Identification of Biomarkers in Cervical Mucus

Cervical mucus is a biological fluid secreted by the endocervical glandular epithelium whose quantitative and qualitative characteristics vary in response to the hormonal stimulus produced by the ovary during the woman's menstrual cycle. As a fertility factor, it performs numerous biological functions: transport, nourishment, defense and capacitation of spermatozoa, defense against pathogens of the female genital tract. The aim of this research will be to deepen the knowledge of the biochemical characteristics of cervical mucus, in particular to perform characterization by infrared spectroscopy, for the identification of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for disorders affecting the female reproductive system. A healthy control population and a cohort of patients affected by unexplained infertility will be enrolled for the longitudinal study of the menstrual cycle with ultrasound and hormonal monitoring and serial sampling of cervical mucus.