Characterization of the Genital Microenvironment of Female Rhesus Macaques Prior to and After SIV Infection.
OBJECTIVE
HIV infection among women is frequently modeled in female rhesus macaques. Longitudinal studies on genital compartment and hormonal factors that can influence susceptibility to SIV infection are lacking in this animal model.


METHODS
Genital specimens and menstruation of indoor-housed female rhesus macaques were analyzed prior to and after SIV infection.


RESULTS
Median menstrual cycle length averaged 27 days, although highly variable cycle lengths and frequent periods of amenorrhea were observed during summer months. The vaginal microbiota, characterized by adapted Nugent scoring, showed predominance of small Gram-variable rods and Gram-positive cocci. Highly variable vaginal cytokine levels were observed pre- and post-SIV infection. Vaginal viral loads correlated with plasma viral loads, but were not associated with progesterone levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide an integrated characterization of important factors in the vaginal microenvironment that are relevant to the experimental design of HIV prevention and transmission studies in female rhesus macaques.
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Whitney A
WA
Nichols
Division of Animal Care, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Leslie
L
Birke
Division of Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, USA.
Jason
J
Dufour
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Nisha
N
Loganantharaj
Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Gregory J
GJ
Bagby
Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Steve
S
Nelson
Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Patricia E
PE
Molina
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Angela M
AM
Amedee
D000818:Animals; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D064307:Microbiota; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D019562:Viral Load
D016207:Cytokines; D011374:Progesterone
HIV; Heterosexual transmission; non-human primate model; vaginal