Regulation by sex hormones of immunoglobulins in rat uterine and vaginal secretions.

1. Uterine and vaginal IgA and IgG levels are under estradiol control and vary independently of serum levels. Estradiol regulation does not require the presence of an intact hypothalamo-pituitary axis. 2) The stimulatory effects of estradiol on IgA and IgG in the uterus and the inhibitory effects observed in the vagina depend on both dose and duration of treatment. 3) The changes in IgA and IgG levels in the genital tract of castrate animals following the administration of estradiol are consistent with those that take place spontaneously during the estrous cycle.