Effect of estradiol and progesterone on the secretory immune system in the female genital tract.
The female genital tract is a part of the secretory immune system that functions to keep the body free from disease by working against bacterial invasion. In response to estradiol, the essential component in this system, IgA, accumulates in uterine secretions of ovariectomized rats. Evidence is presented that estradiol has an effect on at least three parameters of the uterine IgA response by increasing: 1) the amount of IgA and the infiltration of IgA-positive lymphocytes into the uterine endometrium and myometrium; 2) the movement of IgA from the tissue into the uterine lumen, and 3) the amount of secretory tissue component present in the uteri of proestrus, and ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol. These studies indicate that estradiol plays an important role in regulating the uterine immune system. Further, it suggests that estradiol may control lymphocyte migration into the uterus as well as IgA transport into the uterine lumen.
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000032:analysis*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012635:Secretory Component; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol