  Density dependent parametrization models of the nucleon-meson effective
couplings, including the isovector scalar \delta-field, are applied to
asymmetric nuclear matter. The nuclear equation of state and the neutron star
properties are studied in an effective Lagrangian density approach, using the
relativistic mean field hadron theory. It is known that the introduction of a
\delta-meson in the constant coupling scheme leads to an increase of the
symmetry energy at high density and so to larger neutron star masses, in a pure
nucleon-lepton scheme. We use here a more microscopic density dependent model
of the nucleon-meson couplings to study the properties of neutron star matter
and to re-examine the \delta-field effects in asymmetric nuclear matter. Our
calculations show that, due to the increase of the effective \delta coupling at
high density, with density dependent couplings the neutron star masses in fact
can be even reduced.
