The Neutral Vaginal pH in Mice That Is Typical of Most Mammalian Species Should Not Deter Research Using Experimental Murine Models of Candida Vaginitis

Abstract

For over three decades, investigators have used estrogen-dependent rodent animal models to study pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or test promising antifungal drugs. One disparity not well publicized is that rodents maintain near neutral vaginal pH, which is in contrast to the acidic vaginal pH in women.