Mast Cell Proliferation in Adult Rats

Abstract

Mast cell proliferation was investigated in adult male rats using continuous infusions of tritiated thymidine to label deoxyribonucleic acid. The results indicate that the total number of mast cells increases as body weight increases (though at a lower rate) and that there is no mast cell turnover in the sense of discard and replacement. No evidence was found of mast cell formation from ‘stem’ cells.