Effects of Various Doses of Estradiol on Chlamydial Genital Infection in Ovariectomized Guinea Pigs

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases 1985-01, Vol.12 (1), p.8-13
• Main Authors: PASLEY, JAMES N., RANK, ROGER G., HOUGH, AUBREY J., COHEN, CYNTHIA, BARRON, ALMEN L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Castration; Cervix Uteri - pathology; Conjunctivitis, Inclusion - drug therapy; Conjunctivitis, Inclusion - immunology; Conjunctivitis, Inclusion - pathology; Estradiol - administration & dosage; Estradiol - therapeutic use; Female; Genital Diseases, Female - drug therapy; Genital Diseases, Female - immunology; Genital Diseases, Female - pathology; Guinea Pigs; Immunoglobulin A - immunology; Medical sciences; Organ Size; Original Articles; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Time Factors; Urinary system; Uterus - drug effects; Uterus - pathology
• ISSN: 0148-5717; 1537-4521
• DOI: 10.1097/00007435-198501000-00003

The effect of various doses of estradiol on genital tract infection by the chlamydial agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) was investigated in ovariectomized guinea pigs. Prolongation of infection, as determined by chlamydial inclusion counts of cells in Giemsa-stained smears of vaginal scrapings, was observed in animals receiving daily doses of 1.0, 10.0, 100.0, or 1000 µg of estradiol. In contrast to controls, ascending infection resulting in endometritis was found in animals receiving doses of ⩾1.0 µg of estradiol per day. Response to estradiol treatment was reflected in an increase in cervical-uterine wet weight and uterine wall thickness. No differences were observed in time of appearance of antibody titers to GPIC in serum, but a delay in appearance of IgA antibody to GPIC in genital secretions was found in estradiol-treated animals receiving doses of ⩾1.0 µg per day.