Biomaterial Database

Immunoglobulins in human cervico-vaginal secretions. 1977

R Jalanti, and H Isliker

The concentration of IgG, IgA and IgM has been measured in the cervico-vaginal secretions of 8 women with a normal menstrual cycle, 52 pregnant women, 6 post-menopausal women and 12 women with total hysterectomy. No significant difference in immunoglobulin levels was found in the cervico-vaginal secretions of women with a normal cycle as compared to those of post-menopausal or pregnant women. A significant decrease of the IgG/IgA ratio was noticed during ovulation as a consequence of increased IgA secretion. In patients with hysterectomy, the secretions are of vaginal origin only and contain negligible quantities of IgA. Secretory IgA is found essentially in the superior genital tract. IgM is present in trace amounts in all secretions and does not vary considerably. The secretion of immunoglobulins may be under hormonal control: in addition to ovarian hormones, corticosteroids seem also to be involved. The local application of a fluorinated corticosteroid into the vagina has produced a significant decrease of secretory IgA production. The therapeutic possibilities of administering a fluorinated corticosteroid in cases of sterility which are due to the production of anti-spermatozoal antibodies are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007044	Hysterectomy	Excision of the uterus.	Hysterectomies
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
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
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
D007246	Infertility	A reduced or absent capacity to reproduce.	Sterility,Reproductive Sterility,Sterility, Reproductive,Sub-Fertility,Subfertility
D008297	Male		Males
D008593	Menopause	The last menstrual period. Permanent cessation of menses (MENSTRUATION) is usually defined after 6 to 12 months of AMENORRHEA in a woman over 45 years of age. In the United States, menopause generally occurs in women between 48 and 55 years of age.	Change of Life, Female
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.
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age