title: Development of lymphocyte blastogenic response in the neonatal period of foals.
abstract: The blastogenic response of lymphocytes and serum concentration of cortisol from eighteen foals were evaluated during various stages of the neonatal period. The results of blastogenic responses were expressed by a stimulation index (SI). Blastogenic response to three mitogens was lowest at birth (PHA: 1.17 +/- 0.02, Con A: 1.11 +/- 0.05 and PWM: 1.02 +/- 0.01), then increased gradually with slight variations postpartum. The serum concentration of cortisol was highest at birth (44.0 ng/ml) and decreased rapidly to 19.3 ng/ml within 1 week postpartum, and then was maintained at this level. The high serum concentration of cortisol at birth may be associated with decreased blastogenic response of lymphocytes in foals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagahata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone