Lipopolysaccharide induces alterations in ovaries and serum level of progesterone and 17β-estradiol in the mouse

Our objective was to investigate the effect of gram-negative bacterial infection on the ovaries and serum level of P-4 and 17 beta-E-2 during the preimplantation days of pregnancy in the mouse. We found that lipopolysaccharide alters the serum level of P-4 and E-2 during the preimplantation days of pregnancy and elevates the E-2/P-4 ratio, which may keep the uterus nonreceptive during the preimplantation days of pregnancy and also not prepare the developing blastocysts for implantation in the mouse. A large infiltration of macrophages in the corpora lutea and appearance of graafian follicles from day 3.5 of pregnancy because of lipopolysaccharide treatment, which reflect a gram-negative bacterial infection, may be responsible for ovarian dysfunction and altered P-4 and E-2 level in serum. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011;95:1471-4. (C)2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)