Cervical mucus plug
[1] The cervical mucus plug (CMP) acts as a protective barrier by deterring the passage of bacteria into the uterus, and contains a variety of antimicrobial agents, including immunoglobulins, and similar antimicrobial peptides to those found in nasal mucus.The CMP inhibits the migration of vaginal bacteria towards the uterus, protecting against opportunistic infections that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and the onset of preterm labor.
Ensuring the presence and proper function of the CMP is essential in reducing severe infections and promoting overall reproductive health.
[2] Having intercourse or a vaginal examination can also disturb the mucus plug and cause a pregnant individuals to see some blood-tinged discharge, even when labor does not begin over the next few days.
[1] A cervical mucus plug can allow for identification of an individual's ovulation cycle and serve as fertility indicator.
The cervical mucus plug proteome changes throughout an individual's menstrual cycle and allows for identification of specific proteins that may represent different stages of ovulation.
[2] Mucus within the genital tract serves numerous biological functions such as maintaining mucosa moisture, providing lubrication during intercourse, supporting fertility, and restricting ascending sperm cells during ovulation.
It displays potent antimicrobial properties against bacteria such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus pyogenes, and S. agalactiae.
During the follicular phase, increasing levels of estrogen result in greater mucus volume and gradual reduction in thickness.
Ovulation triggers significant surges in mucus levels due to high expression of MUC5B which creates a watery consistency that aids sperm mobility into the reproductive tract.
[1] Elevated progesterone plasma levels induce cervical mucus to form a more viscous plug called the CMP.
[8] Lactobacillus plays an important role in maintaining the vaginal PH by producing lactic acids that protects against infections.
A healthy vaginal microbiota plays a crucial role in preventing various urogenital infections including sexually transmitted diseases.
The lactate generated by lactobacilli elevates the thickness of cervical mucus, creating a barrier that entangles viral particles and hinders papillomavirus from reaching basal keratinocytes, which plays an important role in protection.
