New-born guinea pig

Sensitization of New Born Guinea Pigs (Small Subcorneal Vesicles)... 

These facts prompted us to ask Can the young guinea pig be sensitized as easily as the adult guinea pig We sensitized new-born guinea pigs (2 days old and weighing between 60 and 80 gr.) by the epicutaneous application of a primary toxic solution of 1% DNCB in acetone, performed in the same manner as for adult guinea... 

After a single application of 0.1% DNCB in acetone, the histological examination of the nipple and the flank of unsensiti ed new-born guinea pigs, does not reveal anything in particular. 

As for the experimental eczema of guinea pigs, there is neither a paranatal immunological immaturity nor a particular immunity in the new-born guinea pigs. 

As for the form of the eczema, it should be pointed out that the subcorneal vesiculettes are frequent in new-born guinea pigs, but very rare in adult guinea pigs. This is a discrepancy distinguishing the eczema of the two ages. Otherwise, the histological examination of the new-born is similar to that of the adult. 

Rosenthal and Baer (1963) then asked themselves if one could induce a tolerance in new-born guinea pigs by injecting (intraperitoneally or subcutaneously) DNCB into these animals it seems that in this case there was a tendency towards decreasing the capacity for sensitization when the guinea pigs became adult. 

Table 5.13 Influence of the fatty acid composition of the mother s dietary fat on the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in new-born guinea-pigs...

We then re-examined the histological preparations of the 70 guinea pigs sensitized to DNCB and tested in the usual manner we found no small subcorneal vesicles either on the flank or on the nipple. Hence, these small vesicles are rare in the eczema of the adult guinea pig. On the other hand, we have seen them rather frequently in new-born sensitized guinea pigs. (Fig. 15). 

In guinea pigs sensitized with DNCB we have rarely noticed such vesiculettes in adults, but often in the new-born. Nevertheless, they were always accompanied by other signs of eczema. 

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