The development of the lymphoid organs of flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, from hatching to 13 months

The growth of the lymphoid organs, such as head kidney, spleen and thymus were studied in flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus Temminck & Schlegel, from hatching to 13 months of age. Except for the thymus, all organs grew as the fish grew. By 2 months of age the lymphoid organs attained their maximum relative weight. The organ weight showed a closer correlation to body weight than they did to age. The total number of leucocytes in the lymphoid organs increased with age, but the number per milligram of lymphoid organ remained constant. A micro and ultrastructural study of the lymphoid organs showed that the full development of the lymphoid organs was not achieved until the juvenile stage. The spleen and head kidney had mixed populations of “red” and “white” cells. The head kidney was more lymphoid than the spleen. The thymus involuted quickly during the first 6 months. The blood components had no obvious relationship with age or season during the period studied.