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The Anovulation in Female Mice Resulting from Postnatal Injections of Estrogen is Correlated with Altered Levels of CD8 + Lymphocytes
Author(s) -
Deshpande Rohini R.,
Chapman John C.,
Michael Sandra D.
Publication year - 1997
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/j.1600-0897.1997.tb00285.x
Subject(s) - cd8 , anovulation , medicine , endocrinology , lymphocyte , splenocyte , estrogen , t lymphocyte , biology , andrology , immune system , immunology , spleen , insulin resistance , polycystic ovary , insulin
PROBLEM: Injections of estradiol‐17β (E 2 ) are known to both induce anovulation and alter lymphocyte maturation in female mice. The current study examined whether the two events are related. METHOD OF STUDY: Female (C3H/HeJ × 129J)F 1 (C31) mice were injected with 20 μg of E 2 from 0–3 days, or from 3–6 days, postpartum. At 8, 12, 20, 32, or 40 weeks of age, the animals were killed, T lymphocytes were characterized, and ovaries were histologically examined for the presence of corpora lutea. RESULTS: Animals injected with E 2 from 0–3 days postpartum had percentages of CD8 + thymocytes and CD8 + splenocytes that were always lower than in noninjected females, and the E 2 ‐injected animals never ovulated, even by 40 weeks of age. In contrast, animals injected with E 2 from 3–6 days of age had percentages of CD8 + thymocytes and CD8 + splenocytes that, although initially lower than in control females, attained control values by 32 weeks of age. In addition, at 32 weeks of age a number of the 3–6‐day E 2 ‐injected females ovulated, whereas at earlier ages none had. Further, injections of E 2 had little effect on the percentages of CD4 + thymocytes and splenocytes in these animals. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that E 2 ‐induced anovulation in C31 female mice is correlated with decreased levels of CD8 + lymphocytes, and an increased CD4 + /CD8 + lymphocyte ratio.