ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Estradiol Limits Viral Replication Following Intravaginal Immunization Leading to Diminished Mucosal IgG Response and Non‐sterile Protection Against Genital Herpes Challenge

PROBLEM: Previously we reported that ovariectomized (OVX) mice receiving estradiol (E) prior to immunization with an attenuated strain of HSV-2 (TK-HSV-2) were not protected. Lack of protection in the E group was because of the inability of TK-HSV-2 to penetrate the thick keratinized epithelium. In this study, we determined the outcome of immunization after the thickening of vaginal epithelium following E-treatment waned. OVX, C57BL/6 mice were …