IgG and IgA content of vaginal fluid during the menstrual cycle

Immunoglobulin levels in cervicovaginal secretions during the menstrual cycle have not been well characterized biochemically. We determined the IgG and IgA concentrations in vaginal fluid obtained by patient self-sampling with an Ovu-Trac aspirator. Vaginal fluid IgG levels were less than 1-270 mg/dL. On the average the levels of IgG were relatively high after menstruation, declined during the ovulatory phase and remained relatively low during most of the luteal phase. The IgA levels were less than 10 mg/dL, and many samples contained IgA at our assay's lower limits of detection (microradial immunodiffusion). The preovulatory and luteal phase levels of IgG and IgA in vaginal fluid were generally lower than those reported for cervical mucus, but the ovulatory phase IgG and IgA composition was comparable between vaginal fluid and cervical mucus.