Influence of 17[beta]-oestradiol, nortestosterone and dexamethasone on the adaptive immune response in veal calves

In veal calf production androgens, estrogens and glucocorticoids are used to stimulate growth. However, sexhormones and glucocorticoids also influence the function of the immune system. From studies in humans and mice, androgens are known as immunosuppressive, while estrogens stimulate the productio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in veterinary science 2008-04, Vol.84 (2), p.199
Main Authors: Eisenberg, S.W.F, Cacciatore, G, Klarenbeek, S, Bergwerff, A.A, Koets, A.P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autoimmune diseases
Disease
Experiments
Females
Immune system
Interferon
Lupus
Reproductive system
Vaccines
Veterinary medicine
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Summary:In veal calf production androgens, estrogens and glucocorticoids are used to stimulate growth. However, sexhormones and glucocorticoids also influence the function of the immune system. From studies in humans and mice, androgens are known as immunosuppressive, while estrogens stimulate the production of antibodies and glucocorticoids also enhance the T-helper 2 response. To investigate whether the adaptive immune system is influenced by hormone administration, calves were treated with a hormone cocktail containing androgens, estrogens and glucocorticoids and vaccinated against Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis . The activity of the adaptive immune system was measured by using an antigen specific elispot assay (ES), lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) and an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the hormone treatment did not lead to significant differences in the function of the adaptive immune system between the hormone treated and the not hormone treated group while growth was stimulated in the hormone treated group.
ISSN:0034-5288
1532-2661
DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.04.017