Phagocytic response in rats following chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine

Wistar rats were injected i.p. at 2, 4 and 7 days after birth with 6-OHDA (50 mg/kg). At maturity the phagocytic response of neutrophils was elicited by Escherichia coli (EC) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Before and at 3 and 24 hours after the injection of LPS (1 mg/kg i.v.) the leucocyte (L) and neutrophil (N) counts and the phagocytic activity of N in blood against EC have been tested. In controls (6 female and 7 male rats) the number of N increases significantly after 3 h. The L and N responses were similar in controls and in treated (SyX) animals. In controls the percentage of phagocytic active N(PA) and the number of bacteria incorporated by 100 n(IB) shows significant rises at 3 h. In the SyX groups (7 females and 7 males) PA does not increase; the IB decreases significantly in females at 3 and 24 h. In conclusion chemical sympathectomy depresses the PR to LPS in rats; this suggests a stimulatory action of the sympathetic system on the phagocytic immune reaction. An immunological sexual dimorphism exists.