Uptake of (3H)Corticosterone and the Immune Response in Growth-retarded Rats

Abstract

ExtractMaternal rats were underfed during pregnancy and lactation. At 7 days of age their offspring received one injection of sheep erythrocytes. The immune response (hemolytic plaque-forming cells in spleen and thymus) to this antigen showed a peak at 15 days of age in undernourished rats, 2 days later than in normal animals. However, the size of this response at its peak was, in the undernourished group, at least appropriate for body weight. Growth retardation during the fetal and suckling periods resulted also in an increased rate of uptake of 3 H-corticosterone into spleen and thymus in vivo. Speculation

Malnutrition and impaired immune response to infection

“…During the primary immune response in malnourished rats the direct plaque-forming cells (PFC) and rosette-forming cells (RFC) in the spleen, thymus and bone marrow were profoundly depressed. However, during the primary response the percentage reduction of RFC was far greater than that of the PFC, although in the secondary response the reverse occurred (McFarlane & Hamid, 1973). In malnourished animals the number of RFC in the spleen and thymus returned to normal, but did so significantly later than did PFC, indicating greater impairment of T-cell function than of B-cell (lymphocytes of bone-marrow origin) function in malnourished populations.…”

“…This conclusion is supported by observations in experimental animals. Growth-retarded, undernourished suckling rats had a long delay in the maturation of their specific antibody-producing cells as measured by total numbers of PFC (Adlard et al 1973). …”

“…When, therefore, these conditions occur during gestation their effects upon the immune response of the foetus are long-lasting or may even be permanent. Adlard, Hamid, Labedz & McFarlane (1973) have shown that growth retardation during foetal and suckling periods resulted in high rates of [3Hlcorticosterone uptake into spleen and thymus and depressed immune function. Nutritional thymic hypotrophy is reversible when the malnutrition occurs after I year of age.…”