title: Effect of halothane anaesthesia on secondary antibody response and mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation in the chicken.
abstract: The effect of a single halothane anaesthesia on the secondary antibody response and the lymphocyte response in vitro to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A(Con A) was studied. The antigens used were bovine serum albumin (BSA) and killed Brucella abortus organisms (Brucella). IgG and IgM antibodies against these antigens were quantified by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Lymphocyte transformation was studied by a whole blood micromethod. The chickens were anaesthetised for two hours with 2% v/v halothane. The halothane concentration of the blood was measured by gas chromatography at the end of the anaesthesia. Halothane anaesthesia had no effect on the secondary antibody response against BSA and Brucella. In contrast, it caused a significant decrease in the lymphocyte response to PHA and Con A. This suppression was transient, however, and full recovery of the lymphocyte function was observed by the first day after anaesthesia.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature; D002645:Chickens; D003208:Concanavalin A; D006221:Halothane / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D037102:Lectins; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D037102:Lectins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D006221:Halothane