concanavalin-a and Puerperal-Disorders

Mitogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes in naturally occurring clinical puerperal metritis and mastitis were investigated. Glucose consumption index (GCI) values for phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the puerperal metritic cows and mastitic cows were significantly lower than those in the healthy cows. Suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis was correlated to an increased concentration of serum ammonia in the puerperal metritic cows, and of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AG) in the mastitic cows. Lymphocyte blastogenesis in the mastitic cows was also correlated to the serum concentration of vitamin E. These findings indicate that the puerperal metritic and mastitic cows are associated with impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis.

Topics: Ammonia; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cholesterol; Concanavalin A; Female; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Glycolysis; Hydrocortisone; Ketone Bodies; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Mastitis, Bovine; Orosomucoid; Phytohemagglutinins; Pokeweed Mitogens; Puerperal Disorders; Reference Values; Uterine Diseases; Vitamin E

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A)-induced blastogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined in heat-stressed pre- and postpartal sheep. The peak responses of lymphocytes to PHA and Con A in heat-stressed sheep revealed significant reduction before and after parturition compared with those in the corresponding control animals kept under thermoneutral conditions. Furthermore, the effect of serum from control or heat-stressed sheep on PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis was examined. Supplementation of serum from heat-stressed sheep significantly suppressed the blastogenesis of lymphocytes obtained from healthy sheep, bovine, and human donors. Unlike dexamethasone, heat-stressed sheep serum did not inhibit IL-2 production by PHA-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These results indicate that the immunosuppression of heat-stressed sheep is in part mediated by serum factor(s) that can modulate T-cell function in a species nonspecific manner.

Topics: Animals; Concanavalin A; Dexamethasone; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Interleukin-2; Lymphocyte Activation; Phytohemagglutinins; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Puerperal Disorders; Sheep; Species Specificity; Stress, Physiological; T-Lymphocytes