Effects of steroid hormones and immunosuppressant drugs on defences against uterine microbial contamination in the rat.

ABSTRACT

This study used rats as a mammalian model to investigate the effects of steroid hormones and immunosuppressant drugs on uterine microflora. It was shown that prednisolone acetate predisposed to uterine contamination unlike oestradiol, ciclosporin and cyclophosphamide. It therefore appears that the leucocyte component of the immune system does not normally play a role in preventing bacterial colonization of the uterus and that prednisolone is producing its effect via some other mechanism, possibly an effect on cervical mucus.