The in vitro effects of estradiol and cortisol on the function of a long-term goldfish macrophage cell line.

We examined the in vitro effects of estradiol and cortisol on the inflammatory function of a macrophage cell line. A dose-dependent inhibition of chemotaxis (0.5 and 0.1 microM, for estradiol and cortisol, respectively) and phagocytosis (1.0 microM for both steroids) were observed after treatment. Estradiol did not affect the nitric oxide production by the macrophage cell line, while cortisol strongly inhibited in vitro nitric oxide production. The steroids did not affect the ability of the macrophages to mount a respiratory burst response as measured by the NBT reduction assay.