HORMONAL AND NERVOUS REGULATION OF AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILIAN IMMUNITY

The recent interest in numerous bilateral communications between the i mmune and neuroendocrine systems has established a rapidly expanding f ield of immunoendocrinology. Neurotransmitters and hormones appear to control cells of the immune system and, likewise, lymphokines and mono kines modulate the function of the neuroendocrine system. Although the se interactions are not fully defined, it is already possible to disti nguish some neuroendocrine-immune interrelationships in amphibians and reptiles. Season-related changes and interactions between the immune system with glucocorticoid, gonadal, thyroid, and nervous systems are reviewed.