[Effect of some steroid hormones on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis].

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of some steroid hormones, particularly sex hormones, on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis "in vitro". 17 alpha-estradiol and 17 beta-estradiol were stimulatory for parasite growth, progesterone and testosterone were inhibiting, whereas cholesterol and ergosterol lacked such effects. Changes on the growth of T. vaginalis were observed in the first 20 hours of incubation with specific hormonal concentrations. These observations confirm the influence of sex hormones on the pathogenesis of trichomoniasis.