Summary Functions of porcine polymorphonuclear neutrophils are evaluated with in vitro test systems. Results are compared with those from human PMN and the relevance for in vivo conditions is discussed. Ethanol was inhibitory to all porcine PMN functions investigated here. Influex, a combination product, containing extracts of Echinacea, Aconitum, Apis and Lachesis stimulated adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis, but inhibited chemiluminescence. These results suggest an effect of the product in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Zusammenfassung Granulozytenfunktionen beim Schwein: Messung und Beeinflussung Verschiedene Funktionen neutrophiler Granulozyten des Schweines werden mit Hilfe von in vitro‐Systemen gemessen und die Ergebnisse mit entsprechenden Werten verglichen, die für menschliche Neutrophile beschrieben sind. Die Aussagekraft der erhaltenen Ergebnisse für in vivo‐Verhältnisse wird diskutiert. Alle hier beschriebenen Granulozytenfunktionen wurden durch Alkohol gehemmt. Influex, ein Kombinationspräparat, das Extrakte aus Echinacea, Aconitum, Apis und Lachesis enthält, stimulierte Adhärenz, Chemotaxis und Phagozytose, hemmte jedoch die Chemolumineszenz. Die Ergebnisse lassen einen Einfluß des Präparates auf die Bildung von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies vermuten.

A light-and a fluorescence-microscopic method for quantitative assessment of yeast cell incorporation in phagocytes were developed. The light-microscopic method offers methylene blue prestained yeast cells as phagocytosis particles and counterstains nonincorporated yeasts with eosine. The fluorescence-microscopic method works by acridine orange staining of phagocytosis assays. Fluorescence of nonincorporated yeast cells is suppressed by addition of methylene blue. Different ways of evaluating the results of microscopic quantitation of phagocytosis are discussed.

A simple two step procedure for the isolation of caprine, ovine, bovine, equine, canine, porcine and human peripheral blood granulocytes is described. After enrichment of granulocytes by centrifugation, contaminating erythrocytes are lysed hypotonically. Recovery, purity, and viability of the granulocyte suspensions are determined. FACScan analysis of the cell suspensions measuring cellular size by forward and sideward light scatter is compared with the corresponding analysis of whole blood leukocytes. Constituencies of the isolated cell suspensions and loss of granulocyte subpopulations through isolation procedure is discussed with regard to granulocyte function assays.

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