Leucocyte invasion of the vaginal epithelium in the absence of bacteria in mice

Summary Influx of leucocytes in the vagina at metoestrus occurs in germfree mice and also in sterile isotransplants of vaginal tissue in conventional mice. In contrast to the situation in rats, bacteria thus do not seem to be required for the production of postovulatory leucotactic stimuli in the vagina.Acknowledgments. Data with germfree mice could be obtained through the generous cooperation of Prof. Dr F. Wensinck and Dr M. P. Hazenberg (Dept. Medical Microbiology, Erasmus University), C. Lekkerkerker and J. ten Veen (TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands). The skillfull cooperation of Miss P. D. M. van der Vaart and Mrs A. Verschoor-Burggraaf is gratefully acknowledged.