Potential effects of midcycle cervical mucus on mediators of immune reactivity

Objective: To examine the effect of cervical mucus (CM) on immune mediators in cervicovaginal lavage fluid. Design: The stability of cytokines and immunoglobulins (Ig) within cervicovaginal lavage fluid was determined during 18-hour contact with unsolubilized midcycle CM in vitro. Setting: In vitro experiment. Patient(s): Healthy female volunteers from whom cervicovaginal lavage fluid and periovulatory CM were obtained. Intervention(s): Changes in cytokine and Ig concentration in cervicovaginal lavage fluid after incubation with Chi. Main Outcome Measure(s): Interleukin (IL)-4, IgA, and IgG concentrations were determined by ELISA. Interleukin-2 concentration was determined by bioassay using the IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte cell line and ELISA. Results were expressed as percent antibody or cytokine recovery remaining after mucus contact,with differences over time evaluated by analysis of variance. Result(s): During 18-hour mucus contact, significant changes were detected for IL-4, IgA, and IgG concentration. Interleukin-2 was stable in mucus-associated cervicovaginal lavage fluid as determined by functional bioassay and ELISA. Conclusion(s): Immunoglobulins and cytokines differ in their recovery from aqueous media after CM contact, suggesting that midcycle CM could alter immune reactivity within the reproductive tract by modifying the availability or Function of immunomodulatory substances.