title: Salivary immunoglobulin A response to a collegiate rugby game.
abstract: Transient fluctuations in immune function after heavy exercise have been linked to an increased incidence of infection in athletes. Several parameters of immunity, including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), are affected by heavy exercise in the laboratory setting. However, few observations have been made during true competition. We tested the hypothesis that salivary IgA levels will be decreased after a collegiate rugby game. Saliva samples obtained from 16 men's college rugby players before and after an 80-minute regulation rugby game were analyzed for total volume, IgA, total protein content, and osmolality. Salivary IgA was expressed relative to secretion rate (s-IgA), osmolality (IgA-Osm), and total protein (IgA-Pro). No significant pregame-postgame changes in salivary IgA were observed (s-IgA: -13%, IgA-Osm: -16%, IgA-Pro: +10%). These data indicate that strenuous physical activity, such as a competitive rugby game, does not affect IgA levels. More study on the immune response to athletic competition is needed.
authors.affiliation: Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri 63501, USA. akoch@truman.edu
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Amanda D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Wherry
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Jane C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Melissa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory