[The dynamics of the bacterial associations in the vaginal mucus of female Syrian hamsters during the sexual cycle].

Abstract

Autofluctuations in the numbers of bacteria, leukocytes and epithelial cells were observed in the vaginal secretion of Syrian female hamsters. The amplitude of fluctuations depended both on individual features of females and on environmental factors like light conditions. It was suggested that vaginal bacteria perform functions of a stimulator for local immunity to protect against infections and play a sanitary role to eliminate epithelial cells and remains of spermatozoids. A case is possible that products of the bacterium vital activity contribute also to the formation of female sex pheromone.