LAS ENZIMAS CERVICOVAGINALES COMO PARÁMETROS PREOVULATORIOS

Abstract

1. STRUCTURED SUMMARY. 1.1 Rationale. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the interest of women and couples in identifying the fertile window for the purpose of conceiving. The determination of a pre-ovulatory biochemical parameter that allows the precise and anticipated identification of the moment in which ovulation occurs would allow the identification of the combined fertility window to be more precise. 1.2 Hypothesis. The enzyme lysozyme, an agent belonging to the general immunity of the body, together with other enzymes that are present in the Cervical Mucus (MC), behave as pre-ovulatory biochemical parameters that can identify precisely and in advance the moment in which the ovulation occurs. 1.3 Objectives. Main objective - Analyze the variations in the abundance of the lysozyme enzyme in MC during the first days of the menstrual cycle. Secondary Objectives - (1) Analyze the variations of the proteins present in the MC during the first days of the menstrual cycle. - (2) Identify possible biomarkers of ovulation. - (3) Detect the presence of Z precursor cells in MC samples observed under the light microscope and analyze possible differences in the protein composition of the samples in which it is present. 1.4 Material and Methods. MC samples are collected from the lumen of the cervical canal from women of reproductive age, on three different days of the same cycle. The samples have been analyzed and classified first by light microscopy. Subsequently, high resolution mass spectrometry analysis and bioinformatic analysis were performed to determine the in vivo changes of MC protein composition. 1.5 Main results. The MC underwent cyclical changes in its biophysical composition that were evidenced by changes in the crystallographic patterns observed under the light microscope. Additionally, the proteomic analysis revealed changes in the protein composition of MC during the cycle. Variations in the protein composition of MC proteins in the ovulatory phase included a significant decrease in the abundance of immunoglobulins and other proteins involved in defense. The proteomic analysis of the samples of the present study has allowed the identification of 48 proteins. Of which 26 may be capable of becoming pre-ovulatory parameters, biomarkers of ovulation. The microscopic study allowed the identification of precursor Z cells produced by the glands of the uterine isthmus. 1.6 Conclusions. Conclusion on the main objective. - The enzyme lysozyme experienced a significant decrease in its MC's abundance during the first days of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion on secondary objective 1. - The analysis of the variations in the abundance of cervical proteins during the first days of the menstrual cycle, showed a significant decrease in the abundance of eighteen proteins and a significant increase in eight proteins. Conclusion on secondary objective 2. - Lysozyme, an agent belonging to the general immunity of the body, present in CM, could be considered, along with others, a possible biomarker of ovulation. Conclusion on secondary objective 3. - The presence of Z precursor cells is detected in one of the MC samples observed under the light microscope. Differences in the composition of the samples were identified. In the group of samples in which the Z precursor cells were present, the presence of proteins whose abundance was significantly high was evidenced.

Date of Award	9 Jul 2021
Original language	Spanish
Supervisor	Rafael Azagra Ledesma (Director)