Hormonal regulation of immunoglobulins and plasma cells in the mouse uterus

Abstract

Immunoperoxidase staining techniques were used to identify secreted immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA and the distribution of IgG- and IgA-producing cells in the uteri of mice during the oestrous 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 pro-oestrus 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 dioestrus, the stage of the oestrous cycle when plasma cells were present in the lowest numbers. After ovariectomy and hormone treatment, the highest numbers of uterine plasma cells were seen in mice injected with oestradiol 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. These results indicate that oestradiol plays a significant role in regulating uterine IgA and IgG and suggest that the increase in the numbers of plasma cells during the oestrous cycle is due to the action of oestradiol at the uterine level.