Gender differences in immune competence during copper deficiency.
Restriction of copper intake during lactation and postlactation periods reduced T cells and increased interleukin-2 receptors in isolated splenocytes from male, but not female, rats. However, a reduced in vitro proliferative response to phytohemagglutin (PHA) was seen in both male and female Cu-deficient rats. These findings suggest that Cu deficiency may inhibit proliferation at a step between early activation and DNA synthesis.
D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003300:Copper