Effects of dexamethasone on leukocyte counts in pregnant sheep and fetal lambs

In adult nonpregnant animals and human beings, glucocorticosteroids increase circulating leukocytes (predominantly neutrophils) and decrease lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. We were interested in studying effects of glucocorticoids on leukocyte counts during pregnancy to determine any differences between responses in the nonpregnant and pregnant states. After general anesthesia was administered, we placed catheters in a carotid artery and a jugular vein in pregnant sheep and in fetal lambs. Six days after surgery, we administered dexamethasone intravenously to the mother (0.2 mg. per kilogram) or to the fetus (0.06 mg. per kilogram) and obtained maternal and fetal jugular venous blood samples immediately before (control) and 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after steroid injection. Administration of dexamethasone to the mother significantly increased total leukocyte and neutrophil counts (leukocytes per cubic millimeter blood) and decreased lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, but it did not change monocyte counts. Leukocyte counts returned to control values within 48 hours. Administration of dexamsthasone to the fetus rapidly increased total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, decreased monocyte and eosinophil counts, and had not effect on lymphocyte counts. Fetal leukocyte counts returned to control values by 24 hours after dexamethasone injection. Our results suggest that maternal and fetal leukocytes can respond to glucocorticoids as they do in the adult nonpregnant state.