Hormonal regulation of immunoglobulins and plasma cells in the mouse uterus

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Abstract
Immunoperoxidase staining techniques were used to identify secreted IgG and IgA and the distribution of IgG- and IgA-producing cells in the uteri of mice during the estrous cycle or after ovariectomy followed by the administration of ovarian hormones. The most extensive staining for IgA and IgG in the myometrium and endometrium occurred during proestrus and plasma cells of both isotype were concentrated around the uterine glands and lumen in high numbers at this time. Staining for IgA and IgG was least prominent during diestrus, the stage of the estrous cycle when plasma cells were present in the lowest numbers. After ovariectomy and hormone treatment, the highest numbers of urine plasma cells were seen in mice injected with estradiol alone and the lowest in those injected with progesterone alone. In mice treated with both hormones the number of plasma cells was comparable to that seen in mice treated with progesterone alone. Estradiol apparently plays a significant role in regulating uterine IgA and IgG. The increase in the numbers of plasma cells during the estrous cycle evidently is due to the action of estradiol at the uterine level.

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