No abstract

The influence of stress upon the endocrine system and its relationship to the immune system have been studied. The simulation of chronic cold stress in rats caused an increase in ACTH, corticosterone, and T, and T, levels. The different hormonal background in stressed animals affected the characteristics and the intensity of the immune response, which was traced in dynamics and through the action of to9 ovine erythrocytes.A strong suppression of B-lymphocytes and of PFC count was observed. Increased Fcy-RFC-suppressing activity was also determined. The PFC suppression changed simultaneously with the rate and dynamics of Fcy-RFC-suppressing activity in animals under stress.In control rats (immunized with ovine erythrocytes only), the antigen caused insignificant changes in corticosterone level, which was not typical for stress and was not accompanied by suppressing activity in the immune response.