Proteomic Markers in Cervical Mucus

Fernandez-Hermida Y, Yolanda Fernandez-Hermida, Giuseppe Grande, Menarguez M, Micaela Menarguez, Anna Laura Astorri, Astorri AL, Azagra R, Rafael Azagra
Protein and peptide letters · 2018 · vol. 25(5) , pp. 463–471 · doi:10.2174/0929866525666180418122705 · PMID:29667544
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This review highlights cervical mucus as a fertility predictor and potential source of proteomic biomarkers, noting that specific proteins identified in endometriosis patients could serve as disease markers.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by qwen3.7-flash, 2026-09-10 · read from full text ⓘ

This review examines the physicochemical properties and functions of cervical mucus, highlighting its utility as a clinical marker for female fertility. The authors note that while cervical mucus observation reliably predicts fertile days, proteomic changes throughout the menstrual cycle are not yet fully understood due to limited research on constitutive protein composition. Despite this gap in general knowledge, the paper identifies specific proteins within the cervical mucus of patients with endometriosis that may serve as potential biomarkers for the disease. Relevance to endometriosis: the paper explicitly mentions the identification of potential proteomic biomarkers in the cervical mucus of patients affected by endometriosis, although the primary focus remains on cervical mucus physiology and fertility rather than the pathology of the condition itself.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cervical Mucus (CM) is a viscous fluid produced by the secretory cells of the cervical crypts. The CM undergoes modifications throughout the cycle that make it have different biochemical and biophysical characteristics, becoming a crucial element for the identification of ovulation. Since CM is rich in secreted proteins, it may represent moreover a source of biomarkers for female reproductive tract diseases. OBJECTIVE: This review is an attempt to collect relevant knowledge about the physicochemical properties and functions of the cervical mucus, including its important role as a clinical marker of female fertility, and draws attention to CM as a source of potential proteomic biomarkers. FINDINGS: All the assessed studies evidenced that the observation of the CM allows the identification of the days with the highest probability of pregnancy. CM proteome changes throughout the menstrual cycle have been revealed. Few proteomic studies on the constitutive protein composition of CM of fertile women have been conducted to date. In the CM of patients affected by endometriosis have been identified some proteins that could represent potential biomarkers of the disease. CONCLUSION: There is still limited knowledge about the physicochemical properties and functions of the CM and how these undergo to changes during menstrual cycle. CM is a reliable predictor of fertility. Further characterization of CM proteins would contribute to a better understanding of the key role they have on fertility, reproduction and biological regulation. CM may represent moreover a source of biomarkers for gynecological diseases.
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Abstract

Objective: This review is an attempt to collect relevant knowledge about the physicochemical properties and functions of the cervical mucus, including its important role as a clinical marker of female fertility, and draws attention to CM as a source of potential proteomic biomarkers. Findings: All the assessed studies evidenced that the observation of the CM allows the identification of the days with the highest probability of pregnancy. CM proteome changes throughout the menstrual cycle have been revealed. Few proteomic studies on the constitutive protein composition of CM of fertile women have been conducted to date. In the CM of patients affected by endometriosis have been identified some proteins that could represent potential biomarkers of the disease.

Conclusion

There is still limited knowledge about the physicochemical properties and functions of the CM and how these undergo to changes during menstrual cycle. CM is a reliable predictor of fertility. Further characterization of CM proteins would contribute to a better understanding of the key role they have on fertility, reproduction and biological regulation. CM may represent moreover a source of biomarkers for gynecological diseases.

Keywords

Cervical mucus, reproduction, nfp, fertility awareness, proteomic, markers.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cervix Mucus Endometriosis Proteome Proteomics Proteomics Animals Animals Biomarkers Biomarkers Biomarkers Cervix Mucus Cervix Mucus Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Female Fertility Fertility Humans Humans

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