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Updated: Mar 4, 2026

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
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Menstrual Effluent Derived Immune Cell Composition Is Distinct in Women Using Contraceptives: A Pilot Study.

Aysel Gurbanova1, Anne Stoverink2, Imke M B van Wandeloo1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)
|March 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Contraceptive use impacts the uterine immune system. Combined oral contraceptives reduce endometrial Natural Killer cells, while copper IUDs increase proliferating T cells, affecting reproductive disorder research.

Keywords:
combined oral contraceptioncopper intra‐uterine deviceendometrial immune cellsmenstrual effluentuterine immune system

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gynecology

Background:

  • Menstrual effluent (ME) is crucial for studying immune-related reproductive disorders.
  • Women using contraceptives are often excluded due to unknown effects on endometrial immunity.
  • Understanding contraceptive impact is vital for inclusive scientific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if contraceptive use alters the uterine immune system.
  • To analyze differences in endometrial immune cell composition based on contraceptive method.

Main Methods:

  • ME samples collected from women using combined oral contraceptives (COC), copper intrauterine devices (IUD), or no contraceptives.
  • Immune cells isolated from ME and analyzed via flow cytometry.
  • Statistical analysis included unpaired t-tests and false discovery rate (FDR) correction.

Main Results:

  • Combined oral contraceptives (COC) users showed significantly reduced CD56brightCD16- endometrial Natural Killer (eNK) cells compared to controls.
  • Copper IUD users exhibited increased frequencies of proliferating Ki-67+CD8+ T cells versus COC users and controls.

Conclusions:

  • Contraceptive use significantly influences the uterine immune microenvironment.
  • Findings underscore the necessity of accounting for contraceptive status in reproductive immunology studies.
  • This pilot study informs future research on immune-related reproductive conditions.