EFFECTS OF GNRH ANTAGONIST ON LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LYMPHOID-TISSUES OF FEMALE MICE

PROBLEM: GnRH analogs are playing an increasing role in the treatment of many clinical disorders. Recent studies have indicated that GnRH ag onists suppress immune function in mice in vivo. The present study inv estigated the effects of GnRH antagonist on functional lymphocyte subs ets of mice in vivo. METHOD: Three- and 10-wk old female mice received 10 mu g of Nal-Glu daily for 15 and 30 days; changes in the immunophe notypic expression of lymphocytes from thymus, bone marrow, spleen and blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The administration of GnRH antagonist to pre- and postpubertal female mice induced slight i ncreases in lymphocyte subpopulations in primary and secondary lymphoi d tissues. These effects are opposite those obtained with GnRH agonist in our earlier studies in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming similar effects in humans and rodents, the gonadal steroid suppression achieved by Gn RH antagonist treatment has no apparent suppressive effects on the imm une system.