Effect of human sex hormones on cytomegalovirus growth and Fc receptor expression.

Pretreatment of human embryonic lung cells with estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone was found to have little effect on cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication in vitro. The three hormones in combination delayed the expression of CMV-induced Fc receptors in this cell line. However, similar effects on Fc receptor expression were observed at both first trimester and third trimester concentrations of the hormones. CMV grew well in a primary cell line derived from endometrial stromal cells. However, in this female genital line, as in the (male somatic) human embryonic lung cells, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone had little effect on CMV replication. CMV-induced Fc receptors could not be demonstrated in endometrial stromal cells. These results suggest that the variation in cervical CMV excretion during gestation is mediated by some mechanism other than a direct effect of sex hormones on viral replication or Fc receptor expression.