Abstract
The influence of low ambient temperature on the immune response was studied in mice following a single injection of sheep red cells.
In the whole immunological course, mice acclimatized to 8°C for 3 weeks produced as many splenic plaque forming cells and hemagglutinating and hemolytic activities as mice kept at 25°C. However, transfer of mice from 25°C to 8°C just after immunization caused a marked delay in immune response; the serum antibody levels were depressed in the initial phase of the immune response but increased in the productive phase. Transfer from 8°C to 25°C just after immunization temporarily elevated the serum antibody levels in the initial phase and shortened the latent period of immune response.
Temperature shift from 25°C to 8°C or from 8°C to 25°C on one day before immunization resulted in a corresponding decrease or increase mainly in 19S antibody activity on day 4. The results indicate that sudden temperature change may bring about profound effect in the induction of the immune response.
