| Abstract: | Changes in the adhesion of Candida cells to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity were studied in vitro in experiments with epithelial cells from 12 normal women at various stages of the menstrual cycle. Fungal cells more actively adhered to the epithelial cells obtained at the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle than to those obtained at its luteal phase. At the follicular phase, both the average level of adhesion and the population of epithelial cells with most pronounced adhesive properties increased. The range of variations in adhesion levels was different in individual subjects and varied from 8% to 37% of the individual mean of the whole cycle. The results of this study indicate the existence of the hormonal control of the adhesion of Candida cells to human epithelial cells. |
