Effect of local infection and oral contraception on immunoglobulin levels in cervical mucus. 1975

E J Chipperfield, and B A Evans

The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were estimated in cervical mucus from 115 patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. The patients were divided into two groups; those using combined estrogen/progestogen oral contraceptives, and those with presumed normal ovulatory cycles. Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, candidosis, and herpes genitalis were diagnosed by conventional smear and culture techniques, and the two groups were subdivided according to these diagnoses. Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpetic, and nonspecific cervicitis all caused marked increases in the mean concentrations when compared with a control group of uninfected patients with natural cycles (P = less than 0.01). Patients with candidosis and contacts of men with nonspecific urethritis showed a lesser rise. IgG/IgA ratios lower than that of serum suggested a considerable locally produced contribution of IgA. Oral contraception with the combined pill also caused a significant increase in mean IgA and IgG levels even in the absence of local infection (P = less than 0.01). an increase in the IgG/IgA ratio of this group may indicate that the hormonal effect was manifest through increased serum transudation. IgM was also detected more commonly in patients taking the pill. The marked effect of local disease on immunoglobulin levels in cervical mucus which occurs even in asymptomatic patients emphasizes the importance of screening for infection when studying these secretions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007070 Immunoglobulin A Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions. IgA,IgA Antibody,IgA1,IgA2,Antibody, IgA
D007074 Immunoglobulin G The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B. Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007075 Immunoglobulin M A class of immunoglobulin bearing mu chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN MU-CHAINS). IgM can fix COMPLEMENT. The name comes from its high molecular weight and originally was called a macroglobulin. Gamma Globulin, 19S,IgM,IgM Antibody,IgM1,IgM2,19S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgM
D007136 Immunoglobulins Multi-subunit proteins which function in IMMUNITY. They are produced by B LYMPHOCYTES from the IMMUNOGLOBULIN GENES. They are comprised of two heavy (IMMUNOGLOBULIN HEAVY CHAINS) and two light chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) with additional ancillary polypeptide chains depending on their isoforms. The variety of isoforms include monomeric or polymeric forms, and transmembrane forms (B-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTORS) or secreted forms (ANTIBODIES). They are divided by the amino acid sequence of their heavy chains into five classes (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A; IMMUNOGLOBULIN D; IMMUNOGLOBULIN E; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; IMMUNOGLOBULIN M) and various subclasses. Globulins, Immune,Immune Globulin,Immune Globulins,Immunoglobulin,Globulin, Immune
D008598 Menstruation The periodic shedding of the ENDOMETRIUM and associated menstrual bleeding in the MENSTRUAL CYCLE of humans and primates. Menstruation is due to the decline in circulating PROGESTERONE, and occurs at the late LUTEAL PHASE when LUTEOLYSIS of the CORPUS LUTEUM takes place.
D002177 Candidiasis Infection with a fungus of the genus CANDIDA. It is usually a superficial infection of the moist areas of the body and is generally caused by CANDIDA ALBICANS. (Dorland, 27th ed) Candida Infection,Moniliasis,Candida Infections,Candidiases,Infection, Candida,Moniliases
D002579 Uterine Cervical Erosion Loss or destruction of the epithelial lining of the UTERINE CERVIX. Cervix Erosion,Uterine Cervix Erosion,Cervical Erosion, Uterine,Cervix Erosion, Uterine,Erosion, Cervix,Erosion, Uterine Cervical,Erosion, Uterine Cervix
D002582 Cervix Mucus A slightly alkaline secretion of the endocervical glands. The consistency and amount are dependent on the physiological hormone changes in the menstrual cycle. It contains the glycoprotein mucin, amino acids, sugar, enzymes, and electrolytes, with a water content up to 90%. The mucus is a useful protection against the ascent of bacteria and sperm into the uterus. (From Dictionary of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1988) Fern Test,Palm-Leaf Reaction,Cervical Mucus,Fern Tests,Mucus, Cervical,Mucus, Cervix,Palm Leaf Reaction,Palm-Leaf Reactions,Reaction, Palm-Leaf,Reactions, Palm-Leaf,Test, Fern,Tests, Fern
D003278 Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Oral contraceptives which owe their effectiveness to hormonal preparations. Hormonal Oral Contraceptive,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agent,Contraceptive Agents, Estrogen,Contraceptive Agents, Oral, Hormonal,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agents,Oral Contraceptive Agents, Hormonal,Oral Contraceptives, Hormonal,Contraceptive, Hormonal Oral,Contraceptives, Hormonal Oral,Estrogen Contraceptive Agents,Hormonal Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Hormonal
D005260 Female Females

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