Open AccessThe cervical mucus plug: Structured review of the literature
Author(s) -
BECHER NAJA,
WALDORF KRISTINA ADAMS,
HEIN MERETE,
ULDBJERG NIELS
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340902852898
Subject(s) - mucus , medicine , cervix , mucin , spark plug , immunology , cervical mucus , pathology , biology , ecology , cancer , engineering , aerospace engineering
The cervical mucus plug is a large, complex structure within the cervical canal that is shed shortly before or during labor. We propose that the cervical mucus plug fulfills critical ‘gate‐keeper’ functions based on its physical and immunologic properties, which help prevent ascending infection and preterm labor. The viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug are determined by mucins (large glycoproteins), which can inhibit viral replication and exclude larger molecules and bacteria by preventing their diffusion through the plug. Furthermore, the innate and adaptive immunological properties of the cervical mucus plug are well suited for arresting bacterial infection by stimulating a robust inflammatory response. A possible association between an impaired gate‐keeper function of the cervical mucus plug and preterm birth is discussed.