Leukocytic phagocytosis and random migration during the normal menstrual cycle

ABSTRACT

In this work we studied some functions of the leucocytes in normal menstruating females, and we tried to correlate the abnormalities that might be found with the normal hormonal changes that accompany menstrual cycle. Eighteen normal females came as volunteers. We studied random leucocytic migration with and without the addition of antigen, we also studied the leucocytic phagocytosis. Estrogen and progesterone were measured using radioisotopic kits,blood sugar was measured using enzymatic method. The leucocytic migration after addition of antigen was significantly lower in the follicular phase as compared with that in the luteal phase, these changes were strongly correlated with estrogen level and E/P ratio but not with the progesterone level. These changes in migration may explain the tendency of menstruating females with low estrogen and progesterone levels to toxic-shock syndrome, acne, gonorrhea and other infections