[Animal modeling] - Study on optimization scheme of animal model of ureaplasma urealyticum infection

  Objective: To explore the advantages and disadvantages of different modeling methods and select the most appropriate animal model of ureaplasma urealyticum infection.

  Methods: SPF BALB/c female mice and Wistar rats were selected to establish the animal model of ureaplasma urealyticum infection with the intervention measures of repeated infection with low dose of UU3 bacterial fluid, single infection with large dose of UU3 bacterial fluid, and pretreatment with estradiol benzoate. The cervical secretions of experimental animals were taken 14 days, 28 days, 42 days, and 56 days after the first inoculation for ureaplasma urealyticum culture, and the genitals were taken for morphological analysis.

  Results: ① Compared with Wistar rats, BALB/c mice had a worse general condition, with increased vaginal secretions and obvious ulceration of vulva, while Wistar rats had no significant changes in vulva. ② The vaginal UU colonization rate of rats in each group was statistically significant (P<0.05); The difference between low-dose estrogen group and low-dose non estrogen group was statistically significant (P<0.05); The difference between the high-dose estrogen group and the high-dose non estrogen group was statistically significant (P<0.05); The difference between the low-dose estrogen group and the high-dose estrogen group was statistically significant (P<0.05); The difference between the low-dose non estrogen group and the high-dose non estrogen group was statistically significant (P<0.05). The results of each group of mice were the same as those of rats. ③ With the same intervention measures, under the treatment of low dose estrogen, there was a statistically significant difference between rats and mice (P<0.05); Under the treatment of large dose estrogen, the difference between rats and mice was statistically significant (P<0.05), indicating that the vaginal UU colonization rate of mice was higher under the same treatment measures. ④ Macroscopic view: In the low dose estrogen group, some rats had edema in their reproductive tract tissues, while in the other groups, the reproductive tract tissues were soft and had good activity; The reproductive tract of mice in the blank group was soft and had good activity; In the low dose estrogen group, the reproductive tract tissue of mice was obviously congested, hydrosalpinx was thickened, stiff, and the elasticity was poor; The mice in high dose estrogen group were mainly loose and edematous; Low dose non estrogen group and high dose non estrogen group only saw slight congestion and edema of vagina and cervix. ⑤ Microscopic observation: there was no obvious pathological damage in the vaginal tissues of the intervention groups, and loose tissue edema was seen in some of the rats. The pathological damage of mice in low dose estrogen group was serious; The low dose non estrogen mice group and the high dose estrogen mice group had less congestion and edema, slightly expanded glands, and more inflammatory secretions.

  Conclusion: Compared with Wistar rats, BALB/c mice have obvious vulva injury; Estrogen pretreatment can increase the colonization rate of ureaplasma urealyticum in experimental animals; Low dose multiple infection can increase the UU rating rate more than high dose single infection; UU colonization rate in vagina of BALB/c mice was higher; The pathological damage of BALB/c mice is serious, which is more valuable for animal experimental research.