Guaiacol peroxidase levels in human cervical mucus: a possible predictor of ovulation

Prevalence of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus species in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis

A predominance of Lactobacillus species in the vaginal flora is considered normal. In women with bacterial vaginosis, the prevalence and concentrations of intravaginal Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobes are increased, whereas the prevalence of intravaginal Lactobacillus species is decreased. Because some lactobacilli are known to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which can be toxic to organisms that produce little or no H2O2-scavenging enzymes (e.g., catalase), we postulated that an absence of H2O2-producing Lactobacillus species could allow an overgrowth of catalase-negative organisms, such as those found among women with bacterial vaginosis. In this study, H2O2-producing facultative Lactobacillus species were found in the vaginas of 27 (96%) of 28 normal women and 4 (6%) of 67 women with bacterial vaginosis (P less than 0.001). Anaerobic Lactobacillus species (which do not produce hydrogen peroxide) were isolated from 24 (36%) of 67 women with bacterial vaginosis and 1 (4%) of 28 normal women (P less than 0.001). The production of H2O2 by Lactobacillus species may represent a nonspecific antimicrobial defense mechanism of the normal vaginal ecosystem.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, intrauterine contraception, and the conduct of epidemiologic studies

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has been described in the medical literature for more than a century as a specific entity. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Mycoplasma hominis, along with Bacteroides fragilis and other anaerobic bacteria, have been most frequently associated with PID. Factors affecting the occurrence of PID have been extensively studied during the past two decades and include number of sexual partners, age, race, socioeconomic status, education, and contraceptive method. As knowledge concerning factors that contribute to PID increases, epidemiologic studies addressing such issues must become increasingly sophisticated, and the literature needs to be re-evaluated in light of present knowledge. Various risk factors for PID, types of epidemiologic studies, methods for conducting such studies, and data interpretation are reviewed.

Cervical mucus peroxidase is a reliable indicator for ovulation in humans

This study was designed to establish whether fluctuation in cervical mucus peroxidase concentration correlates with the cyclic pattern of the menstrual cycle hormones in the human female. Forty healthy, normal-cycling women between the ages of 19 and 29 years were chosen for the study. Blood samples and cervical mucus were collected on days 6, 9 through 15, and 17 through 19 of the menstrual cycle for three consecutive cycles in each volunteer. Blood estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were quantitated by radioimmunoassay, and cervical mucus peroxidase concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically. The data showed that in the typical menstrual cycle the mucus peroxidase peak was reached immediately prior to the luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone surge and coincided with the estrogen peak. Consistent data in three consecutive menstrual cycles in each volunteer led us to postulate that the mucus peroxidase peak during the menstrual cycle precedes the ovulatory period in the normal healthy woman.

Effect on peroxidase activity and specific binding of the hormone 17 beta-oestradiol and rat salivary glands

The effect was studied on immature and adult female rats. Oestradiol, given either once (10 micrograms) or three times (3 X 10 micrograms) subcutaneously significantly retarded the total weight gain of immature rats whereas, at the same time, the weight of the uteri increased several fold. The weights of neither salivary nor lacrimal glands were dependent on oestradiol. The activity of the peroxidase enzyme, a marker of oestrogen-responsive tissues, increased significantly in the rat uteri but had no effect on lacrimal peroxidase. The levels of rat salivary peroxidase increased during oestradiol administration with considerable differences between various glands. The increase in peroxidase activities could not be explained by changes in the total protein content but seemed to be specific for this enzyme. Experiments using [3H]-oestradiol indicated specific binding to uterus, parotid and submandibular glands. It is concluded that rat salivary glands are oestrogen-responsive.