The Clinical Significance of Rheometric Measurement of Cervical Mucus Properties

Borenstein, Ρ; Apelman, Z.; Lancet, M; Ben-Hur, H; Hegesh, Emanuel; Chen, M.

doi:10.1159/000299440

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Similarly, highly viscoelastic cervical mucus has been suggested as a important factor for the low fertility rates of women with cystic fibrosis [116, 117]. Differences in viscoelastic properties also enable the differentiation of mucus with increased levels of estrogen, which increases cervical mucus production, from mucus with high levels of progesterone, which lowers cervical mucus production [118]. Similarly, infertility occurs in males with cystic fibrosis apparently because epididymal mucus becomes too viscoelastic to be transported by peristalsis, leading to blockage and atrophy of the epididymus and vas deferens [119, 120].…”

Section: Macrorheology Of Mucusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro- and macrorheology of mucus

Lai

Wang

Wirtz

et al. 2009

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

1,009

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Mucus is a complex biological material that lubricates and protects the human lungs, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, vagina, eyes, and other moist mucosal surfaces. Mucus serves as a physical barrier against foreign particles, including toxins, pathogens, and environmental ultrafine particles, while allowing rapid passage of selected gases, ions, nutrients, and many proteins. Its selective barrier properties are precisely regulated at the biochemical level across vastly different length scales. At the macroscale, mucus behaves as a non-Newtonian gel, distinguished from classical solids and liquids by its response to shear rate and shear stress, while, at the nanoscale, it behaves as a low viscosity fluid. Advances in the rheological characterization of mucus from the macroscopic to nanoscopic levels have contributed critical understanding to mucus physiology, disease pathology, and the development of drug delivery systems designed for use at mucosal surfaces. This article reviews the biochemistry that governs mucus rheology, the macro- and microrheology of human and laboratory animal mucus, rheological techniques applied to mucus, and the importance of an improved understanding of the physical properties of mucus to advancing the field of drug and gene delivery.

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