Patterns of changes in proteins in the peritoneal fluid of women during the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle

Abstract

During a laparoscopy that was performed between Day \p=n-\6and Day +9 of the cycle as related to the day of the LH peak (Day 0), the peritoneal fluid of 100 healthy female volunteers of proven fertility was collected and analysed. Peritoneal fluid volume and concentrations of total protein, albumin, \g=a\1-,\g=a\2-,\ g=b\and \g=g\-globulins, IgA, IgG, IgM, haptoglobulin, acid-\g=a\1-glycoprotein,\g=a\1-antitrypsin,\g=a\2-macroglobulin, C3-, C4-and C-reactive protein were determined. The peritoneal fluid volume and the concentrations of most proteins analysed showed an increase during the post-ovulatory phase of the period investigated. The peritoneal fluid:serum ratio of each individual protein showed a significant inverse correlation with its molecular weight. This confirms the assumption that peritoneal fluid is mainly an exudation product, most probably of ovarian origin.

The acute-phase response in endometriosis of women

“…Peritoneal fluid is mainly the result of ovarian exudation, while peritoneal exudation, follicular rupture and tubai secretion contribute only a small volume (Maathuis et al, 1978;Koninckx et al, 1980;Bouckaert et al, 1986a). The supposed inflammatory reaction secondary to endometriosis may cause an increased permeability of the subperitoneal capillaries, resulting in a change of the equilibrium between in-and outflow of fluid across the peritoneal membrane, leading to an increased peritoneal fluid volume.…”

“…The concentration of the various proteins in the peritoneal fluid depends predominantly on the hydrostatic pressure in the ovarian capillary network, the diameter of the endothelial gaps, the electrical charge of the individual proteins and their molecular weight (Bouckaert et al, 1986a). In endometriosis patients the con¬ centration of acute-phase proteins, complement factors and immunoglobulins in the abdominal cavity may be increased secondary to changes in vascular permeability.…”

Peritoneal environment, cytokines and angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of endometriosis

“…For example, peritoneal fluid volume is influenced by the stage of the menstrual cycle, increasing from an early proliferative mean value of 0.8 ml to a mean value of 18.7 ml after ovulation and decreasing again to a mean value of 5.4 ml in the late secretory phase (Bouckaert et al, 1986). This variation may be an indication of an oestrogenic effect on the permeability of vascular and peritoneal membranes (Maathuis et al, 1978).…”

Purification of a factor from human peritoneal fluid that is able to immobilize spermatozoa

“…Peritoneal fluid in women is not only the product of peritoneal transudation and secretion but also of ovarian exudation (Koninckx et al, 1980;Bouckaert et al, 1986). As there is no barrier to impede the entrance of peritoneal fluid or its constituents into the Fallopian tubes, peritoneal as well as follicular fluid may be present in the tubal micro-environment in which gamete interactions occur in vivo (Syrop and Halme, 1987;Harper, 1988;Leese, 1988).…”

“…The presence of the latter may in turn inhibit or neutralize the effect of the former, creating a sort of dynamic balance. Ovarian exudation contributes 434 to the formation of peritoneal fluid (Koninckx et al, 1980;Bouckaert et al, 1986) and follicular fluids appear to preserve or enhance sperm motility in vitro (Falcone etal, 1991). Therefore the peritoneal fluid factor stimulating or preserving sperm motility may be similar to the low MW, dialysable substance that Yanagimachi (1970) isolated from follicular fluid with the ability to stimulate hamster sperm motility.…”