[Biologically active thymic factors and melatonin-producing pineal function in mice in aging].

The aging peculiarities of thymic factors influence on pineal gland function in CBA mice were investigated. It was shown that in serum of the adult mice (3-4 m) melatonin level increased significantly in 3 h after one injection of thymic preparation "thymaline". The activating influence ofthymaline depended on season and linked with increased level of thymic serum factor (FTS). Thymic stroma supernatant of adult mice with high FTS level increased melatonin-producing pineal function in vitro. There was no activating influence of thymic factors on pineal function of old mice (23-24 mo) in vivo and in vitro as well as the pineal seasonal reaction on the administration of thymaline. The importance of thymic factors influence on melatonine level for the immune system rhythmic functioning was discussed.