Cyclical changes in volatile acidic metabolites of human vaginal secretions and their relation to ovulation

Abstract

The major volatile constituents in human vaginal secretions were identified. Data collected during the course of 29 cycles from 9 subjects showed that the nature and abundance of the vaginal organic constituents differed with respect to subject. Only 3 of 9 subjects investigated consistently had C3-C5 aliphatic acids; acetic acid was present in all subjects. Lactic acid was the major acidic compound consistently found in the vaginal secretion of all subjects near the time of ovulation. Cyclical changes in the acidic constituents were demonstrated. © 1975 Plenum Publishing Corporation.