Female genital tract, which includes oviduct, uterus, and vagina, is critical for female reproduction. In recent years, animal experiments using knockout mice and genetic studies on patients with female genital malformations have contributed substantially to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in the female genital tract development. Here we review genes that are involved in various stages of female genital tract formation and development.
Animals ; Female ; Genitalia, Female ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Uterus ; Vagina

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) in the vaginal smooth muscle of ovariectomized female rats and to investigate the effects of estrogen on the expressions of HO-1 and HO-2 in the vaginal smooth muscle.

METHODSTwenty-four 8-week old female SD rats were equally randomized into Group A (2-week castrated) , B (4-week castrated), C (2-week sham operation) and D (4-week sham operation). The levels of plasma estradiol were measured by radio-immunoassay for all the rats and the expressions of HO-1 and HO-2 in the vaginal muscle were detected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe postoperative level of plasma estradiol was significantly lower in Groups A and B than in C and D (P < 0.05). And the expressions of HO-1 and HO-2 in the vaginal smooth muscle were significantly decreased in the first two groups as compared with the latter two.

CONCLUSIONHO-1 and HO-2 are expressed in the vaginal smooth muscle of the female rats, and their decreased expressions are correlated with the lowered level of plasma estradiol. Estrogen may play a physiological role in the vaginal smooth muscle via HO/CO.

Animals ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vagina ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate distribution specificity of human fucosyltransferase 5 (FUT5) as well as its expression and localization in spermatids. METHODS: Human semen, vaginal swab, saliva and venous blood from healthy individuals were collected. The spermatids were isolated and the spermatid membrane protein was then extracted. Expression levels of FUT5 from human spermatid membrane, seminal plasma, vaginal fluid, saliva and serum were detected by immunoblotting technique. The expression and localization of FUT5 in spermatids were analyzed by immunofluorescent method. RESULTS: Immunoblotting technique showed that FUT5 was expressed on spermatid membranes and in serum, but not in seminal plasma, vaginal fluid and saliva. The expressed FUT5 on spermatids was mostly localized on head of spermatids by fluorescent microscopy, suggesting that there was certain amount of FUT5 on human spermatid membrane, and the spermatids might be isolated from mixed stains with vaginal fluid by antigen-antibody reaction. CONCLUSION Human FUT5 shows a characteristic distribution specificity, and this feature may be used for identification of mixed stain involved in criminal sexual offence in future forensic practice.
Cell Membrane/metabolism* ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique/methods* ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Fucosyltransferases/metabolism* ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Male ; Saliva/metabolism* ; Semen/metabolism* ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Vagina/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the tumor-associated antigen CA125 expression in the serum and cervical and vaginal secretions in women during normal reproductive period, and explore the clinical value of detecting tumor markers in the cervical and vaginal secretions.

METHODSA total of 145 women in reproductive period were divided into 3 age groups (20-29 years, 30-39 years, and over 40 years), and their CA125 levels in cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum were detected by automatic electro-chemiluminescent immunoassay.

RESULTSCA125 levels in the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum showed no significant difference between the 3 age groups (P>0.05). In each group, CA125 levels differed significantly between the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum (P<0.001). In the 145 women, the average CA125 level was 497.82 - or + 75.29 U/ml in the cervical secretion, 114.66 - or + 26.40 U/ml in vaginal secretion and 18.06 - or + 3.35 U/ml in serum, showing significant differences between them (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONCA125 expression level is significantly higher in the cervical and vaginal secretions than in the serum in women in normal reproductive period, and its levels in cervical and vaginal secretions can be more sensitive and convenient for early detection of related diseases.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; metabolism ; Cervix Mucus ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Vagina ; secretion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Jieze No. 1 Gel (JZ1) on the inner environment of vagina through observing its influences on vaginal levels of lactobacillus, glycogen and lactoferrin in mice.

METHODSOne hundred female Kunming mice were randomized into 5 groups, the blank control (BC) group, the blank gel (BG) group, and the three JZ1 treated groups. They were treated via vagina with saline, matrix gel, high (2 mg/microL), middle (1 mg/microL) and low (0.5 mg/microL) dose JZ1 respectively in volume of 20 microL, 72 h after being subcutaneously injected with physiological estradiol benzoate (E2) 2 microg. The 24 h and 72 h living lactobacillus in vaginal lavage fluid cultures were counted, the content of glycogen and the expression of lactoferrin in vaginal tissue were measured.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found between the BC group and the three JZ1 treated groups in terms of lactobacillus-CFU, glycogen content and lactoferrin expression, and these indices detected at 24 h were not different to those detected at 72 h in the groups treated with various doses of JZ1 respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOnce application of JZ1 shows no effect on levels of lactobacillus, glycogen, and lactoferrin expression in the vagina of mice.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gels ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Lactoferrin ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Vagina ; drug effects ; metabolism ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the expressions of ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channel (Cav1.3) in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of castrated rats and investigate the correlation of RyR1 and Cav1.3 with estrogen in female sexual dysfunction.

METHODSForty female SD rats of 8 weeks were randomly divided into Groups A (2-week sham operation), B (4-week sham operation), C (2-week castration) and D (4-week castration). Two and 4 weeks after surgery, the serum estradiol level was determined with the automated immunochemiluminescence system and the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 in the vaginal smooth muscle were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Gray scale ratio was used to represent the mRNA expression levels of RyR1 and Car1.3, and the optical density value to denote their protein expression levels.

RESULTSSerum estradiol was significantly decreased in Group C ([0.210 +/- 0.026] nmol/L) as compared with A ([0.505 +/- 0.053] nmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was it in Group D ([0.130 +/- 0.031] nmol/L) in comparison with B ([0.476 +/- 0.058] nmol/L) (P < 0.01). RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in all groups. The mRNA expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly reduced in Group C (0. 680 +/- 0.073 and 0.580 +/- 0.043) as compared with A (0.950 +/- 0.064 and 0.870 +/- 0.019) (P < 0.01), as well as in Group D (0.220 +/- 0.032 and 0.190 +/- 0.020) in comparison with B (0.890 +/- 0.072 and 0.820 +/- 0.021) (P < 0.01). The protein expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly down-regulated in Group C (96.67 +/- 7.75 and 87.97 +/- 6.96) as compared with A (123.69 +/- 10.66 and 106.46 +/- 8.04) (P < 0.01), and so were they in D (86.45 +/- 8.16 and 69.43 +/- 8.30) in comparison with B (109.31 +/- 9.87 and 97.38 +/- 7.56) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of the rats, and estrogen might be involved in the regulation of female sexual reaction by acting on the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Vagina ; cytology

BACKGROUNDVulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by Candida albicans. The vaginal epithelium, as the first site of the initial stage of infection by pathogens, plays an important role in resisting genital tract infections. Moreover, lactobacilli are predominant members of the vaginal microbiota that help to maintain a normal vaginal microenvironment. Therefore, Lactobacillus crispatus was explored for its capacity to intervene in the immune response of vaginal epithelial cells VK2/E6E7 to C. albicans.

METHODSWe examined the interleukin-2 (IL-2), 4, 6, 8, and 17 produced by VK2/E6E7 cells infected with C. albicans and treated with L. crispatus in vitro. The capacity of L. crispatus to adhere to VK2/E6E7 and inhibit C. albicans growth was also tested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and adhesion experiments.

RESULTSCompared with group VK2/E6E7 with C. albicans, when treated with L. crispatus, the adhesion of C. albicans to VK2/E6E7 cells decreased significantly by 52.87 ± 1.22%, 47.03 ± 1.35%, and 42.20 ± 1.55% under competition, exclusion, and displacement conditions, respectively. SEM revealed that the invasion of C. albicans into VK2/E6E7 cells was caused by induced endocytosis and active penetration. L. crispatus could effectively protect the cells from the virulence of hyphae and spores of C. albicans and enhance the local immune function of the VK2/E6E7 cells. The concentrations of IL-2, 6, and 17 were upregulated significantly (P < 0.01) and that of IL-8 were downregulated significantly (P < 0.01) in infected VK2/E6E7 cells treated with L. crispatus. The concentration of IL-4 was similar to that of the group VK2/E6E7 with C. albicans (24.10 ± 0.97 vs. 23.12 ± 0.76 pg/ml, P = 0.221).

CONCLUSIONSL. crispatus can attenuate the virulence of C. albicans, modulate the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, and enhance the immune response of VK2/E6E7 cells in vitro. The vaginal mucosa has a potential function in the local immune responses against pathogens that can be promoted by L. crispatus.

Candida albicans ; pathogenicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lactobacillus crispatus ; physiology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Vagina ; cytology

Phytoestrogen is a group of phytochemicals called phenolic compounds. Phytoestrogen may be functionally or structurally related to estrogens, resulting in agonistic and antagonistic activity depending upon the tissues. Phytoestrogen may provide desirable health benefits to reduce the menopausal symptoms and to prevent or treat chronic diseases in postmenopausal women. Phytoestrogen has the modest effect to reduce the vasomotor symptoms and to prevent the postmenopausal bone loss. Some beneficial effects on prevention of coronary heart disease may be also experienced through the favorable changes in lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and vascular functions. Phytoestrogen may have some roles in prevention of the breast, colon, other various cancers. Preliminary clinical data showed positive effects on postmenopausal cognitive decline and body compositional changes but no effect on vagina and endometrium. Because the efficacy and long-term safety has yet to be established, more evidence-based results are required through rigorous placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials before specific clinical recommendations.
Breast ; Chronic Disease ; Colon ; Coronary Disease ; Endometrium ; Estrogens ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Phenol ; Phytochemicals ; Phytoestrogens* ; Vagina

We selected and characterized isolates of Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) for potential preventing infections of the female reproductive tract. We cultured vaginal swabs from healthy volunteers on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar and identified the isolates at the species level by 16S rRNA sequence and genotyped the isolates of Lactobacillus by PCR amplification of repetitive bacterial DNA elements (rep-PCR). Furthermore, 10 L. crispatus strains were assessed for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acid production. Overall 65 isolates were confirmed to be Lactobacillus by sequence analogy, among them 19 were L. crispatus, 17 were Lactobacillus jensenii and 12 were Lactobacillus fermentum. rep-PCR produced specie and strain-specific genomic fingerprints for the Lactobacillus isolates. The selected 10 L. crispatus isolates produced highly acidic environment after growth in MRS. The isolates T22-3 and T29-5 demonstrated high production of H2O2. This study indicated that there are individual differences with vaginal Lactobacillus colonization, and strain diversity within vaginal L. crispatus isolates, T22-3 and T29-5 might be candidates for restoring urogenital health environment in females.
Adult ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; Interspersed Repetitive Sequences ; Lactobacillus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Vagina ; microbiology

To study preliminarily the effect of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin in promoting cervical ripening of full-term pregnancy women who were in the deficiency of qi and blood type through the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 180 patients that met the inclusion criteria of the study were randomly divided into three groups: the control group(oxytocin group), the treatment group (Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin group), the blank control group (expected and observation group). Cervical maturity score (Bishop score), vaginal and cervical secretions fetal fibronectin (FFN), the result of induced labor, the result of mother and baby were observed in each group before and after treatment. The result comes out that the cervical Bishop score of pregnant women for treatment group were significantly higher than the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The FFN of pregnant women for the treatment group were significantly different from the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome of the three groups: the labor rate and rate of vaginal delivery of the treatment group were higher than the other two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cesarean section rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the other two groups, the difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The three groups did not appear the phenomenon of neonatal asphyxia. Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin is effective in producing cervical ripening and induce labor. It is convenient, safe and reliable, for it is no obvious adverse effects on mother and fetus, but effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section, and playing a positive role in promoting natural delivery.
Adult ; Cervical Ripening ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fibronectins ; secretion ; Humans ; Labor, Induced ; Oxytocin ; administration & dosage ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Qi ; Vagina ; drug effects ; secretion ; Young Adult