Impact of the menstrual cycle and ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel contraceptive vaginal ring on granulysin and other mucosal immune mediators.

ABSTRACT:

Problem

Changes in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle and contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) use influence immunity within the female genital tract, but the magnitude of these effects and their anatomical location are unclear.

Method of study

In a prospective study, 29 women were assessed at three-time points: follicular phase, luteal phase, and one month after initiation of the ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel CVR (NuvaRing®, Merck). We performed microarrays on endocervical cytobrushes and measured immune mediators in cervicovaginal fluid, adjusting for bacterial vaginosis and the presence of blood. We compared these results to public gene expression data from the fallopian tubes, endometrium, endo- and ectocervix, and vagina.

Results

Immune-related gene expression

SUBMITTER: Hughes SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8298277 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature