The in vitro Action of Mammalian Sex Hormones on Staphylococcus aureus

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Abstract
The growth of S. aureus CHP is inhibit-ed by 5 µg/ml diethylstilbestrol but not by high con-centrations of progesterone, testosterone, or estradiol. On the other hand, pretreatment of S. aureus cells with testosterone or progesterone, but not with estra-diol or diethylstilbestrol, accelerates their subsequent lysis by lysozyme or trypsin. The structural basis for these actions can be seen in the electron micrographs, which show the cell walls weakened and distorted by testosterone and progesterone. Diethylstilbestrol, which blocks nafcillin-enhanced lysis, must inhibit cell growth through some as yet un-revealed intracellular mechanism.

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