The Immune Response in Mice of Genotypes W/Wv and Sl/Sld1

Mutations at the w and si loci in mice severely affect the function of the hemopoietic system. Because the stem cells of the immune system are thought to be identical with hemopoietic stem cells, mice of genotypes W/Wv and Sl/Sld were tested for their capacity to respond to sheep erythrocytes. The results indicate that these mutations do not have detrimental effects on the differentiation of the immune system. In fact, mice of genotype W/Wv mice respond better to sheep erythrocytes than do coisogenic, normal mice.