Stimulation of antibody synthesis induced by surgical trauma in rats

The effect of a standard laparatomy on antibody synthesis was studied in Wistar R/A rats recieving an intravenous injection of 10(9) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) during the surgical procedure. Anti-SRBC antibody titres were significantly higher in operated animals than in controls. When SRBC were given 2 hr after the surgical procedure, stimulation of antibody synthesis still persisted, but when the antigen was administered 24 hr after laparotomy, no significant difference could be detected between the operated animals and controls. Surgery also enhances the secondary humoral response.