Kb. Singh et al., HORMONAL MODULATION OF THE VAGINAL BACTERIAL-FLORA IN EXPERIMENTAL POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE, Journal of clinical laboratory analysis, 10(5), 1996, pp. 233-238
Rats exposed to constant light develop polycystic ovarian (PCO) diseas
e with persistent estrus, representing an estrogen-dominant condition.
Herein, we report that fluctuations seen in the vaginal microflora in
cyclic rats were not observed in PCO rats with persistent estrus. The
vaginal-cervical mucosa of PCO rats showed numerous adherent bacteria
by scanning electron microscopy, similar to that seen in proestrus an
d estrus rats, but unlike the diestrus rats in which fewer organisms a
dhered to the mucosa. Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin i
nduced ovulation in PCO rats, which was associated with a significant
decrease in serum estradiol, an increase in progesterone, and a signif
icant decrease in the estradiol/progesterone ratio compared with basel
ine values (P < 0.01). This also resulted in an influx of leukocytes i
n the vagina with a significant decrease in vaginal anaerobic as well
as aerobic bacterial flora. These data demonstrate that loss of cyclic
ovarian activity in PCO rats with persistent estrus causes increased
bacterial colonization of the vaginal-cervical mucosa, and the ovarian
hormones appear to modulate the colonization of bacteria in the lower
genital tract. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.