A STUDY OF THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF DIET ARY-PROTEIN LEVEL ON CELLULAR MEDIATED IMMUNE-REACTION IN THE LABORATORY BEAGLE DOG

This study was designed to determine the optimum dietary protein level likely to result in a better cellular mediated immune reaction in the laboratory Beagle dog. The authors summarise the influence of feeding on immune response. They then go on to describe the experimental prot ocol: where four dogs were given one of four diets (15, 25, 35 and 45 p. cent crude protein and about 3 700 kcal/kg dry matter) for three mo nths. During the experimental period peripheral blood lymphocyte react ivity was rested with tyro mitogens (PHA and ConA) using the lymphocyt e transformation rest. Statistical analysis revealed no significant di fference between the four protein levels. The results are discussed an d some ideas for future studies are proposed.