Mucus cervical

Estrogens stimulate cellular proliferation, induce RNA and protein synthesis of uterine endometrium and the fibrous connective tissue framework for ovaries, and increase the size of the cells. This effect leads to the growth and regeneration of the endometrial layer and spinal arterioles, and increase in the number and size of endometrial glands. Under the influence of estrogen, vaginal mucosa becomes thicker, as cervical mucus becomes thinner (85,86). 

Long-acting progestins act primarily as ovulation inhibitors. An important secondary component is their effect on the cervical mucus and endometrium, achieved at circulating blood dmg levels below those required for ovulation inhibition (40). 

As under most circumstances progesterone action will hold primacy over estrogenic effects, the cervical mucus, endometrium, and probably the fallopian tubes reflect progestational stimulation. The cervical mucus becomes thick and viscous and thus impervious to spermatozoa. The endometrium is in a state that is not receptive for implantation of a fertilized egg. Probably, the progestational impact on the secretory activity and peristalsis in the fallopian tubes also assists the general contraceptive effect. It is difficult, however, to assess the relative contribution of the various effects to the... 

Other actions of estrogen include fluid retention, protein anabolism, thinning of the cervical mucus, and the inhibition or facilitation of ovulation. Estrogens contribute to the conservation of calcium and phosphorus, the growth of pubic and axillary hair, and pigmentation of the breast nipples and genitals. Estrogens also stimulate contraction of the fallopian tubes (which promotes movement of the ovum), modify the physical and chemical properties of the cervical mucus, and restore the endometrium after menstruation. 

CF patients often experience delayed puberty. In females, menarche occurs 18 months later than average, and menstrual irregularity is common. Females also have reduced fertility due to increased viscosity of cervical mucus. Due to increasing life expectancy, pregnancy is becoming more common however, outcomes depend on pre-partum nutritional and pulmonary status. 

Although suppression of FSH and LH is the primary mechanism by which combined oral contraceptives prevent ovulation, there are other mechanisms by which these hormones work to prevent pregnancy. Other mechanisms include reduced penetration of the egg by sperm, reduced implantation of fertilized eggs, thickening of cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration into the upper genital tract, and slowed tubal motility, which may delay transport of sperm.1 Thus, in... 

The risk of hospitalization owing to symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease caused by gonorrheal infection is reduced in oral contraceptive users.14 While the exact protective mechanism is unknown, it is believed that thickening of the cervical mucus and/or reduction in the ability of pathogens to enter the fallopian tubes may contribute.1... 

For other plant-derived antibodies, stability was shown to be similar to mammalian counterparts. For instance, a humanized anti-herpes simplex virus monoclonal antibody (IgGl) was expressed in soybean and showed stability in human semen and cervical mucus over 24 h similar to the antibody obtained from mammalian cell culture. In addition, the plant-derived and mammalian antibodies were tested in a standard neutralization assay with no apparent differences in their ability to neutralize HSV-2. As glycans may play a role in immune exclusion mechanisms in mucus, the diffusion of these monoclonal antibodies in human cerival mucus was tested. No differences were found in terms of the prevention of vaginal HSV-2 transmission in a mouse model, i.e. the plant-derived antibody provided efficient protection against a vaginal inoculum of HSV-2 [58]. This shows that glycosylation differences do not necessarily affect efficacy. 

Pisa, I. and I. Cibulka. 1989. Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zn content in hair and cervical mucus in cattle kept in industrial area in Czechoslovakia. Ekologia (CSSR) 8 421 -432. 

Progestins thicken cervical mucus, delay sperm transport, and induce endometrial atrophy. They also block the LH surge and thus inhibit ovulation. Estrogens suppress FSH release, which may contribute to blocking the LH surge, and also stabilizes the endometrial lining and provides cycle control. 

Belsey, M. A., Eliasson, R., Gallegos, A. J., Moghissi, K. S., Paulsen, C. A. and Prasad, M. R. N. (1987). WHO laboratory manual for examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. 

Summarized in Table 2 is the sperm penetration in cervical mucus data as a function of molecular structure for various polysaccharides, with the following observations ... 

Item Polymer Class Sperm Penetration in Cervical Mucus (% of Control)... 

Ability to inhibit sperm penetration in cervical mucus [the Modified One End Test (MOET)]... 

A series of DCE-based formulations containing Igepal CO-630 Special (N9) and dextran sulfate (DS) were evaluated for in vitro contraceptive testing. Also included in the screening tests were placebos, N9, two commercial spermicidal products (Conceptrol and KY Plus), vaginal moisturizer products (KY Jelly and Replens ), and saline. Test results are summarized in Table 6. The N9-containing products exhibited similar spermicidal activity, as illustrated by the minimum effective concentration (MEC). Samples without N9 did not have spermicidal activity. DCE placebo vehicle inhibits sperm penetration into the cervical mucus, illustrated by the very low MOET values after 1 10 and 1 160 dilutions. This activity has not been reported for anionic or nonionic polymer vehicles. There are no striking differences... 

TABLE 6. Spermicidal/Cervical Mucus Blocking/Cervical Mucus Biodiffusion Activity of Various Formuiations. 

Interaction with the cervical mucus has been anticipated to be highest with cationic species [58], such as benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidene, and vantocil (polyhexamethylene biguanide). A clear exception is the water-soluble sulfated polystyrene derivative (ORE 13904) [23]. In general, sperm penetration is lower for water-soluble cationic polymers than for anionic or nonionic polymers [59]. 

Volochine, B., Cazabat, A. M., Chretien, R C., and Kuntsmann, J. M. Stmctnre of human cervical mucus from light scattering measurements. Human Reproduction 1988, 3(5), 577-582. 

Carlstedt, I. and Sheehan, J. K. Stmctnre and macromolecnlar properties of cervical mucus glycoproteins. Symposia of the Society for Experimental Biology 1989, 43, 289-316. 

Carlstedt, I., Lindgren, H., Sheehan, J. K., Uhnsten, V, and Wingerup, J. Isolation and characterization of human cervical-mucus glycoproteins. Biochem J. 1983, 211, 13-22. 

Van Kooj, R. J., Kathmann, H. J. M., and Kramer, M. F. Human cervical mucus and its mucous glycoprotein during the menstrual cycle. Fertility and Sterility 1980, 34, 226-233. 

Chantler, E., Sharma, R., and Sharman, D. Changes in cervical mucus that prevent penetration by spermatozoa. Symposia of the Socitey for Experimental Biology 1989, 43, 325-336. 

Sharman, D. A. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Manchester, U.K. (1987), The interaction of polymers with cervical mucus. 

Daily heifers, after being brought into their follicular phase by injection of prostaglandin F20, were treated with cervical mucus or urine placed on... 

Combination OCs - Combination OCs inhibit ovulation by suppressing the gonadotropins, FSH, and LH. Additionally, alterations in the genital tract, including cervical mucus (which inhibits sperm penetration) and the endometrium (which reduces the likelihood of implantation), may contribute to contraceptive effectiveness. 

These combined contraceptives seem to function by inducing feedback inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion which, in turn, inhibits the process of ovulation (Chapter 8). They also induce alterations in the endometrial tissue that may prevent implantation. Furthermore, the progestogen promotes thickening of the cervical mucus, which renders it less hospitable to sperm cells. This combination of effects is quite effective in preventing pregnancy. 

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