Actions of bovine somatotropin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes in cattle.

Objectives were to determine 1) in vitro effects of bST on function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes and 2) in vivo effects of bST on leukocyte function of heifers fed to maintain medium or high growth rates. When administered in vitro, bST did not affect function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. [Methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation by resting lymphocytes was stimulated by 1000 ng/ml bST. When given in vitro, bST did not further enhance [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake by mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes cultured at 38.5 degrees C but reduced the depression of mitogen-stimulated proliferation caused by incubating cells at 42 degrees C. When bST was administered in vivo, phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli by polymorphonuclear leukocytes from bST-treated heifers were not different from cells of control heifers. As measured by [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, lymphocytes from bST-treated heifers responded similarly to those of control heifers when incubated at 38.5 degrees C, but the depression in [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake due to culture at 42 degrees C was less for lymphocytes obtained from bST-treated heifers. In conclusion, bST had little effect on function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes but could promote proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro and protect cells from effects of elevated temperature.