Vaginal fluids

Fig. 5.9(b) Sex differences in responsiveness to female hamster vaginal fluid (FHVS) androgen (T) effects on central transmission pathways (from Swann and Fiber, 1997). 

It is only during ejaculation that sperm are mixed with seminal fluid. The pH of vaginal fluid is normally about... 

The activity of the enzyme in cancer tissue has been measured,11 and changes in its activity in vaginal fluid have been examined as a possible diagnostic aid in cervical cancer.29 Low levels in human tissues have been associated with a storage disorder resembling Hurler s syndrome.18,183... 

Trimethoprim (a weak base) concentrates in prostatic fluid and in vaginal fluid, which are more acidic than plasma. Therefore, it has more antibacterial activity in prostatic and vaginal fluids than many other antimicrobial drugs. 

HIV spreads by contact with body fluids, and the common modes of infection include sexual intercourse and contaminated needles used for intravenous drug delivery. Previously, therapeutic use of infected blood and infected breast milk for the baby were also modes of transmission but both have declined due to better screening for blood and AIDS education of expectant mothers. The virus is carried in infected CD4+ T cells, macrophages or as free viruses in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and milk. 

For a vaginally administered drug to exert a local or systemic effect, it must possess at least some degree of solubility in vaginal fluid. It is therefore important to consider the nature of vaginal fluid and, in particular, the characteristics of vaginal fluid that may effect vaginal absorption. 

Perl, J.I., G. Milles, and Y. Shimozato. 1959. Vaginal fluid subsequent to panhysterectomy. Am... 

Lissimore, N., and D.W. Currie. 1939. Studies in vaginal fluid. Paper 1. Pathological considerations. Am or Eur J Obstet Gynecol 46 673. 

Wagner, G., and R.J. Levin. 1980. Electrolytes in vaginal fluid during the menstrual cycle of coitally active and inactive women. J Reprod Fert 60 17. 

Dusitsin, N., et al. 1967. Histidine in human vaginal fluid. Obstet Gynecol 29 125. 

Parr, E.L., M.B. Parr, and M. Thapar. 1988. A comparison of specific antibody responses in mouse vaginal fluid after immunization by various routes. J Reprod Immunol 14 165. 

The vaginal fluid is also characterized by a certain enzymatic activity due to bacterial flora and enzymes present in the secretions and in the epithelium. The external and basal cell layers of the vagina express the majority of the enzymatic activity [2,5,9]. 

Drug stability and absorption are also affected by its compatibility towards vaginal fluids (especially for pH, enzymes, and microflora) and vaginal membrane passage [5],... 

The increase in vaginal fluids due to estrogens and sexual stimulations improve the absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs on the contrary, a greater presence of mucus on the mucosal membrane slows down the contact between the drug and the absorptive epithelium [3]. Moreover, the vaginal fluids could remove and wash away the formulations from application and action site or cause an erratic drug distribution. Furthermore pH variation,... 

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