[Differentiation of fetal lymphocytes with the DP-(dipeptidylpeptidase-) IV technique].

The knowledge about the ontogenicity of the human immune system based on animal experiments. In this study expulsed fetus of women with sponeous and arteficial abortions were analysed because of the content of T4(+)-lymphocytes in the lymphatic tissues. The thymus, spleen, and a piece of the bone marrow were dissected, homogenised and the lymphocytes were separated. The identification of the T4+ cells was performed by the cytochemical staining of dideptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV). It could established that from the 15th to the 26th week of gestation the number of T4+ cells increased in the thymus and spleen but not in the bone marrow. In cases with rubella infection was the number of T4+ cells in the spleen increased if the fetus have had no signs of embryopathy.