Testosterone induces lymphopenia in turtles.
Owing to the possible role of sex steroids in the immune-neuroendocrine interactions found in lower vertebrates, we attempted to delineate the effect of testosterone propionate on peripheral blood (PB) and the lymphoid organs of the turtle Mauremys caspica. A single intraperitoneal injection of 200 micrograms/g body weight produced thymic involution and intense lymphopenia in the spleen and, less severely, in the PB compartment. It is suggested that lymphocyte redistribution may occur among the various compartments of the body as the main effect of hormone-induced lymphocyte redistribution, although the mechanism in reptiles and mammals is not yet understood.
Saad
A H
AH
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt.
Torroba
M
M
Varas
A
A
Zapata
A
A
D000818:Animals; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000633:toxicity*; D014426:Turtles / Q000276:immunology
D013739:Testosterone