Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A variation between female varsity athletes and nonathletes. 2020

Carlye Chaney, and Elizabeth A Quinn
Department of Anthropology, Yale University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.

Exercise can lead to changes in immune function. To further investigate this relationship, we examined possible differences in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion rates among female college athletes and nonathlete students. We predicted that athletes would have higher sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes and show greater declines in sIgA during the study period as intensive exercise training continued. We recruited 52 female participants aged 18-22 years (13 swimmers, 20 runners, and 19 nonathletes). We collected two saliva samples from each participant: baseline and a second sample 2 weeks later. Additionally, participants reported minutes of cardiovascular activity performed per week and completed a survey that included a modified Profile of Mood States and the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire. We found no significant differences in mean salivary sIgA secretion rates between athletes and nonathletes. Salivary sIgA significantly increased between sample collections for both groups, with nonathletes exhibiting a greater increase in sIgA than athletes. Cardiovascular activity was not associated with sIgA secretion rates. Illness status was a significant positive predictor of sIgA secretion rates. Cardiovascular activity did not predict salivary sIgA secretion rates in this sample of female college students, and athletes did not show significantly different sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes. Together, these findings suggest that exercise may not be associated with altered immune function in well-nourished college-aged women. The increase in secretion rates among both athletes and nonathletes suggests that additional factors shared by both groups may have led to increases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007071 Immunoglobulin A, Secretory The principle immunoglobulin in exocrine secretions such as milk, respiratory and intestinal mucin, saliva and tears. The complete molecule (around 400 kD) is composed of two four-chain units of IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, one SECRETORY COMPONENT and one J chain (IMMUNOGLOBULIN J-CHAINS). Colostral IgA,IgA, Exocrine,IgA, Secretory,SIgA,Secretory IgA,Secretory Immunoglobulin A,Exocrine IgA,IgA, Colostral
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D012420 Running An activity in which the body is propelled by moving the legs rapidly. Running is performed at a moderate to rapid pace and should be differentiated from JOGGING, which is performed at a much slower pace. Runnings
D012463 Saliva The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SALIVARY GLANDS and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains MUCINS, water, organic salts, and ptylin. Salivas
D013550 Swimming An activity in which the body is propelled through water by specific movement of the arms and/or the legs. Swimming as propulsion through water by the movement of limbs, tail, or fins of animals is often studied as a form of PHYSICAL EXERTION or endurance.
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D056352 Athletes Individuals who have developed skills, physical stamina and strength or participants in SPORTS or other physical activities. College Athletes,Elite Athletes,Professional Athletes,Athlete,Athlete, College,Athlete, Elite,Athlete, Professional,Athletes, College,Athletes, Elite,Athletes, Professional,College Athlete,Elite Athlete,Professional Athlete

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