PROLACTIN AND PERITONEAL MACROPHAGE FUNCTION IN STREPTOPELIA-RISORIA - EFFECT OF IMMUNIZATION

The aim of this study was to determine whether exogenous prolactin cou ld affect both function and oxidative metabolism of macrophages isolat ed from the peritoneum of sexually mature male and female ring doves. Macrophages were obtained from birds at the time zero and at 1 h, 24h and 4 days following a single intraperitoneal injection of either 0.1 mi of saline or bovine serum albumin (80 mg/kg body weight). In a seco nd experiment birds received a daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 I.U, ovine prolactin for six days. Within the first hour after the las t prolactin injection, the birds received the saline or bovine serum i njection as above.. Macrophage functionality was assessed by substrate adherence capacity (adherence to a smooth plastic surface), phagocyto sis of inert particles (latex beads), and oxidative metabolism product ion measured by the percentage of stimulation of NET reduction after l atex bead ingestion). The results indicated that: l.-Macrophage adhere nce was enhanced after bovine serum albumin administration as compared to controls (saline) showing greatest values in those animals previou sly treated with prolactin. 2.-The presence of prolactin increases the stimulation of latex bead phagocytosis induced by BSA after 4 days. 3 .- No changes in NET reduction were observed after treatment with prol actin, whilst the injection of bovine serum albumin produced a marked increase compared with saline.