Globular structure of human ovulatory cervical mucus. 2007

Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
Dipartimento di Scienze Ginecologiche, Perinatologia e Puericultura, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Italy.

Human cervical mucus is a heterogeneous mixture of mucin glycoproteins whose relative concentration changes during the ovulatory phases, thereby producing different mucus aggregation structures that can periodically permit the transit of spermatozoa for fertilization. In preovulatory phase, mucus is arranged in compact fiber-like structures where sperm transit is hindered. Previously, through observations made of fixed and dehydrated samples, a permissive structure in the ovulatory phase was attributed to the larger diameters of pores in the mucus network. Instead, by means of atomic force microscopy, we can show, for the first time, that unfixed ovulatory mucus is composed by floating globules of mucin aggregates. This finding sheds new light on the mechanism that governs spermatozoa transit toward the uterine cavity. In addition, we demonstrate that the switch from globular ovulatory to fibrous preovulatory mucus largely depends on a pH-driven mechanism. Analysis of mucin 5B primary sequence, the main mucin in ovulatory mucus, highlights pH-sensitive domains that are associated to flexible regions prone to drive aggregation. We suggest an involvement of these domains in the fiber-to-globule switch in cervical mucus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008597 Menstrual Cycle The period from onset of one menstrual bleeding (MENSTRUATION) to the next in an ovulating woman or female primate. The menstrual cycle is regulated by endocrine interactions of the HYPOTHALAMUS; the PITUITARY GLAND; the ovaries; and the genital tract. The menstrual cycle is divided by OVULATION into two phases. Based on the endocrine status of the OVARY, there is a FOLLICULAR PHASE and a LUTEAL PHASE. Based on the response in the ENDOMETRIUM, the menstrual cycle is divided into a proliferative and a secretory phase. Endometrial Cycle,Ovarian Cycle,Cycle, Endometrial,Cycle, Menstrual,Cycle, Ovarian,Cycles, Endometrial,Cycles, Menstrual,Cycles, Ovarian,Endometrial Cycles,Menstrual Cycles,Ovarian Cycles
D009077 Mucins High molecular weight mucoproteins that protect the surface of EPITHELIAL CELLS by providing a barrier to particulate matter and microorganisms. Membrane-anchored mucins may have additional roles concerned with protein interactions at the cell surface. Mucin
D010060 Ovulation The discharge of an OVUM from a rupturing follicle in the OVARY. Ovulations
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
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D055257 Mucin-5B A gel-forming mucin that is predominantly expressed by submucosal glands of airway tissues and the SUBLINGUAL GLAND. It is one of the principal components of high molecular weight salivary mucin. High Molecular Weight Salivary Mucin MG1,Mucin-5 Subtype B, Tracheobronchial,Mucin 5 Subtype B, Tracheobronchial,Mucin 5B
D057927 Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions The thermodynamic interaction between a substance and WATER. Hydrophilic Interactions,Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions,Hydrophilicity,Hydrophobic Interactions,Hydrophobicity,Hydrophilic Interaction,Hydrophilicities,Hydrophobic Interaction,Hydrophobicities,Interaction, Hydrophilic,Interaction, Hydrophobic,Interactions, Hydrophilic,Interactions, Hydrophobic

Related Publications

Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
May 1996, Contraception, fertilite, sexualite (1992),
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
November 2010, Journal of reproductive immunology,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
January 1977, Fertility and sterility,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
January 1968, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
January 1987, Acta Europaea fertilitatis,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
May 1989, Human reproduction (Oxford, England),
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
August 1978, Fertility and sterility,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
July 1988, Human reproduction (Oxford, England),
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
January 2000, Steroids,
Roberto Brunelli, and Massimiliano Papi, and Giuseppe Arcovito, and Adriano Bompiani, and Massimo Castagnola, and Tiziana Parasassi, and Beatrice Sampaolese, and Federica Vincenzoni, and Marco De Spirito
January 1998, Akusherstvo i ginekologiia,
Copied contents to your clipboard!