Abstract
Lymphocytic apoptosis in Peyer's patches in the small intestine of mice orally inoculated with T-2 toxin (10mg/kg b.w.) were examined for up to 48 hours after inoculation (HAI). The number of apoptotic lymphocytes observed by in situ detection method of fragmented DNA increased significantly from 6HAI and reached a plateau at 24HAI. Ultrastructurally, lymphocytes characterized by shrinkage of the cell body and condensation of nuclear chromatin and/or margination of condensed chromatin along the nuclear membrane were observed from 6HAI. Some cell nuclei were fragmented into small pieces, and these small pieces were sometimes ingested by macrophages.
