ABSTRACT
The repercussion on the immune response of the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor agent was investigated in rats. Ninety-day-old animals were divided into three groups: the control group (only immunological measurements were performed), the foot-shock (FS) (animals individually receiving FS), and the intraspecific aggressive response (IAR) group (animals receiving FS and presenting IAR). For immunological measurements, blood samples were collected promptly at 7 and 15 days after FS or IAR. The FS reduced the total leukocyte amount presented. However, aggressiveness triggered not only reduction of the leukocytes, but also lymphocyte decrease and neutrophil increase. Moreover, an elevation in total leukocytes associated with an increase in the humoral immune response was also observed one week after IAR. In this study, the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor seemed to activate the immune system and to potentiate the antigen specific humoral response.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Electroshock/psychology , Immune System/immunology , Stress, Physiological/immunology , Animals , Leukocyte Count , Male , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
A repercussão sobre a resposta imune da expressão da agressividade intra-específica diante de um estressor foi investigada em ratos. Aos 90 dias de vida, os animais foram divididos em três grupos: grupo-controle (foram realizadas apenas mensurações imunológicas), choque nas patas (FS) (os animais receberam FS individualmente) e grupo resposta agressiva intra-específica (IAR) (os animais receberam FS e apresentaram IAR). Para as medições imunológicas, amostras de sangue foram coletadas imediatamente, 7 e 15 dias após FS ou IAR. O FS reduziu a quantidade total de leucócitos. Contudo, a agressividade foi acompanhada, além da redução do número de leucócitos, por diminuição de linfócitos e aumento de neutrófilos. Além disso, também foi observada elevação no número de leucócitos associada a aumento na resposta imune humoral uma semana após as IAR. Neste estudo, a expressão da agressividade intra-específica diante de um estressor parece ativar o sistema imune e potencializar a resposta humoral antígeno específica.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Aggression , Behavior, Animal , Electroshock/adverse effects , Immune System/immunology , Stress, Physiological , Leukocyte Count , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Malnutrition effect during the suckling period on aggressive behavior was investigated in adult rats treated and not treated with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Sixty-four Wistar male rats were allocated in two groups, according to their mothers' diet during lactation. The well-nourished group was fed by mothers receiving a 23% protein diet; the malnourished one by mothers receiving a 8% protein diet. Following weaning, all rats received the 23% protein diet. On the 90th day after birth, each nutritional group was divided into two subgroups, one receiving a single daily injection of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and the other of a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) for 14 days. Treatment with Fluoxetine reduced aggressive response in well-nourished but not in malnourished rats. These findings suggest that the serotoninergic system was affected by malnutrition during the critical period of brain development, and persisted even after a long period of nutritional recovery.