Social Behavior, Prolactin and the Immune Response
Abstract
The goal of the project was to develop a nonhuman primate model for studying the effects of social stress on immune system function. In this pilot project, stress was defined as activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis. Particular interest was in seeking correlations between social variables, immune function indicants, and serum levels of prolactin as a presumptive immunofacilitory hormone. Mitogen responses to a physical stressor (footshock) were used for assay development and as a base for examining social stress effects. Social stress was manipulated by changing the composition of the social stress effects. Social stress was manipulated by changing the composition of the social groups. Complex effects relating mitogen responses to social variables were found, with social manipulations producing suppression of PBL proliferation followed by a rebound in some situations; facilitation in others, depending upon the situation and the type of individual involved. Evidence indicated that increased social status associated with increased PBL response. Report includes descriptions of comparisons of thymidine and colorimetric assay techniques for responses to mitogen stimulation. (jes)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA224055
Entities
People
- B. N. Bunnell
- W. B. Iturrian
Organizations
- University of Georgia