Short-term toxicity studies of O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile on humoral immunity in mice

The effect of O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) on the immune system was studied in mice given 8 and 16 mg/kg body weight i.p. of the compound, daily for 10 days. The humoral immune response to SRBC was suppressed at both doses, as determined by the antibody producing cells in the spleen. To find out whether the immunosuppression observed was due to the indirect effect of CS on the nutritional status and endocrine balance, serum proteins and corticosterone levels were measured. While the serum proteins did not alter, corticosterone levels rose significantly only in mice receiving higher dose of CS.