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  • Title: IgG and IgA content of vaginal fluid during the menstrual cycle.
    Author: Usala SJ, Usala FO, Haciski R, Holt JA, Schumacher GF.
    Journal: J Reprod Med; 1989 Apr; 34(4):292-4. PubMed ID: 2715991.
    Abstract:
    Immunoglobulin levels in cervicovaginal secretions during the menstrual cycle have not been well characterized biochemically. We determined the IgG and IgA concentrations in vaginal fluid obtained by patient self-sampling with an Ovu-Trac aspirator. Vaginal fluid IgG levels were less than 1-270 mg/dL. On the average the levels of IgG were relatively high after menstruation, declined during the ovulatory phase and remained relatively low during most of the luteal phase. The IgA levels were less than 10 mg/dL, and many samples contained IgA at our assay's lower limits of detection (microradial immunodiffusion). The preovulatory and luteal phase levels of IgG and IgA in vaginal fluid were generally lower than those reported for cervical mucus, but the ovulatory phase IgG and IgA composition was comparable between vaginal fluid and cervical mucus. The IgG and IgA content of vaginal fluid obtained was determined by daily sampling with the Ovu-Trac vaginal pipet. In addition to vaginal fluid sample volume plots, serum luteinizing hormone and progesterone levels were obtained. IgG and IgA measurements in vaginal fluid throughout the menstrual cycle are reported. A total of 12 cycles from 12 women were studied. In all 12 cycles a significant luteinizing hormone peak was observed. The progesterone levels reached significantly high levels in the 12 cycles, indicating that ovulation presumably had occurred. A peak in vaginal fluid sample volume occurred typically near the luteinizing hormone peak. The IgG and IgA concentrations of the vaginal fluid samples from the 12 cycles were determined. The IgG levels were less than 1-270 mg/dL. There was much fluctuation in vaginal fluid IgG levels throughout the cycle, but a general pattern did emerge. Vaginal fluid IgG levels were relatively high in the postmenstrual/early proliferative phase, with a steady decline to relatively low levels throughout the luteal phase. There was no direct correspondence between the volume of vaginal fluid and the IgG concentration, as seen from a comparison of the average vaginal fluid IgG concentration with the average vaginal fluid sample volume. Vaginal fluid with a low sample volume in the early preovulatory phase had relatively high levels of IgG, whereas that with a low sample volume in the luteal phase had relatively low levels of IgG. IgA in vaginal fluid was present at levels 10-fold less than those of IgG. The IgA concentrations of many of the vaginal fluid samples were near the assay's lower limit of sensitivity, making it difficult to reach any conclusions about cyclic changes. The lowest vaginal fluid IgA concentrations were observed around the middle of the luteal phase.
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