Effects of Diethylstilbestrol and Estramustine Phosphate (Estracyt) on Lymphoid Cell Populations and Mitogen Responsiveness in Male Mice

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Abstract
Concentrations of diethylstilbestrol phosphate (DES) and estramustine phosphate (EMP) above 10-5 M in cultures of spleen lymphocytes from adult male mice resulted in a dose related inhibition of both Con [concanavalin] A and LPS [Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide] induced lymphocyte proliferation. Male mice injected with 5.6 mg/kg DES daily for 7 days had a significantly reduced responsiveness to Con A and LPS compared to mice injected with olive oil only. Spleen lymphocytes from male mice treated with 100 mg/kg EMP showed a reduction of Con A induced mitogenesis; they exhibited a significantly enhanced response to LPS. The effects of DES and EMP on Con A and LPS induced blastogenesis were abolished within 2 wk after cessation of treatment. DES treatment resulted in preferential depletion of splenic and lymph node T lymphocytes and a disproportionate T lymphocyte subpopulation with respect to Ly subclasses. Exposure to 30 or 100 mg/kg EMP resulted in a dose related loss of mononuclear cells in spleen and lymph nodes. T lymphocytes predominantly of the Ly-1 phenotype were most sensitive to EMP. Co-cultures of spleen lymphocytes from normal mice and mitomycin C blocked spleen cells from normal or treated mice (DES or EMP) gave no convincing evidence of suppressor cell activity in the population of spleen mononuclear cells.