The cytokine profile of menstrual blood
Crona Guterstam Y, Strunz B, Ivarsson MA, et al.Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica · 2021DOI 10.1111/aogs.13990
In plain language
Menstrual blood plasma from 19 healthy donors, collected in the first 24 hours of menstruation, was compared with matched peripheral blood plasma. Its cytokine profile was distinctly different, with high IL-6, IL-1β and CXCL8, similar between donors and stable over two cycles.
What it means
Independent evidence that menstrual blood is not simply peripheral blood. Its distinct cytokine profile makes it useful for studying menstrual cycle physiology.
What it does not show
Nineteen healthy young women and liquid menstrual blood; it describes normal physiology and does not test any disorder or dried sample.
How to cite
Crona Guterstam Y, Strunz B, Ivarsson MA, Zimmer C, Melin A, Jonasson AF, et al. The cytokine profile of menstrual blood. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2021;100(2):339-346. doi:10.1111/aogs.13990