title: Effect of cortisol in vitro and in vivo on production of bovine interleukin 2.
abstract: The influence of cortisol in vitro and in vivo on lymphocyte proliferative responses and interleukin 2 (IL2) production was evaluated in Hereford feeder calves. Cortisol, added to bovine mononuclear cell cultures, reduced (P less than 0.05) mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferative responses and IL2 production. Lower IL2 activity from cortisol-treated cell cultures was not caused by a cortisol-mediated cytotoxicity or a residual cortisol effect on the IL2-indicator cell line. Calves given ACTH (1.0 IU/kg of body weight, IM) twice daily for 2 days had increased (P less than 0.001) plasma cortisol concentrations when compared with those of saline-treated controls. Leukocytosis (P less than 0.002), characterized mainly by a neutrophilia (P less than 0.007), was evident in ACTH-treated calves. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen were decreased (P less than 0.05) in calves with increased plasma cortisol concentrations. Interleukin 2 production was lower (P less than 0.05) in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocyte cultures from ACTH-treated calves. Seemingly, lower lymphocyte proliferative responses in cortisol-treated mononuclear cell cultures and in ACTH-treated calves were caused partly by lower IL2 production.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D006854:Hydrocortisone