[Cytological composition of spleen parenchyma in two and four month-old piglets].

The aim of this research was to study the cytological composition of spleen parenchyma in two and four month-old piglets and the distribution of cells among the major histological structures of the organ. Material was obtained from 20 decapitated piglets, tissue samples were processed using standard histological and histochemical methods including Perls, MacManus and Brachet staining. The data on the age aspect of quantitative composition and cell concentration in the spleen were obtained. The number of plasma cells in the mantle zone of lymphoid nodules was found to increase by 46%, while the number of eosinophilic granulocytes and macrophages in the red pulp increased by 67 and 40%, respectively. The number of megakaryocytes in the splenic cords increased by 127%. Population of T- and B-dependent zones with lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages was detected. Cellular composition and concentration changes in various splenic zones are indicative of a certain increase of organ reactivity in 4 month-old piglets.