Factors associated with fluctuations in IgA and IgG levels at the cervix during the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this analysis was to describe patterns and determinants of cervical immunoglobulin A (IgA) and G (IgG) levels during the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
A total of 154 women who attended 3 visits coinciding with the follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle were studied. Cervical secretions were collected at each visit for determination of total IgA and IgG levels. Questionnaires administered at each visit inquired about demographic characteristics and behavioral practices.


RESULTS
Total IgA and IgG levels were higher among oral contraceptive (OC) users than among naturally cycling women (hereafter, "non-OC users"). IgA and IgG levels decreased at midcycle, particularly among non-OC users. After adjustment for phase of the current cycle, specimen weight, and detection of blood in the sample, report of a recent illness was associated with lower IgA and IgG levels and increased age with higher IgA and IgG levels among OC users and non-OC users. Increased lifetime number of pregnancies was associated with a higher IgA level among non-OC users and a higher IgG level among OC users. Change in immunoglobulin levels between visits was associated with sample weight and the presence of blood for both OC users and non-OC users.


CONCLUSIONS
Phase of the current menstrual cycle and OC use were significant determinants of cervical IgA and IgG levels. The impacts of endogenous and exogenous hormones on cervical immunoglobulin levels should be further investigated.
Safaeian
Mahboobeh
M
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. safaeianm@mail.nih.gov
Falk
Roni T
RT
Rodriguez
Ana Cecilia
AC
Hildesheim
Allan
A
Kemp
Troy
T
Williams
Marcus
M
Morera
Lidiana
L
Barrantes
Manuel
M
Herrero
Rolando
R
Porras
Carolina
C
Pinto
Ligia
L
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G