Antibacterial Action of Human Cervical Mucus

Abstract

Cervical mucus from 110 healthy women was examined. The mucus was introduced into 5 mm diameter holes punched in agar plates previously inoculated with staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus lysodeicticus, Sarcina lutea and Bacillus sp. Only the last 3 which are known to be lysozyme-sensitive were inhibited in a zone 10-23 mm in diameter. The cervical antibacterial substance failed to pass through a cellophane membrane and behaved like lysozyme in a number of tests. It caused a similar lytic action on susceptible bacteria when measured by a Klett photocolorimeter; sucrose protected the microorganisms against the lytic effect of both cervical mucus and lysozyme. These findings indicate that cervical mucus contains a lysozyme-like substance.