Induction of feline acquired immune deficiency syndrome by feline leukemia virus: immuno- and neuroendocrine dysfunctions

Young cats, when chronically infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), developed feline acquired immune deficiency syndrome (FAIDS). The syndrome was associated with a sequence of dysfunctions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and the immune system, manifested in the reduction of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in blood plasma. The average FSH and LH (in plasma or lymphocyte), testosterone, and LHRH concentrations in the 20 FeLV-infected cats were measured by radioimmunoassay. The results were compared with those of the 12 control cats that were not FeLV-infected. Four weeks after infection, the plasma LHRH concentration in the infected cats showed a 43% reduction. Five to six weeks after infection, the content of FSH and LH in lymphocyte was reduced by 50% and 28%, respectively, whereas, the plasma FSH and LH was reduced by 52% and 42%, respectively. A significant reduction in testosterone content was detected at Week 11 of infection. The onset of the immuno- and neuroendocrine dysfunctions in FAIDs cats followed this sequence: hypothalamus, lymphocyte, pituitary, adrenal gland, and gonads. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed the presence of FeLV cytoplasmic antigens in the fibers of the hypothalamic preoptic region and the Leydig cells. The possible causal relationship between the dysfunction of the lymphocyte and HPG systems and the presence of FeLV was discussed.