Studies on the differentiation pattern and hormonal sensitivity of an antigenic material specific for the cervicovaginal epithelium in fetal and neonatal mice.

By use of an indirect mixed haemagglutination method for tissue sections, the Müllerian cervicovaginal epithelium of fetal and neonatal mice has been shown to contain a material (CVA) with antigenic properties specific for this epithelium. The method is highly sensitive and permits a semiquantitative estimation of CVA in the epithelium. The studies showed that the cervicovaginal epithelium undergoes a multiphasic differentiation pattern. An estradiol injection 1 day prior to killing the animals strongly increased the amount of demonstrable CVA. The quantitative response to estradiol varied with the age of the animals. Notably, estradiol given as early as the day of birth stimulated CVA accumulation in the vaginal epithelium. Differences between the cervical epithelium and the vaginal epithelium regarding the response to estradiol are described.