EFFECT OF CORTISOL INVITRO AND INVIVO ON PRODUCTION OF BOVINE INTERLEUKIN-2

  • 1 April 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (4) , 841-845
Abstract
The influence of cortisol in vitro and in vivo on lymphocyte proliferative responses and interleukin 2 (IL2) production was evaluated in Hereford feeder calves. Cortisol, added to bovine mononuclear cell cultures, reduced (P < 0.05) mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferative responses and IL2 production. Lower IL2 activity from cortisol-treated cell cultures was not caused by a cortisol-mediated cytotoxicity or a residual cortisol effect on the IL2-indicator cell line. Calves given ACTH (1.0 IU/kg of body weight, IM) twice daily for 2 days had increased (P < 0.001) plasma cortisol concentrations when compared with those of saline-treated controls. Leukocytosis (P < 0.002), characterized mainly by a neutrophilia (P < 0.007), was evident in ACTH-treated calves. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen were decreased (P < 0.05) in calves with increased plasma cortisol concentrations. Interleukin 2 production was lower (P < 0.05) in concanavalin A-stimulated lymhocyte cultures from ACTH-treated calves. Seemingly, lower lymphocyte proliferative responses in cortisol-treated mononuclear cell cultures and in ACTH-treated calves were caused partly by lower IL2 production.