Lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of pregnant sows.

Abstract

Theophylline-sensitive, theophylline-resistant and theophylline-dependent populations of peripheral blood lymphocytes in pregnant sows were defined. Theophylline-sensitive lymphocytes were cautiously considered as helper and theophylline-resistant lymphocytes seemed to represent the population of suppressor cells. During the first two months of pregnancy the number of helpers increased, while decrease of suppressor cells during the second and third month of gestation was observed. Increase of population of helper T-cells was accompanied by increase of absolute number of B-lymphocytes. Rapid decrease of B-cells after farrowing accompanied the decline of suppressor population. The changes in percentage and in absolute number of these populations of immune cells do not indicate the general immunosuppression during pregnancy in sows.