Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Recent studies report the presence of KLK₃ in women serum, KLK₃ is excreted by Skene glands, it is involved in the production of cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF). Activation of KLK₃ is pH depending, it has been hypothesized to have antimicrobial, immuno-regulator activity and vaginal and cervical epithelial desquamation. We intend to verify if KLK₃ is present in female serum, in which menstrual cycle phases KLK₃ increases and its main role.

Materials and methods: They were enrolled voluntary young women aged between 21 and 44 years with specific requirements: no professionally exposed, no alcohol, no smoking, no drugs, no use of oral contraceptives for at least 2 years and regular menstrual cycles.To the participants was asked the age of the menarche, if they are nulliparous/multiparous and if they have had spontaneous/volunteer abortions. BMI (body mass index) and the Ferriman-Gallwey score were calculated. Blood samples were taken in three periods of the cycle (days: 5/6; 12/13; 19/20) for the plasma assay of total KLK₃ and in the third sample the Progesterone test was performed. The method used is ‘Access Hybritech PSA’ test. The total KLK₃ values are expressed in ng/ml.

Results: KLK₃ showed a non-homogeneous behaviour, in fact out of 82 participants, 27, equal to 32.9%, can’t be measured in any of the three samples, 55, equal to 67.1% gave values measurable. The comparison of total KLK₃ values with the anamnestic data and semeiotic evaluations didn’t give significant correlations. We subdivided the Progesterone values into two bands: band A with Progesterone values > 14.5 ng/ml and Band B with Progesterone values < 14.5 ng/ml. In band B, from the values of the first sample there is a decrease in the second sample and then a constant decrease in the third one. Instead in band A, there is a continuous increase. The curve of the total KLK₃ values for multiparas is comparable to that of Progesterone (band A). This could demonstrate an interaction between the total KLK₃ and Progesterone.

Conclusion: The transition between the ovulatory and the lutein phase is the key to understanding the quality of ovulation. Measuring KLK₃ in the days before ovulation, it would give us indications on how ovulation will be. KLK₃ values variation, as in the Profile A, indicates an excellent ovulation that could be different from the one with decreasing values (Profile B). In fact, the curve of KLK₃ in Profile A is comparable with that of the multiparas.