemia whether or not mice possessed a thymus.

^* Supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, Public Health Service, and the American Cancer Society upon recommendation of the Committee on Growth of the National Research Council.

Present address: Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas. Work begun at University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Received 7/ 1/55.