The effect of hydrocortisone on the sheep red cell response in adult Xenopus laevis, the South African clawed toad

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Abstract
The effect of hydrocortisone on the anti‐erythrocyte (SRBC) response of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, was studied. Hydrocortisone was administered two days prior to antigen injection and was found to reduce the eight‐day antigen‐binding response of sensitized spleen cells to 17% of its normal peak value. Control animals received injections of the vehicle solution the hormone is normally suspended in. Hemagglutination assays were also performed to ascertain whether the hydrocortisone treatment merely altered the ability of the spleen cells to bind antigen or suppressed their ability to produce antibody. Serum antibody titers were found to be depressed to 9% of the peak value by hydrocortisone treatment. Both thymus and spleen cells from the sensitized, hydrocortisone‐treated and control adult Xenopus were tested by immunocytoadherence. Unimmunized animals were also used to establish background levels. It was found that while the antigen‐binding response by immunized spleen cells was greatly decreased by hydrocortisone, thymocytes were particularly effected as their antigen‐binding capacities were reduced to background levels. It was concluded that these data support the view that the toad immune system is comparable to the mammalian with regard to hydrocortisone sensitivity of the anti‐red cell response.