Influence of menstrual cycle variations on natural killer cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to cells infected with herpes simplex virus.

Natural killer cytotoxicity (NKC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) represent the ability of human leukocytes to destroy target cells. Those systems have been shown to influence herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Prostaglandins are known to inhibit these nonspecific immunologic defenses. Since prostaglandin production varies with the menstrual cycle, this study was undertaken to test for variations in cytotoxic activity against HSV-infected cells during the proliferative, secretory and menstrual phases in 13 normal volunteers. NKC and ADCC activity was not statistically different between the three menstrual phases when testing was done for both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells from donor sera. This study suggested that NKC and ADCC cannot be used to explain anecdotal experiences suggesting menstrual variations as a triggering mechanism for HSV recurrences.