Effect of age and hormonal state on cytokine synthesis in the monkey

The authors studied plasma cytokine activity using cross reactive polyclonal antibodies to human cytokines in young and old female monkeys to determine if age had any effect on cytokine secretion, and compared hormonal effects as well. While interleukin 1 (IL-1) was not higher in aged cycling monkeys, it was after menopause. Menopause depressed IL-2 activity also. Variable results were seen with the other cytokines.