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gen and pertussis dependent. Since these changes are observed only in EAO responder strains of mice, they may be pathogenetically related to EAO ini- tiation. Blood-testis barrier (BTB) defect occurred between days 20-25, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum between Sertoli cells, penetration of Ig in seminiferous tubular walls and probable immune complex (C3) deposition in tubular basement membranes. We conclude that (i) murine EAO is a reproducible model of testicular autoimmunity, (2) its induction is in part under MHC gene control, (3) orchitis and vasitis are dissociable pathologic entities, (3) the pathogenesis of orchitis is related to transient degenerative changes in the Sertoli cells associated with Ig deposition, the nature of which is yet un- defined, and (4) EAO is associated with defective BTB. (Supported by NIH grant HD-14504.)

EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNE OOPHORITIS /EIO/ AS A MODEL FOR STUDYING THE THYMUS-OVARY INTERACTION. 1.MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES.

Maria IVANOVA*, Violeta BOURNEVA**, Ludmil GITSOV**,Zorka ANGELO- VA~ *Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction **Central Laboratory for Brain Research, Sofia, Bulgaria

The EIO model was used to study the functional relationship between the ovary-hypotalamus axis and some lymphoid organs (thy- mus, spleen, lymph nodes). EIO was developed in mature and in- fantile BALB/c mice by twofold s.c. injections of saline ovarian extract in CFA. The above mentioned organ~ were investigated his- tologically, histoautoradiographically (H ~, thymidine) and elec- tronmicroscopically.Morphological changes in the ovary due to the experimental immune reaction were observed on day 21 after the first injection. During induction of EIO morphological changes in thymus and spleen were established and they were considered as a sign of increased thymic lymphoid cell migration and spleen lymphoid cell proliferation. The data obtained were discussed in connection with thymus female reproductive system interactions.

A CLINICALLY-DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE DETECTION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL-

LY-CONDITIONED INFERTILITY IN COWS

V.V.DIKOV, V.KARCHEVA, A.P.TORNYOV Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction Bul~arian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

A model for the determination of the values of delayed cellular immune response to sperm antigens in cases of immunolo- gically-conditioned aconception in cows has been elaborated and is discussed. The test is based on the intrapalpebral and intradermal (infracaudal) delayed reactions induced by the injection of sperm-antigen extracts. The test may also present evidence for other causes of immunologically-conditioned infer- tility, missed abortions, etc.