Production and control of specificity of a goat anti-bovine thymocytes antiserum

The identification and the numeration of the lymphocytes in cattle is realized essentially by revealing the membranary properties of these cells: receptors for some lectins (i.e. peanut agglutinin or phytohemagglutinin), receptors for sheep red blood cells (SRBC), surface-specific antigens concerning T-lymphocytes and surface immunoglobulins concerning B-lymphocytes. The technique of the production in the goat of a specific anti-bovine T-lymphocyte antiserum (GABTA) is described. The GABTA shows a specific cytotoxic activity on 55% of the peripheral blood lymphocytes and more than 95% of the thymocytes. It inhibits, at 90%, the formation of the rosetting with SRBC. This reagent allows identification and a common and quick numeration of the T-lymphocytes in cattle.