Fig. 6.

Corticosterone (B) and 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone (5αTHB) decreased macrophage infiltration in sponges but only B reduced collagen content. Representative microscopic images (magnification 100x) of sections of sponges stained for (a) the macrophage marker F4/80 or for (b) collagen with Picrosirius red and containing either vehicle (V), B (3 mg) or 5αTHB (3 and 15 mg) as indicated. Black arrows in (a) point to cells expressing F4/80; the blue arrow in the inset (1000x) identifies the nucleus of a cell negative for F4/80. Quantification of (c) cells positive for F4/80 and (d) collagen content in sponges containing either V, B or 5αTHB; numbers on the x axis refer to the amount (mg) of steroids in each sponge. Data (mean ± SEM) were analysed with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test; n = 8–12 mice/group; p ⩽ 0.05, # = vs V, ^* = B vs 5αTHB.