Human cervical mucus: research update

  • University of California, Davis ROR
  • Sabbatsberg Hospital ROR

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 165(6 Pt 2), 1984-6

DOI 10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90559-6 PMID 1755453

Abstract

Evaluation of cervical mucus is a standard for determining the fertile period in natural family planning. Cervical mucus accepts, filters, prepares, and releases sperm for successful transport to the egg and fertilization. Recent scientific advances provide answers to how the mucus regulates fertility as its physical properties change during the menstrual cycle. Transmission electron microscopy reveals small interstices between mucus macromolecules relative to a sperm head. Thus advancing sperm must push aside or cut through the microstructure. The interstices are largest in the periovulatory phase of the cycle. Small magnetic spheres, comparable with the size of a sperm head, are now being used to study the physical properties of the mucus on the scale of individual sperm.

Topics

cervical mucus research update sperm transport fertility, cervical mucus physical properties menstrual cycle changes, Katz cervical mucus sperm interaction microstructure, transmission electron microscopy cervical mucus interstices, cervical mucus macromolecular structure sperm penetration, periovulatory cervical mucus changes natural family planning, cervical mucus fertile period evaluation NFP, sperm transport cervical mucus physical properties regulation, cervical mucus microstructure magnetic sphere rheology, mucus permeability sperm head size ovulation
PMID 1755453 1755453 DOI 10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90559-6 10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90559-6

Cite this article

Odeblad, E. (1994). *Molecular Biology of the Cyclic Changes of Cervical Mucus*.

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