[Detection of protein in cervicovaginal irrigation fluid with special reference to secretory immunoglobulin A]

Secretory immunoglobulin A is a major component of the local immune system of the female reproductive tract (S-IgA). Information on differences between S-IgA values in sexual maturity, on the one hand, and those recordable from postmenopausal women, on the other, is reported in this paper. Detection of S-IgA in the vaginal fluid of hysterectomised patients has given rise to the question for the existence of an immune system of the vagina proper. Cervicovaginal fluid rinsed from pregnant patients was examined, with comparison being made between concentrations of secretory A, G, and M immunoglobulin, pregnancy-associated alpha 2 glycoprotein, and pregnancy-specific beta 1 glycoprotein.