Oxfendazole treatment of non-parasitized lambs and its effect on the immune system.
Ten parasite-free lambs were drenched with oxfendazole on days 0 and 28 and, one day after each drench, were injected with human erythrocytes and ovalbumin. Ten other antigen-injected lambs were not drenched (controls). Lymphocytes collected 3 days after each antigen injection and cultured in RPMI 1640 plus 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) and lymphocytes collected 3 days after the first and 3 and 7 days after the second antigen injection and cultured in 50% autologous serum had decreased blastogenic activity compared with control lymphocytes. After the second drench, decreased blastogenesis was seen with lymphocytes collected on days 3 and 7 and cultured in 5% FCS and concanavalin A (Con A) and on day 3 when cultured in 5% FCS and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Decreased blastogenesis was also seen with lymphocytes collected 7 and 29 days after the second injection of antigen and cultured in 50% autologous serum plus Con A and on days 3, 7 and 29 when cultured in 50% autologous serum and PHA. Significantly depressed antibody responses to both antigens were seen after the second drench. The serum complement level was depressed 3 days after the second injection of antigen. Serum nitric oxide levels were significantly depressed 3 and 21 days after the first and 7 and 21 days after the second injection of antigen. There were no differences in levels of growth-promoting hormones but the drenched lambs gained significantly more weight than the controls.
Stankiewicz
M
M
AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
Cabaj
W
W
Jonas
W E
WE
Moore
L G
LG
Chie
W N
WN
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; C011030:oxfendazole