Influence of Ovophospholipids on Lymphocyte Subsets and Humoral Immune Response in Mice

Designed hen eggs enriched in DHA and EPA are an alternative source of essential phospholipids. This study assessed the effects of ovophospholipids on lymphocyte subsets in non-immunized mice and on the humoral immune response in sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-immunized mice. Ovophospholipids were administered orally for 14 days (once a day) at doses of 100, 10, and 1 mg/kg. Ovophospholipids increased the total lymphocyte count of in the lymphoid organs. At 10 and 1 mg/kg, ovophospholipids increased the subsets of CD4−CD8− and CD4+CD8+ thymocytes but decreased the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. A stimulating effect on splenocytes was particularly evident 24 h after administration of the 10 and 1 mg/kg doses. Ovophospholipids also elevated the absolute counts of CD3+ and CD19+ splenocytes. An increase in the absolute count of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes of the mesenteric lymph nodes was observed 24 h after administration of the lowest dose. The increase in the percentage and absolute count of CD19+ cells and in the absolute count of CD3+ cells was still observed after 72 h. At all doses, ovophospholipids elevated the number of plaque-forming cells on day 4 and increased 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant antibody titer on day 7 after priming. In conclusion, ovophospholipids can modulate the immune response in mice.