Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of menstrual cycle: From biochemical changes to diagnostics of vaginal infections

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2024-06, Vol.409, p.135571, Article 135571
• Main Authors: Berus, Sylwia M., Młynarczyk-Bonikowska, Beata, Przedpełska, Grażyna, Szymborski, Tomasz, Kamińska, Agnieszka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chemometric analysis; menstrual blood; menstrual cycle; menstrual spotting; SERS; Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy; vaginal fluid; vaginal infection
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2024.135571

Analysis of vaginal fluid is essential for the diagnosis of cervical cancer, various infections and the increasingly common infertility as well. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is an ultrasensitive technique, provides information from the molecular level of the analysed system and together with chemometric methods, can be a perfect diagnostic tool. However, the variety of processes naturally occurring during the menstrual cycle has a definite impact on the biochemistry of vaginal swabs. This study adopted SERS to track the biochemical changes recorded in spectra of analysed clinical entities during two menstrual cycles. Using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) technique, we demonstrated the spectral information typical for three types of body fluid: menstrual blood (MB), menstrual spotting (MS) and vaginal fluid (VF). The hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can be reflected in SERS spectra and allow distinction between the fertile and infertile phases. Significantly larger data separation was observed due to infection rather than hormonal fluctuation. These results give a firm foundation for the diagnosis of vaginal infections regardless of the menstrual cycle’s day. •The time-dependent analysis of the menstrual cycle provides the spectral insight into the composition of vaginal secretions.•The SERS-PLSR approach allows effective fertile/infertile phase separation due to changes in circulating biomolecules levels.•An ongoing infection can be recognised by the presence of 730, 1330, 1456 cm-1 bands on the vaginal fluid’s SERS spectra.•Vaginal infections lead to a more significant spectral effect than the menstrual cycle does.