title: Characterization of cytological changes, IgA, IgG and IL-8 levels and pH value in the vagina of prepubertal and sexually mature Ellegaard Göttingen minipigs during an estrous cycle.
abstract: The pig is increasingly used as an advanced animal model of the genital tract in women and knowledge on the genital immune system is therefore needed. In this study, evaluation of vaginal smears revealed that almost no neutrophils or other leukocytes were present in the vaginal mucosa of prepubertal minipigs (n = 10). In sexually mature minipigs (n = 10), evaluated through an estrous cycle, there was an increase in number of mucosal neutrophils and other leukocytes during estrus. The level of total IgA on the vaginal mucosa increased during diestrus. The level of total IgG showed no significant changes through the cycle. The vaginal IgA level in the prepubertal minipigs was similar to the low estrus level in sexually mature minipigs, and the IgG level in prepubertal was similar to the stable level in the sexually mature minipigs.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark; Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: emmalorenzen@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lorenzen
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: jager@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Jørgen Steen
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Agerholm
authors.affiliation: Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, Soroe Landevej 302, 4261 Dalmose, Denmark. Electronic address: abg@minipigs.dk.
authors.forename: Anette Blak
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: miki@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Anders Miki
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bojesen
authors.affiliation: CiToxLab Scantox, Hestehavevej 36A, 4623 Lille Skensved, Denmark. Electronic address: cse@dk.citoxlab.com.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skytte
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark; Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: k.erneholm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erneholm
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: frf@ssi.dk.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Follmann
authors.affiliation: Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: grju@vet.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Gregers
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jungersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016209:Interleukin-8
keywords: Cytology; IL-8; IgA; IgG; Minipig model; Vaginal immune response; pH