[Alveolar macrophages of sheep: purification and identification]. / Le macrophage alvéolaire de mouton: purification et identification.

Broncho-alveolar lavages of sheep lungs were performed for alveolar macrophage identification and purification. The total number of harvested cells was 1.5 x 10(8) cells per 600 ml fluid lavage, with a mean of 2.48 x 10(5) cells/ml. Cell viability was 97.14%. Alveolar macrophages represented 78% of cells harvested. Separation was carried out by adherence to plastic flasks followed by Percoll centrifugation. The best results (purity of macrophage population and cell viability) was obtained with Percoll solution and NaCl 1.5 mol.l-1 with a density of 1.033 and 1.050. Identification was carried out by the non specific esterase staining method. In conclusion, broncho-alveolar lavage of isolated sheep lung is a simple and reliable method of respiratory tract cell collection.