Lv. Rao et al., GNRH AGONIST INDUCES SUPPRESSION OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN SECONDARY LYMPHOID-TISSUES OF PREPUBERTAL FEMALE MICE, American journal of reproductive immunology [1989], 30(1), 1993, pp. 15-25
PROBLEM: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are playing an
increasing role in the medical management of a variety of diseases. R
ecent evidence also indicates GnRH immune system interactions. METHOD:
The present study investigated the sequential changes in lymphocyte s
ubpopulations in secondary lymphoid tissues of prepubertal female mice
in vivo following Lupron depot administration. A direct two-color imm
unofluorescence staining followed by flow cytometric analysis was empl
oyed. RESULTS: Following agonist administration, white blood cell coun
ts decreased significantly with decreases in both granulocyte and lymp
hocyte counts. Blood T-cell and B-cell subsets were also reduced altho
ugh B cells decreased more markedly. In the spleen, B cells were again
reduced more than T cells. There was no selective loss of either CD4
or CD8 subpopulations at any time point, in both spleen and blood. The
re were no differences in the percentage of lymph node subsets except
that B cells decreased in the second week. CONCLUSIONS: These data ind
icate that GnRH agonist alters specific lymphocyte subpopulations and,
therefore, have the potential for affecting immune system function in
vivo.