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Scanner electron microscopy of the cervical mucus
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Cervical mucus fibrillar structure changes cyclically. During ovulation, a less dense, open network forms, while the rest of the cycle features a dense, thick, less elastic mesh.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Cervical mucus plays a crucial role in reproduction.
- Its physical properties, particularly fibrillar structure, change throughout the menstrual cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cyclical changes in cervical mucus fibrillar structure.
- To correlate structural changes with different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized.
- Microscopic analysis of cervical mucus samples from different cycle phases.
Main Results:
- During ovulation, a large, open, and less dense fibrillar network composed of 500-5000 Å microfibers was observed, with spaces up to 40 μm.
- In other cycle phases, the mesh became dense, with thicker and less elastic fibers.
Conclusions:
- Cervical mucus exhibits distinct cyclical structural transformations.
- These changes in fibrillar network density and fiber elasticity are likely critical for reproductive function.