Induction of Decidua-Placental Hemorrhage in Mice by the Endotoxins of Certain Gram-Negative Bacteria

Abstract

Summary

Endotoxin-containing extracts of Shigella paradysenterie Flexner, Salmonella typhimurium, and Rhodospirillum rubrum when injected intraperitoneally into mice pregnant from 12 to 18 days induce decidua-placental hemorrhage which results either in abortion or resorption of the embryos.

It is pointed out that such decidua-placental hemorrhage induced by the endo-toxins of gram-negative bacteria may fall into the same class of physiological action as hemorrhage induced in implanted tumors following administration of endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria.