Thymectomy in the neonatal rat.

A method for removal of the thymus in the newborn rat employing measures aimed at reducing the mortality incurred by the surgical procedure, cannibalism and infection is described in detail. Tranquilisation of the dam, sterile technique, magnification of the operative site for thymus aspiration, warming to 37 degrees C during the recovery phase, and application of pheromones to the offspring prior to their reunion with the dam, all proved important in increasing the survival rate.