Open AccessTrefoil factor peptide 3 is positively correlated with the viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug
Author(s) -
Bastholm Sara K.,
Samson Mie H.,
Becher Naja,
Hansen Lea K.,
Stubbe Peter R.,
Chronakis Ioannis S.,
Nexo Ebba,
Uldbjerg Niels
Publication year - 2017
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 - 10.1111/aogs.13038
Subject(s) - mucus , viscoelasticity , medicine , rheometer , gastroenterology , materials science , composite material , biology , rheology , ecology
The viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug are considered essential for the occlusion of the cervical canal and thereby for protection against ascending infections during pregnancy. Factors controlling this property are virtually unknown. This study explores a possible role of trefoil factor peptides 1, 2 and 3 ( TFF 1–3); peptides believed to influence mucus viscosity. Material and methods The study is based on spontaneously shed cervical mucus plugs from 14 women in active labor. The viscoelastic properties; the elastic modulus ( G' ) and the viscous modulus ( G” ) were determined by an oscillatory rheometer. The concentrations of TFF 1–3 were measured by an in‐house enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Associations were analyzed by random‐effects generalized least‐squares regression analyses. Results Median (range) concentrations of TFF 1, TFF 2 and TFF 3 were 3.1 (1.2–8.6), 1.1 (<0.006–3.7) and 1000 (170–5300) nmol/g cervical mucus plug, respectively. The TFF 3 concentration was associated with G' (regression coefficient 11.7 Pa/Log n m ; 95% CI 3.0–20.4, p = 0.009) and G” (regression coefficient 3.2 Pa/Log n m ; 95% CI 1.5–5.0, p < 0.001). Conclusion We suggest that TFF 3 plays a role in the viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug.