Gender differences in immune competence during copper deficiency

Restriction of copper intake during lactation and postlactation periods reduced T cells and increased interleukin-2 receptors in isolated splenocytes from male, but not female, rats. However, a reduced in vitro proliferative response to phytohemagglutin (PHA) was seen in both male and female Cu-deficient rats. These findings suggest that Cu deficiency may inhibit proliferation at a step between early activation and DNA synthesis.