Hormone Therapy Alters the Composition of the Vaginal Microflora in Ovariectomized Rats |
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Authors: | E Bezirtzoglou Ch Voidarou A Papadaki A Tsiotsias O Kotsovolou M Konstandi |
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Institution: | (1) Present address: Faculty of Agricultural Development, Department of Food, Science and Technology, Laboratory of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Hygiene, Democritus University of Thrace, Orestiada, 68200, Greece;(2) Present address: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, 451 10, Greece |
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Abstract: | The aim of the present study was to evaluate the alterations that may take place in the bacterial genital tract flora in the
absence of ovarian hormones. The role of hormone replacement therapy was also assessed. For this purpose, various bacteria
were identified from the vaginal flora of ovariectomized and sham operated female rats, following the Bergey’s manual criteria.
The data of this study showed that substantial differences exist in the vaginal bacterial microflora between ovariectomized
and normal cyclic rats. Ovariectomy was associated with a lower total bacterial load that may be due mainly to the absence
of Lactobacillus. Anaerobic bacteria were also absent. Streptococcus and Enterococcus were also not favored in an environment lacking the ovarian hormones. In contrast, C. perfringens, Bacteroides, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus were detected in high numbers in ovariectomized rats. In terms of the impact of hormone replacement therapy on vaginal flora,
only estradiol (EE2) restored Lactobacillus levels in ovariectomized rats, whereas all hormonal schemes used brought Streptococcus, Clostridium lec (−), and C. perfringens, the spore and vegetative forms, close to those detected in normal cyclic female rats. In conclusion, ovarian hormones appeared
to be regulatory factors that favor the presence of a broad variety of bacteria, which are members of the normal genital tract
flora. On the other hand, ovariectomy modifies the vaginal microbial profile, and hormone replacement therapy based mainly
on schemes containing EE2 could alleviate this disturbance. |
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