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Comparison of the Vaginal environment of Macaca mulatta and Macaca nemestrina Throughout the Menstrual Cycle
Author(s) -
Hadzic Sarah V.,
Wang Xiaolei,
Dufour Jason,
Doyle Lara,
Marx Preston A.,
Lackner Andrew A.,
Paulsen Daniel B.,
Veazey Ronald S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12201
Subject(s) - macaca nemestrina , luteal phase , menstrual cycle , follicular phase , epithelium , simian immunodeficiency virus , vagina , estrogen , physiology , biology , hormone , medicine , endocrinology , anatomy , macaque , virus , immunology , paleontology , genetics
Problem Pigtail macaques, M acaca nemestrina ( PT ), are more susceptible to vaginal transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus ( SIV ) and other sexually transmitted diseases ( STD ) than rhesus macaques ( RM ). However, comparative studies to explore the reasons for these differences are lacking. Method of Study Here, we compared differences in hormone levels and vaginal mucosal anatomy and thickness of RM and PT through different stages of the menstrual cycle. Concentrations of plasma estradiol ( E 2) and progesterone ( P 4) were determined weekly, and vaginal biopsies examined at days 0 and 14 of the menstrual cycle. Results Consistent changes in vaginal epithelial thickness occurred at different stages of the menstrual cycle. In both species, the vaginal epithelium was significantly thicker in the follicular than in luteal phase. Keratinized epithelium was strikingly much more prominent in RM , especially during the luteal phase. Further, the vaginal epithelium was significantly thinner, and the P 4: E 2 ratio was higher in PT during luteal phase than RM . Conclusions Striking anatomic differences in the vaginal epithelium between rhesus and pigtail macaques combined with differences in P 4: E 2 ratio support the hypothesis that thinning and less keratinization of the vaginal epithelium may be involved in the greater susceptibility of pigtail macaques to vaginal transmission of SIV or other STD .