Abstract
The phagocytic-biochemical capacity of normal cord blood monocytes was measured and compared to that of normal adult monocytes. Mononuclear cells were obtained by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient separation and the percent of monocytes established by latex particle ingestion with Nowarski optics. The functional capacity of monocytes was evaluated by quantitative spectro-photometrical measurement of the reduction of NBT dye stimulated by latex particle ingestion.No difference was found in percent monocytes ingesting latex and number of particles ingested per monocyte in cord and adult monocytes. Reduction of NBT by cord and adult monocytes was comparable both in the resting and phagocytizing stages. There was no correlation between NBT reduction and contaminating numbers of platelets or polymorphonuclears (PMN) in the samples.Our results reveal that cord monocytes do not differ from adult monocytes in ability to ingest latex particles and reduce NBT, which is consistent with their normal bactericidal capacity. However, when compared to PMN, monocytes are weaker NBT reducers, and cord monocytes do not reveal the increased resting NBT reduction observed in cord PMN.
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