| dc.description.abstract | Behaviorally conditioned immunosuppression o-f a primary humoral immune
response was investigated in both the sexes of five selectively bred lines
of rats. In the experimental group, an illness-induced taste aversion was
produced by pairing sucrose (CS) and cyclophosphamide (US), an
immunosuppressant that induces gastrointestinal distress. A nonconditioned
group received water as the CS and cyclophosphamide (CY) as the US while a
placebo group received sucrose as the CS and isotonic saline as the US.
Three days following the CS-US pairing, the animals received an injection of
sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). A hemagglutinating antibody titer was used to
assess the humoral antibody response (CR) six days later. Overall, there was
evidence of behaviorally conditioned immunosuppression. Taste aversion was
present 24 hours following conditioning in the MR/Har/Lu (p<.01), MNR/Har/Lu
(p<.05), SHS (p<.01) and RLA/Lu (p<.01) lines with persistant extinction in
MNR/Har/Lu animals and the appearance of taste aversion in the RHA/Lu
(p<.05) animals 48 hours following conditioning. Results are discussed on
behavioral and biochemical levels with a conclusion emphasising the
importance of research in behavioral immunology and calling for greater
attention to the field. | |
