IMPROVEMENT IN CLINICAL CONDITION AND THYMUS MORPHOLOGIC FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH GROWTH-HORMONE TREATMENT OF IMMUNODEFICIENT DWARF DOGS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (6) , 1151-1155
Abstract
Immunodeficient dwarfism in Weimaraner dogs was characterized by failure to grow, emaciation, growth hormone (GH) deficiency, decreased lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness to mitogens, lack of thymus cortex and recurrent infections usually resulting in death. Affected pups did not respond to conventional supportive therapy, but did respond to treatment with thymosin fraction 5. Response to therapy with bovine GH was monitored by clinical observation, histopathologic examination of thymic biopsy material, lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness to nonspecific mitogens [phytohemagglutinin, cancanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen] and radioimmunoassay of thymosin .alpha.-1 concentration in the serum. GH therapy (0.1 mg/kg body wt/dose, 14 doses) during a 1-mo. period in 2 immunodeficient dwarf pups resulted in clinical improvement and a marked increase in the thickness and cellularity of the cortex of the thymus. Immunodeficient dwarf pups were not deficient in serum thymosin .alpha.-1 before GH therapy. GH therapy was not associated with a consistent increase in serum thymosin .alpha.-1 concentration or lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness to mitogens.