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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: This study examines the changes occurring during a normal menstrual cycle to the endocervical epithelial cells producing mucin, the main component of cervical mucus. Histochemical studies showed that both acid mucins and neutral mucins were produced by the same cells, but that the quantity produced varied through the cycle. The amount of neutral mucin produced was found to be greater in the periovulatory period, while acid mucin was found to be made up of sialomucins and carboxylated and sulfated mucins; acid mucins also showed variations in quantity throughout the menstrual cycle. These changes can be of great significance, since it is well known that cervical mucus acts as a medium of support and transport of spermatozoa near the time of ovulation, but becomes increasingly nonreceptive to spermatozoa during the postovulatory period.
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