Influence of Estrous Cycle and Estradiol on Mitogenic Responses of Splenic T- And B- Lymphocytes

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Abstract
Reproductive tract tissues are known to undergo continuous cycles of cell proliferation, differentiation, and shedding. These events are precisely regulated by sex hormones during the normal menstrual cycle.1 In earlier studies, we demonstrated that IgA- positive cells enter uterine tissues of ovariectomized rats in response to estradiol.2 When uteri from saline- or estradiol-treated rats were analyzed, estradiol treatment increased the movement of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes into uterine tissues2,3. The recognition that sex hormones influence lymphoid-cell movement to selected mucosal surfaces, directly affect B-lymphocyte responses to mitogens4, inhibit T-suppressor cells5,6, influence the maturation T lymphocytes7,8, and alter macrophage function9, provides overwhelming evidence that sex hormones are involved at the cellular level in immune regulation.