The influence of immunosuppressive action on the structure of the thymus of experimental animals during gestation 

Aleksey A. Zakharov, Doctor of medical sciences, professor, professor of the sub-department of histology, cytology and embryology, Lugansk State Medical University named after St. Luke (1G 50-letiya Oborony Luganska Block, Lugansk, Russia), E-mail: masterhist@mail.ru
Vlada V. Vergunova, Postgraduate street, Lugansk State Medical University named after St. Luke (1G 50-letiya Oborony Luganska Block, Lugansk, Russia), E-mail: vergunova1998@mail.ru

Background. The purpose of the study was to investigate changes in the morphometric parameters of the thymus of experimental animals during immunosuppression in the second week of gestation. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 24 female white laboratory rats of the second week of pregnancy with an initial weight of 210- 250 g. The animals were divided into 2 groups. Immunosuppression was modeled using methotrexate at a dosage of 10 mg/m2 of body area at the beginning of diestrus. The rats were excised at the end of 2 weeks of pregnancy, the absolute and relative mass of the thymus, linear characteristics, and volume were measured. The micromorphometric parameters of the organ and the levels of interleukins in blood plasma were also determined. Results. In the process of studying organometric and micromorphometric indicators, it was noted that the linear dimensions of the organ, its relative and absolute mass, and volume significantly decrease. In addition, all micromorphometric parameters also decrease during the same observation period against the background of significant deviations in the concentration of cytokines in blood plasma relative to the control data. Conclusions. Morphometric changes in the parameters of the organ at different levels of the study indicate systemic changes in the structure of the thymus.

 thymus, immunosuppression, gestation, methotrexate, rats

Zakharov A.A., Vergunova V.V. The influence of immunosuppressive action on the structure of the thymus of experimental animals during gestation. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Meditsinskie nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Medical sciences. 2024;(4):87–92. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2072-3032-2024-4-7